Mica Whitmire | Teacher

Mica has worked with children and young adults for over ten years as a counselor, caregiver, facilitator, and teacher. He particularly likes helping young children be aware of their feelings, speak their needs in clear and kind ways, and using silliness, play, and roleplaying to work with deeper issues in a fun and productive way. He is a trained permaculturalist and gardener, musician, storyteller, poet, and performer, and is initiated with the Mankind Project of Asheville. He advocates for social, ecological, and economic justice in the world, and is dedicated to practicing a life where all beings are treated with respect, affection, and care.

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Eliza apprentices herself to the beauty in nature, Earthly cycles and tending plants. She delights in sharing these passions with youth and is endlessly inspired by the way children connect in the forest. She believes that youth mentorship in nature is a vital part of reweaving a healthy and connected culture for tomorrow. In 2017-2018, she participated in Wild Leaders Immersion, a 9-month long nature connection, leadership and cultural transformation program with local leaders in nature and community-based programming, including the directors of Forest Floor. She has a background in writing and herbalism, and she loves to sing, craft and tell old stories.

 

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Amanda Islambouli| Teacher

Amanda has lived her life passionately devoted to children and humanitarian causes. She has a background of STEM education in diverse classrooms and of non-profit fundraising with global children and environmental non-profits. She delights in connecting children to nature and science, and in the general daily silliness of working with young children. Whether it is healthy living, cultivating a loving connection to all living beings, or using one's imagination, Amanda is always excited to instill lessons that may carry children forward into a holistically happy and healthy future. 

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Jessie Thistlegrove |  Teacher

Jessie is a devoted naturalist and parent of two.  She delights in bringing spontaneous teaching/learning experiences to life in the natural world, with her background in wilderness training, musical theatre, craft and childhood development.  Having graduated from New College of CA with a major in Art and Social Change and a minor in Ecopsychology, she has taught in an outdoor Montessori pre-school in Sebastopol, and as a kindergarten teacher in Thailand.   Her work and wishes are for young people to find balance, communication skills, and a sense of place, in order to spawn a thriving local community that values life, connection and healthy cycles.  

 

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Stephanie Thomas | Substitute Teacher 

Stephanie has been serving children and their families since 2013. She revels in spending time in nature, especially on snowy or rainy days. Her experience as a forest school educator began in 2017 in the California Redwoods. Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Human Development with a concentration in early childhood development from CSU East Bay, as well as three teaching credentials. She is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Human Development through Pacific Oaks College. Her hopes are to expand her learning as a wilderness immersion educator. Stephanie is an avid animal lover and her hobbies include reading fantasy novels, theater acting, and stargazing.

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