Nature Based Learning | Kew Kids Forest School

Robert Frost

“When I see birches bend to left and right...I like to think some boy's been swinging them.”

Our Team: Quote

Achievements/Interests:

Proud mom to 2 boys, 9 and 6 years old
Super Steward and Trail Maintainer, NYC Parks
Tree Captain, NYC Parks
Nature Unplugged Advocate
Outdoor Teacher Retreat Participant, Association for Nature-Based Education
Health & Safety Training, NYS Office of Children and Family Services
Outdoor adventure seeker and traveler
Health and fitness enthusiast
Project Management Professional
MBA

JESSICA HALSRUDD

Founding Director

As a girl growing up in suburban Taiwan, I loved to explore outdoors, often playing in the nearby trails and creeks. I wandered those woods even in my dreams. Later, some of those fields became construction sites where my sister and I would play for hours in the mud. Looking back, this all seems like another world.

Within the space of a few decades, the way children understand and experience nature has changed radically. For the new generation, nature is more abstraction than reality, something to watch, to consume, to wear—to ignore or fear. So often, I've observed kids looking at screens, oblivious to the landscape around them. I've also heard the parks nearby viewed as dirty, dangerous and something to avoid.

Now that I have children of my own, I am even more aware of the increasing divide between the young and the natural world, and the environmental, social, psychological and spiritual implications of that change. The accumulating research confirms the necessity of contact with nature for healthy child and adult development. Our community, so close to Forest Park, yet lacks a nature education option for our little ones. It is my hope that with our forest school, we’d be able to get our children in direct contact with nature and back on the trails.

Our mothers were right when they told us, day after day, ‘go out and play.’

Our Team: TeamMember

SAADIQUA ALI

Lead Teacher

Achievements/Interests:

Proud mom to a 12-year old daughter
Avid makeup artist and gardener
Enjoy camping and travel with family
Currently enrolled in University of Maine baccalaureate program in liberal arts

I was born and raised in the beautiful island of Trinidad and Tobago which is well known for its rich ethnic diversity, racial harmony and excellence across a wide variety of artforms. It’s the birthplace of steelpan, the limbo, a variety of music styles and the home to the oldest rainforest reserve in the Western Hemisphere with over 400 species of birds.

My grandparents were in the farming industry and I remembered how exciting it was going out in the fields climbing trees, running around in the rain, playing tag with my cousins and the neighbors kids, picking fresh fruits and eating them on the spot. We also had a pond with fishes which we would occasionally splash around in. My love for nature started then! Our neighbors houses were our second homes, feeling the love, affection and safety as if we were their own. I always helped watch the little ones when my neighbors had to run errands. I was everyone's big sister in my neighborhood and I believe this played a huge part in how nurturing, affectionate and caring I am.

When I moved to New York, yes it was hard at first, I had to get use to winter and not being outdoors as much. To help me adjust to this new lifestyle my siblings would always plan camping trips throughout the year which we still do till this day. I quickly became the favorite Aunt as I took care of all my nieces and nephews as my siblings worked. Eventually, I started working as a babysitter for many years until I became a mom of my beautiful kind-hearted daughter who loves nature as much as I do. Almost everyday in the summer we would go on picnics and we would visit the beach and sink our toes into the sand even in the winter. Just take deep breaths and become one with nature, it works wonders for your mental and physical wellbeing.

I am grateful for the opportunity to relive my childhood through learning and exploring with the wonderful kids at Kew Kids while making new memories along the way.

Achievements/Interests:

Proud dad to a grown son
Orton-Gillingham Associate in training.
Certified Forest Therapy Guide and experienced Outdoor Nature Teacher
Forest Therapy (Forest Bathing) Guide for adults in the New York Botanical Garden
Waldorf Elementary School teacher (Sunbridge Institute)
Masters in Library Science at St. John's University
Masters in Educational Theater at NYU

MICHAEL CUNNINGHAM

Lead Teacher (Central Park)

Born in Long Island I spend much of my time outdoors, mostly playing games with other kids in the neighborhood. My family also spent many summers camping. I have continued the tradition, getting my son involved with Scouting. My favorite place to be outdoors is in my vacation home in Vermont.

Last year I retired as a NYC High School Librarian with over 25 years of experience. I am a certified Forest Therapy Guide and experienced Outdoor Nature Teacher trained as a Waldorf Elementary School teacher. I was drawn to Waldorf education because it combined a lot of interests I had: drama, art, the outdoors and had elements of yoga/eastern philosophy. One of my favorite classes is Biodynamic farming. I returned to the school after graduating to take a year long Biodynamic farming class. I used some of the methods in a small garden (raised bed)I have in Queens.

I think the most valuable thing for Waldorf is the idea that the teacher should help lead the student toward their mission in life. Also, that each child has a unique temperament. I feel that the most valuable thing I can do as a teacher is to offer opportunities for imaginative play. I learned that play, music, art and mindfulness are the best ways to teach meditation to children in the busy hectic world we live in.

