Primary School Teacher

Originally from New York, Melinda has taught Pre-K in an early childhood care setting for several years. Melinda has had the opportunity to work with children in various age groups early on, and developed a great understanding of what goes into collaboration, team work and the importance of a positive school environment. From her previous work experiences - including a community center, working in nature summer camps, babysitting, as well as volunteering at an animal shelter, she is passionate in bringing her love of nature and of all living things to the classroom! 

During her first two years in Community College, she received her Associates degree in liberal arts, and was a part of the theater department where she either acted/helped in the production of plays each season. Melinda holds a Masters degree in English Literature from Queens College, and is fluent in Hungarian.

Melinda’s objective every school year is to create a safe and fun learning environment for all students where they can grow with confidence. She has always loved working with children, and looks forward to what each new school year brings! Most importantly, Melinda strives to make it a positive welcoming environment, building a supportive relationship with children and families.

During her time off from teaching, Melinda loves spending time with her three children, reading, and hiking with her dogs in the forest.

Kindergarten Teacher

Kailey graduated from The College of New Jersey with a degree in Elementary Education and Psychology and a K-5 NJ teaching certification. Within those areas of study, she additionally focused on learning about counseling children/adolescents and factors of poverty that can affect a child’s success in school. She has always known that teaching would be her career and has spent her entire life interacting with children in different ways - helping her mother at the preschool she directed, babysitting, and setting up a tutoring program at a local school during college.

Kailey is a lifelong lover of nature and can frequently be found meandering through walks and stopping every couple of steps to observe something that has caught her eye! She is lucky that her mother understood the importance of playing outside and spent her childhood running around the neighborhood with her sisters- making mud potions, finding new paths through the woods, climbing fallen trees, and rolling down dirt hills. As an adult, she has continued learning about the natural world and the importance of connecting with nature on a daily basis. She wants children to love listening to the wind move through meadows, fishing for rocks in cold streams, and identifying the trees and flowers that they see every day. Outside of teaching, you can find Kailey spending time with her family (including their chickens and ducks!), experimenting in the garden with her partner Ray, and stage-managing plays for a local community theatre.

Forest Pre-K Lead Teacher

Anna has been a forest school PreK teacher for the past 3 years. She has a BFA from the Savannah College of Art and Design and earned her Montessori Early Childhood Education Certificate in 2022. She will complete her Level 1 Nature Based Teacher Certification through ANBE in July 2025. 

Some highlights of Anna’s past work experiences include: field crew at Yosemite National Park, historic building preservationist, and bread baker. Some favorite activities include: gardening with her daughter, hiking local trails, learning about native plants, and watching her children try new things… (like reading and mountain biking! kids are so brave!) Anna is passionate about nature education and believes every child can find belonging in nature.

Forest Pre-K Support Teacher

Neil moved to NJ from Peru in the spring of 2019. His first year was spent learning about seasons and all the activities you can do outside during the different times of the year. Neil has been an outdoor educator as a supporting teacher for five years. You can usually find him inventing games to engage students, playing soccer, or teaching some Spanish words. He is studying for his CDA. In his free time, Neil can be found playing with his daughter, camping with his family or playing soccer.

Forest Pre-K Support Teacher

Growing up in Chicago, Grace's early days were a mix of navigating bustling streets and finding inspiration in the city's diverse art and culture scene. This unique blend of urban energy and an inquisitive mind led her to pursue a business degree at the University of St. Thomas. There, she learned to blend her innate curiosity with practical knowledge. This foundation in business and critical thinking laid the groundwork for her future endeavors, both personal and professional.

After graduating, she took a different path, earning her master's degree from Princeton Theological Seminary. Her experience studying practical theology was transformative, deepening her understanding of  the importance of being in community with one another and with the natural world. She applied this experience to her role at Apple Hart Farm, and she is excited to bring her experience to this new opportunity at Sapling Woods.

In her free time, Grace spends her days in the company of her dog, tending to her garden, or cherishing moments with her family. These activities keep her grounded, reminding her that while her journey has been one of varied pursuits, the truest fulfillment comes from nurturing the things that matter most.

Nature Preschool Lead Teacher and Forest School Leader

Patricia is a native and lifelong resident of New Jersey who has loved exploring in nature since  childhood. With decades of experience in child care and education combined with this love of the  outdoors, she feels right at home teaching in the natural setting of Sapling Woods Nature School.  Patricia’s most recent teaching experience includes 9 years of nature preschool and 9 years of cooperative nursery school. She has a strong interest in local fauna and flora which she enjoys learning  about with colleagues and children. She loves to follow the children’s natural curiosity and help them  expand their knowledge by writing and teaching songs about the plants and animals in the local environment. Patricia is fluent in French, conversant in Spanish and has a love of language learning. She loves sports and is an avid tennis player and pickleballer.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts  with a French concentration from St. Michael’s College in Winooski Park, VT and a master’s degree in  Teaching English as a Second Language from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, NJ. Patricia has  taught a variety of subjects to people of all ages from preschool to adult and feels that working with children in a mostly outdoor program has been her most rewarding and fulfilling teaching experience.

Nature Preschool Support Teacher

Carolina holds a B.A. in Early Childhood Education from the Catholic University of Peru. She has lived in the United States for 30 years, where she and her husband have raised their two children. With over 20 years of experience teaching preschool in central New Jersey, she also shares her passion for creativity by offering sewing and art classes at the Princeton Arts Council.

