Andrée Collier Zaleska, Director, is a nature-based educator with more than 20 years of experience leading programs for children ages 3–14, including forest kindergarten, camps, homeschool classes, and family programs.

Her teaching is play-based, child-led, and grounded in the belief that children thrive with greater autonomy, meaningful risk, and abundant time in the natural world. Rather than directing children's learning, she creates environments that invite curiosity and deep engagement. Her work draws on Buddhism, 12-Step philosophy, Montessori, unschooling, and her experience as a parent. Her education as a naturalist is ongoing through her studies with Kathy Dean of Trotting Fox Programs.

Andrée founded and directed JP Green School and Adventure Play New England in Boston from 2010 to 2019. More recently, she created and led the Dragonflies Forest Kindergarten at The Garland School in Brattleboro, Vermont, from 2019 to 2024.

Outside of teaching, Andrée enjoys wildlife tracking on snowshoes, mushroom hunting, birding, and dissecting literature. She plays samba and Celtic guitar, and she’s a roller derby rookie.

Education

• B.A., Smith College

• M.A., Harvard University

• Vermont Early Childhood Educator License, Level IV
  
  
  
  Kelsy Allan, Lead Teacher, lives in an off-grid tiny house in the wilds of Guilford. She enjoys hiking, kayaking, snowboarding, and any excuse to be outside. Kelsy has a background in land stewardship and outdoor education. Kelsy has a BA in Natural Resource Management and Environmental Science, and has played and taught in the woods through various positions with BEEC, nature museums, schools, and land trusts across New England. Kelsy particularly loves finding small creatures and eating wild foods!