As an outdoor educator, I have worked in spectacular settings like Central Park as well as Battery Park near the ferry to the Statue of Liberty with ages ranging from 4 years to 10 years old. The most memorable moment for me was at a camp when volunteers who were working with the bee hive offered us a taste of honey. It was delicious!

I like to do yoga and also like to write, mostly poetry. Some of my poems have been published. I also won an award for a poem that I wrote. Here is a link to a poem that is currently published in The Field Guide magazine.

I feel drawn to Kew Kids and the Waldorf education philosophy it espouses and look forward to amazing discoveries outdoors.

Lead Teacher

Achievements/Interests:

Proud mom of a teenage daughter and 2 boys 11 and 9 years old
Love cooking and baking
Enjoys outdoor activities such as camping, fishing, hiking and exploring
Over 15 years experience as a childcare provider
Skincare/makeup enthusiast & Instagram influencer/content creator

I grew up in the small yet beautiful Caribbean island of Trinidad and Tobago, known for its lush greenery, an array of flora and fauna, a wealth of history, and not forgetting its beautiful tropical climate which undoubtedly allowed me to enjoy being outdoors at any point in time. Growing up in this beautiful island taught me to love and learn so much about nature which allowed me to acquire a mass of knowledge and appreciation for what it is like to have beautiful climate and sunshine all year round.

I grew up with my siblings playing in muddy puddles, trotting around barefooted. Some of my favorite outdoor activities were playing cricket, fishing, camping and planting our own vegetables and herbs. As a mother now, these are the same memories I am making with my children.

When I moved to New York my first job was in childcare. It kindled my loved for teaching young minds, helping them to learn and grow. With over 15 years experience in childcare, I intend to grow and learn as I go along as every experience is a stepping stone towards a bright future.

I embrace this new adventure with open arms, looking forward to spending time in nature and enjoying being outdoors whilst shaping the young minds that will be our future!

ANNMARIE SINGH

JASON GLOVER

Teacher

Through meditation, guidance at a young age, and high levels of discipline, I've obtained a very high level of patience and happiness that will aid me in my role towards the future development of the children here at Kew Kids Forest School.

From a young age, I started helping my mom around her dance studio, which included helping to teach children how to dance, going on recitals and performing outside of the dance studio, etc. I have been dancing, singing, acting, or any form of expression through the arts for around a decade. I am currently going to college for Theater (although I am thinking about switching to music) and I graduated from high school with advanced diploma for the arts. I hope that in my time here, I can help them to express themselves through more means than words alone.

Achievements/Interests:

Student at LaGuardia Community College
Professional dancer and performer
Self taught flute player
Self taught Mandarin Chinese

Teacher

ISABEL SAOU

I was born in Queens and at the age of seven moved to Spain, at the age of eleven moved to Ireland and finally, at the age of 15 I moved back to Queens New York. My family are Algerian, and our family house is in the mountains of Kabile where my dad, uncles and aunties all grew up on an olive farm with goats, cows and plenty of wildlife. I always had a profound love for children inspired by spending months on vacation to stay with my family there, no Wi-Fi, no service, sometimes no electricity or water even and yet I never felt more alive. Because there was incredible joy from my little cousins playing around in the trees, hearing their laughter, running around with them, waking up in the morning and being taught by the kids how to milk goats. This is what felt like home.

These trips really impacted me, and made me rethink what I wanted to pursue in life. After caring for children as provider and working with the Build-a-Bear Workshop, I decided to explore
a way to work with children that does not involve shopping malls. That's when I found Kew Kids which seamlessly integrates nature and children. It is perfectly what is needed in this wired world--to help future generations learn wildly and learn from them at the same time!

Achievements/Interests:

Current student at Hunter College Associates degree in music performance from LaGuardia Community College
Singer/performer
Draw/painting
Fashion and Hello Kitty enthusiast
Proud to have a total of 26 cousins between France and Algeria
Fluent in Spanish and proficient in French and almost fluent in Tamazight (North African language)

Achievements/Interests:

Lead Teacher in Escuela Waldorf De Monterrey in Mexico
Received Waldorf certification in 2012 at Association of Waldorf - AWSNA - Mexico
Member of American Montessori Society

OLGA RESENDIZ

Teacher

Originally from Monterrey, Mexico, I have a deep-rooted love for nature and exploring the surrounding mountains through hiking. With more than two decades of experience in teaching, I have honed my expertise in Montessori and Waldorf education methods. Alongside my teaching career, I possess proficiency in various crafts, including the intricate art of crafting fabric dolls. However, my greatest joy lies in teaching Spanish, a language that reflects the rich cultural heritage of my homeland. Through my teaching, I aim not only to impart linguistic skills but also to share the vibrant traditions and diverse perspectives of Spanish-speaking cultures.

I am excited to join Kew Kids and combine all of my passions and make fantastic summer memories that we will cherish forever.