Originally from Lima, Peru, Carolina was captivated by the changing seasons when she first arrived in New Jersey. She quickly discovered that the region’s outdoor environment offers children a wealth of learning opportunities, contributing positively to their physical health and social development. Additionally, Carolina has been teaching Spanish to preschoolers for several years, enriching their early language experiences.

In 2017, she completed the Master Gardeners program through Mercer County and the Rutgers University extension. Outside of teaching, Carolina enjoys gardening, sewing children’s clothing, repurposing old jeans, knitting cozy garments, and spending time in nature.

Carolina is grateful for being part of a community committed to nurturing young children. Each day, she is inspired by their curiosity and growth, knowing that her efforts are helping shape their futures. Being part of Sapling Woods Nature School fills Carolina with pride.

Nature Preschool Lead Teacher

I have been working at a nature school in Hopewell for the past 6 years. Open-mindedness, working with children and nature brings me back every year. I prefer to be called Kirsten by you and your family; Ms. Kirsten if it makes you feel more comfortable.

I am a nature child. I grew up in the 60’s and 70’s when children spent most of their time independently navigating themselves in mixed age groups outdoors. I loved my childhood. I am an animal lover. I share two dogs with my partner.

I like to do things in moderation. I dabble in gardening, cooking and repurposing. I also like to work on puzzles, beading, reading, and rock and shell collecting. I look forward to establishing healthy relationships with your family and having a successful learning experience with your child. I am so excited to reunite with families and children from prior years.

Nature Preschool Lead Teacher

Tracey holds an associates degree in art from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. After working in her field she chose to raise a family. She spent most of those years teaching her own kids about nature and helping others. She volunteered her time with her children's schools and also helped local organizations in need. She strongly feels nature, kindness and a sense of community build strong character; and there is a lesson to be found in everything.

She has been with Painted Oak for about 6 years in total, taking some time off to be with her family but soon returned. In her role as an assistant teacher she completed several workshops on child development as well as child social emotional classes. She feels strongly about children learning about our world, all who live on it and how to care for it.

Tracey can be found in the woods with her husband and her dog hiking. Or spending time with her 3 children. Her many joys of gardening and baking bring much joy to all who receive her bounty. She also finds joy in learning more about helping new ways to better support young developing minds.

Owl Club Instructor and Oak & Acorns Class Instructor

Jennifer is immensely grateful to be joining the Sapling Woods team this year!  She graduated from the CAP21 Conservatory in NYC, studying musical theatre performance.  She has since relocated back to her native Bucks County, ultimately appreciating tall trees over tall buildings.  

She brings her experience as a nature conservation leader and educator at The Student Conservation Association, where she works with high school students with an emphasis on social-emotional learning and trauma-informed care.

Jennifer’s extensive studies as an astrologer only further deepened her appreciation for the cycles and rhythms of our home here on Earth. She believes in grounding her dreams for a more beautiful shared future with devoted service to community, especially the rising generations. Her passion for space-holding and holistic wellness led to receiving her Reiki Master certification with ManKindYoga NYC in 2018.

Jennifer intends to encourage child-like wonder through her facilitation, and empower each individual student with the knowledge and confidence needed to navigate the natural world. She is inspired to further integrate her experiences as an artist, educator, and lifelong learner, and pour her joyful heart into her role at Sapling Woods! In her free time when she’s not twirling in the forest, you can find Jennifer painting and singing at home with her cats Gaia and Lyra.

Office Administrator & Enrollment Specialist

Megan is so excited to start her first year at Sapling Woods working the front desk. Megan has a degree in Ornamental Horticulture from MCCC. But her love of the outdoors and plants started at a very young age exploring the mountains of Pennsylvania at her grandparents cabin. Megan has been working with children for over 20 years as a dance teacher in Robbinsville, NJ.

Megan’s previous job experience includes Office Manager at a doctor’s office, administrative assistant at a lightning protection company, and stay at home mom for 8 years to her two wonderful children. When Megan is not dancing or playing pirates with her kids, you can find her reading as many books as possible. 

She is excited to start working and seeing all the smiling faces of kids ready to learn and explore at Sapling Woods Nature School. 

Head of School

Amy is the Head of School for Sapling Woods Nature School, a thriving educational community inspired by her deep passion for holistic living, nature-based learning, and childhood development. After graduating from Rider University and spending three years working in finance, Amy made a bold decision to follow her heart and pursue a career as a yoga instructor. Along the way, she earned certifications in both yoga and AcroYoga, embracing a path of wellness that would ultimately guide her to a new, unexpected calling.

Through her yoga practice, Amy connected with a parent whose child attended a local nature-based school. Intrigued by the idea, she explored nature schools further and quickly recognized the profound impact they had on children’s development. When Amy’s own son was born in 2018, she felt a deep desire to provide him with the same nurturing, outdoor-focused educational experience. After trying several preschools, Amy found her home at Painted Oak Nature School, where her passion for nature-based learning blossomed.

Amy worked at Painted Oak for two years, pouring her heart into the children, teachers, and community. But when the school’s owner decided to move on to a new chapter, Amy knew the need for such a unique educational space was too great to let go. Fueled by a deep commitment to the children and families she served, Amy founded Sapling Woods Nature School, ensuring that this vital model of early childhood education would continue to grow and thrive.

Today, Amy continues to inspire and guide children and families on a journey rooted in curiosity, connection, and the wonders of the natural world. Sapling Woods stands as a testament to her dedication to creating a nurturing, hands-on learning environment that fosters resilience, creativity, and a lifelong love of the outdoors.