Our Team
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Co-founded by parents and professionals in the fields of education and non-profit humanitarian aid, Springwood Forest School takes its name from the word for the earliest growth in the ring of a tree. It is a natural fit for a school rooted in the belief that nature is fundamental to the development of the whole child. Our experience and backgrounds give us unique insights and advantages, informing a well-designed, thoughtful, mission-driven outdoor education program.
Heather (she/her)
Co-founder, Director
As a parent and third-generation educator, Heather understands the importance of high quality early childhood education and advocates for learning communities that empower children and strengthen families.
In addition to holding a degree in early childhood development and family studies from the University of Washington, Heather is Wilderness First Aid trained and brings experience as a Tinkergarten-certified, nature-based preschool teacher to the design and implementation of Springwood Forest School.
Committed to positive education outcomes, Heather serves her community in a number of capacities. In addition to her role as Founder of Springwood Forest School, Heather serves as a member of the Island County Child Care Partnership Task Force advocating for policies that improve the field of early childhood education for children, families, and teachers. Heather also volunteers with Stanwood Alliance for Equity and sits on the board for the Friends of Stanwood Parks and Trails.
As a Pacific Northwesterner, Heather is happiest when tiptoeing over tide pools, foraging for wild mushrooms, or exploring towns and forests with her family. When she’s not teaching, Heather loves to play guitar, wander thrift shops, and get lost in good books.
Emma (she/her)
Lead Teacher
Emma got her formal start with environmental and outdoor education in 2019 as a Volunteer Specialist with EarthCorps. While serving in this year-long AmeriCorps role, she facilitated weekly service-based outdoor education experiences for school groups ranging from second grade through high school. Inspired by these volunteer events, Emma went on to work with Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center where she taught summer camp and led environmental education lessons on soil, wetlands, and forest habitats.
Following Mercer Slough, Emma and her partner started a small vegetable farm on Camano Island. They hope to one day host a youth-centered gathering and creative space where kids can explore their dreams, cook and eat together, and engage in organizing and mentorship.
Emma hails from occupied Lenape land (Philadelphia) where she worked with kids in some capacity since she was a teen, whether babysitting or as a camp counselor. She self-designed her Bachelor's degree at the New School in Education, Gender, and Environment to explore the deep connection that runs between the three.
In her free time Emma can be found in the garden caring for baby plants, splashing in the Sound, riding her bike, or spending quality time with friends and family.
Bhakti (she/her)
Assistant Teacher
Bhakti embarked on her educational journey as a Kindergarten Assistant teacher, at the very elementary school she once attended. Her role included serving as an aftercare leader, and as a helper aiding neurodivergent preschool students in a typical classroom setting. Bhakti’s bond with young children has always been profound, particularly in teaching yoga to kids, to help foster inner calmness and peace.
Outside our forest classroom, Bhakti is an essential part of Ananda Farm, tending to flower gardens, baking for local markets, and actively participating in the Ananda meditation community. Her devotion extends to motherhood, with her son Ezra holding a special place in her heart.
In her free time, Bhakti is captivated by the beauty of dance on ice, and yearns to learn figure skating. A creative soul, she is drawn to somatic movement, baking, photography, and the serenity of being amidst blooming flowers. You can often find Bhakti meditating, performing yoga, or walking in nature.
Olivia (she/her)
Substitute Teacher
Olivia brings a diverse range of professional experiences to Springwood, deeply rooted in nature, community, and stewardship. Her background with children spans various roles and age groups. She embraced the intimate work of supporting individual families as a nanny, helped to shepherd an after-school program for a number of years, and has supported various outdoor education programs in forest and farm settings. Most notably, Olivia contributed to the farming and farm school program with the renowned Apricot Lane Farms, featured on the “the Biggest Little Farm” documentary.
Olivia also managed the children's activity department at the well-known Rancho de los Caballeros in Arizona, where she was responsible for overseeing the Kids Club operation, managing a team of teachers, organizing and supervising events as well as developing all programmatic aspects of the club, which included designing nature crafts, explorations, educational activities and outdoor events for large groups of mixed-age children.
In addition to her work experience, Olivia brings a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations/Politics. She was inspired by a philosophy course in college with the distinguished Professor Wartenberg where she used philosophical questioning to dive deeper into children's books with students at a local elementary school. She looks forward to sharing this framework, as well as her practical knowledge about nature and food systems with Springwood students. Her agricultural expertise includes animal husbandry, biodynamic, organic and regenerative farming, soil fertility, compost, native habitat restoration, and more. This fall she will complete her 10 hour Outdoor, Nature-Based training certificate through the UW’s Cultivate Learning program.
As someone who feels at home in the outdoors, Olivia is naturally drawn to nature based-education. Through nature immersion and a fervent respect for the land that sustains us, Olivia is eager to build relationships with students rooted in respect and compassion. Olivia’s earliest experiences as a bilingual student of color in a predominately white private school setting cultivated a unique and sensitive lens for the tender experiences of children. Driven by this transformational experience, Olivia is compelled to work within equitable educational settings to provide her students an affirming and vital sense of belonging.
When she’s not teaching young minds at forest school, Olivia can be found building tiny homes with her partner, volunteering at the Ananda Farm on Camano Island, and working to sustain the vibrant farm to table movement in the fertile Skagit Valley.
Kimmy (she/they)
Substitute Teacher
Kimmy’s love for learning is rooted in their passion for ecological consciousness, place-based education, and resilient cultures of care. As the oldest of five children, Kimmy’s first childcare experiences were caring for their youngest siblings.
Kimmy’s passion for the outdoors began as a volunteer in horticulture class, while attending high school in Seattle. She grew up in occupied Muckleshoot and Duwamish lands of western Washington, and has always been fascinated with the natural world.
After receiving a degree in Organismal Biology & Ecology from Colorado College, Kimmy has continued to pursue educational experiences while working for growth rooted in reciprocity, gratitude, and interconnectedness. These efforts include a Permaculture Design Course at Bullock’s Permaculture Homestead, a Practicum in Sustainable Agriculture at Viva Farms, and both the Ethnobotany and Growing Herbalist Immersion Courses at Raven’s Roots Naturalist School. Kimmy now co-owns and operates Eternity Farm on Camano Island, and will begin a Master’s program in Anthropology and Social Change at CIIS in the fall of 2023.
Favorite pastimes of Kimmy’s include enjoying beautiful settings, tending plants, listening to music, learning instruments, reading, meditation, and film photography. When they’re not busy farming, teaching, and learning, Kimmy volunteers with Stanwood Alliance for Equity and serves on the National Young Farmers Policy Committee.
Andy (he/him)
Co-founder
Andy brings a background of 20 years in corporate communications and is committed to extending the reach and shaping the brand of Springwood Forest School. He focuses on the proactive needs of families, ensuring everyone in our school community is safe, supported, and represented. From awareness to enrollment, safety training, and all the touch points in between, Andy identifies opportunities to enrich the experiences of parents, children, and teachers. Whether it’s the process by which families prepare for outdoor preschool, or the user experience on our website, Andy focuses on the often overlooked details that support busy families.
Andy previously worked for the International Rescue Committee, leading coordination of integrated marketing projects, brand management, and research. His earliest work in creative roles for brands including Microsoft, REI, and T- Mobile brings a strong influence to Springwood’s overall brand design and thoughtful messaging.
When he’s not working behind the scenes at forest school, Andy can usually be found wrestling in the living room with his two boys, or relishing in the lost art of hand tool woodworking in his workshop.