Gardener and Teacher

JOANNA LACEY

Achievements/Interests:

Trained geologist
Super Steward and Trail Maintainer, NYC Parks
Avid gardener

My brand is "Joanna the Green Maven." To be a Maven you must really be passionate about something whether it's food, fashion, or in my case, nature and the environment. I have been writing nature articles, tips and blogs for over 30 years, volunteering and leading nature projects, and working in the community gardens. That is my happy place.

As a Woodlands Crew Leader at Prospect Park in Brooklyn, my job was to direct teams of volunteers and school groups in projects designed to help restore the park to its native, eastern woodlands state. Projects such as clean-up, planting and mulching were my specialty. As a Head Explainer at the New York Hall of Science, I worked with young children to explain and demonstrate exhibits and lead workshops that taught science concepts like mirrors, prisms, kaleidoscopes and light, shadows, and sound as themes. I remember fondly a video microscope demonstration which projected the view from the scope onto a screen. The subject of our observations was microscopic pond life.

Growing up in the era before technology took over gives me a unique insight on how to connect children with the world around them. There was no science camp or scheduled play dates for us and no internet. We were told to go out and play, and that was all year round. We played with piles of leaves, we made snowmen, we caught fireflies and we drew games like hopscotch in chalk on the sidewalk. I would love to see today’s kids do those things again.

Achievements/Interests:

Proud mother of a 19 year old daughter
Peaceful nature observer
Enjoy organizing family cooking events

NASIMA CHOWDHURY

Teacher

I was born and grew up in Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh. After completing my education in the city I embarked on a journey to the village with the purpose of educating the marginalized children residing there, determined to make a meaningful difference. I devoted three years to nurturing young minds in the heart of our village. In the village I enjoyed the fresh air, the sense of community, and the opportunity to connect more closely with nature.

As a dedicated member of local NGO named PPHEDO (Poor People Health and Educational Development Program) in Bangladesh from 2000 to 2002, I served as a Field Supervisor focused on raising awareness about nutrition for lactating mothers and children within daycare settings. Through targeted awareness campaigns and educational initiatives, we successfully increased knowledge and adoption of nutritious diets among lactating mothers and children in our community. Additionally, our efforts led to a measurable decrease in malnutrition rates among this vulnerable population.

My journey in childcare has been deeply rewarding, and I am passionate about creating a positive impact on the lives of children. I strongly believe in the power of building strong foundations through play-based learning. By providing hands-on experiences, encouraging curiosity, and fostering a sense of wonder, I ignite a love for learning in every child. Above all, I cherish the unique interests and personalities of each child in my care. My goal is to create a warm, nurturing environment where every child feels valued, supported, and free to explore the world around them.

SHATHI DAS

Teacher

Achievements/Interests:

Proud mom to 18 year old daughter and 13 year old son
Cooking
Gardening
Reading
Love to take long walks in nature

As a young girl I used to play in the crystal clear lakes and climb the vibrant green trees. It molded me to who I am today. I enjoy spending time with children and being outside in nature. I feel nature is therapy for those who seek it .

Spending my whole life in Bangladesh, I have come to appreciate the beauty of nature. There are ten months in the summer and two months of winter. I especially cherish my time in the gardens planting mangoes, lychees, coconuts and many nuts! Gardening is hard work but I find great happiness in harvesting my crops.

Kew Kids has brought me back to my young days and it makes me feel truly happy to be part of this wonderful program .

Achievements/Interests:

Third Year Cinema Studies, University of Oregon
CYO Camp Counselor for 4 years
CPR/AED/First Aid and American Red Cross Lifeguard Certified
Surfing and skateboarding
Cooking and baking
Drawing and journaling
Camping and hiking
Meditation

MAKILEY MALONEY

Teacher

I was born and raised in San Francisco, California after my family uprooted their whole life and left the Upper West Side in New York City for the pursuit of a less busy atmosphere. Growing up in San Francisco, I spent a majority of my time hiking outdoors with my family and stayed each summer at overnight camp building forts and adorning myself with mud makeup and flower crowns. Shifting our focus to the present day, I am still connecting and exploring the natural world by walking around barefoot whenever possible and foraging for mushrooms while working at the same camp that I attended throughout my youth.

As a camp counselor, I created a space to enable campers to experience a positive, meaningful, and challenging adventures. I gave campers the opportunity to develop self-confidence while making new friends and taking on new challenges as they progress from year to year. I encouraged every child to expand their comfort zone to try new activities and build their own communication and leadership skills.

If a child had never attended outdoor education in the first place, they would never be able to grasp the serenity and connection to one’s primal and fundamental sense of self that comes with sleeping under the stars, submerging yourself within a cold creek, or feeling your fingers and toes in the mud while picking flowers. My experience in outdoor education with children has been the most rewarding experience of my life, and I can only hope to repay the lessons learned by passing on the knowledge to help inspire the next generation of environmentalists and nature lovers at Kew Kids Forest School.