Meet these incredible educators.
Audrey Elszasz
Co-Founder/Outdoor Education Specialist
Audrey Elszasz is a Level 3 Forest School Practitioner with a 23-year background in early childhood education. She is the founder of Laurel School's Outdoor Pre-Primary (Northeast Ohio's first outdoor education program for 3-5-year-olds), Nature Adventures at Holden Arboretum, and Co-founder of Friends in the Forest: Learning social skills in the outdoor environment. In 2020, she co-founded The Natural Classroom with Renee Burr.
Audrey co-authored one of the first studies to have quantitative data comparing an outdoor preschool with a traditional preschool. This study highlights the effectiveness of a high-quality outdoor pre-primary education program and brings important quantitative data to the literature. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1225659.pdf
Audrey was a partner in Outdoor Preschool Policy Action Framework (https://willamettepartnership.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Outdoor-Preschool-Policy-Action-Framework_FINAL-for-web.pdf). A group of experts across the country to helped build a policy action framework to seek licensure for outdoor preschools.
Certifications
Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist
2015 Graduate of Cedarsong Forest Kindergarten Residential Teacher Training Program, Vashon Island, WA
Wilderness First Aid
Project Adventure Facilitator
Honors and Awards
2018 Conservation Educator of the Year ~ Cleveland Museum of Natural History
Mary French Conway Endowment for Teaching Excellence ~ Laurel School
Audrey is a facilitator at Pine Lake Forest School and Saturday Forest School.
“Children who spend time outside are inclined to experiment and solve problems. They become compassionate carers of the land. The complex learning environment of the forest naturally develops confidence, resilience, and curiosity."
Rachel Gilbert
Outdoor Education Specialist
Rachel Gilbert brings a passion for outdoor learning mixed with a background in education and child development. Rachel has always felt a strong connection to nature, but it wasn't until she became a mother that she began to understand the importance of child-led, outdoor play for children and started to see the benefits in her child. She is excited to embark on her 4th year with The Natural Classroom!
Rachel also enjoys gardening, cooking, hiking, running, and spending time with her husband, two sons, and golden retriever.
Rachel is an Early Years Forest School and Pre-Primary Forest School facilitator at Willey Creek.
Ashley Owen
Apprentice Facilitator
Ashley Owen is a stay-at-home parent to two girls who thrived through their outdoor education at The Natural Classroom. Moved by the profound impact on her daughters, Ashley has joined our team to share her passion as a facilitator at Moebius Forest School.
“My girls finished forest school with a stronger sense of self, more grit, and an expanded confidence in their creative abilities. We adopted the rule: We don’t complain about the weather, we dress for it. And have since enjoyed many outdoor adventures. Forest school was a win for them, and I'm thrilled to embark on this journey with other children.”
Ashley holds a BS in Biology from the Ohio State University. She is also a certified yoga instructor and enjoys blending yoga and mindfulness with outdoor education for a harmonious learning environment.
Outdoor activities are integral to Ashley's life, from birdwatching and hiking to gardening and making maple syrup. She emphasizes the importance of embracing time with nature, believing it's crucial for growing healthy children and a sustainable future for all. Through The Natural Classroom, she hopes to inspire a deeper connection with nature for each child, fostering a collective commitment to preserving and cherishing our planet.
Ashley is a facilitator at Moebius Forest School!
Pidge Griffin
Outdoor Education Specialist
Pidge is a homeschooling parent with 20 years of experience facilitating and teaching at several local groups and cooperatives. With a strong passion for the outdoors, working with The Natural Classroom has been a dream come true for her. She has a strong belief in child-led learning as well as a gentle approach to supporting and guiding children as they explore and learn about the natural world.
With a love of winter and winter sports, she is also an active member of The National Ski Patrol as well as a certified Outdoor Emergency Care Technician. In her free time, she enjoys being with family, gardening, cooking, hiking, living lightly on Earth, fostering dogs, and volunteering at a local food pantry.
“I grew up in NE Ohio and can thank my parents for introducing me to a love of nature. Learning at an early age to play outside, in all the weather, was one of the greatest gifts given to me. Hiking with my dad all through high school and beyond reinforced my love of nature. As a parent, one of my greatest joys has been to share my love of the outdoors with my children. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing children connect with our natural world.”
Pidge is an Early Years Forest School facilitator at Pine Lake and a substitute for all sites!
Marie Hattman
Substitute Facilitator
Trained as a classical singer, Marie became a teacher by chance when she was asked to teach by an educator who heard her at a concert in Italy. She has continued to teach ever since, becoming a certified teacher and working with music and kids in public and private schools in the U.S. and abroad for over 20 years. In her free time, Marie has always enjoyed hiking, camping, and horseback riding, but it was through parenthood that her passion for outdoor education has grown. Marie is thrilled to work with the Natural Classroom, combining her love for nature and the joy of working with children.
Marie's son is enrolled in Primary Forest School next year! She is a substitute facilitator.
Victoria Kasarjian
Substitute Facilitator
Victoria was raised in Lorain County, Ohio, and Las Vegas, Nevada. From woods and creeks to deserts and heat, her family always had a deep respect and appreciation for the rich life provided by the natural world, where they spent the majority of their free time. During her early 20s, she relocated to Salt Lake City with her partner Aaron where their admiration and adventures continued in the vast nature of Utah. Shortly after the birth of her child Gideon, they decided to relocate to Chardon, Ohio. One of the many reasons for this was for her kiddo (and her desert-raised partner) to experience the amazing natural and educational land of Ohio. Victoria has a passion for social justice, sustainability, and living a climate-focused lifestyle. She lives in Chardon, Ohio with her partner Aaron, toddler Gideon, and 2 dogs Ruger & Gimli.
Victoria is a substitute for all three sites!
Renee Burr
Co-Founder
Renee was a partner from inception through the first two years of operation. After a year of maternity leave, she returned to the Sun Valley site as an educator for one year. While no longer playing an active role with The Natural Classroom, Renee remains a lifelong ally. Her contributions and initiatives helped to make this organization what it is today.
Rebecca Wohlever
Outdoor Education Specialist
Born and raised in the woods of Ohio, Rebecca brings the experiences of her time in nature into her teaching and ecotherapy practices. As a naturalist at the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, she led interpretive hikes and educational programs for children and adults. She served as a preschool assistant at Spring Garden Waldorf School before homeschooling her three children. She also facilitated homeschool co-op and outdoor education classes.
Certified as a Group Ecotherapy Guide through Lake Erie Institute’s Ecopsychology program in 2019, Rebecca feels called to create opportunities for children to connect more deeply with the earth.
“Living in rhythm with the natural world awakens the heart, mind, and the senses in ways that simply can’t be replicated in indoor or contrived environments. Children are natural masters of outdoor play, exploration, and experimentation. By providing gentle guidance and support, educators can hold a beautiful space for their intellects and spirits to flourish. The result is a reciprocal relationship that benefits the children and the planet.”
Rebecca also enjoys teaching yoga, nature photography, writing poetry, performing as a singer-songwriter, and spending time with her family and friends in the forest.
Rebecca is a facilitator For Early Year Forest School at Pine Lake and Youth Forest School at Willey Creek Forest School!
Colleen Paterson
Outdoor Education Specialist
Colleen spent much of her childhood outdoors enjoying creek walks, forest hikes, and riding bikes with family. She brings several years of experience to the Natural Classroom through teaching and caring for preschoolers in a leadership role at her church. She has a gift and passion for connecting with children by developing and nurturing meaningful relationships. She is thrilled to be able to combine her love of the outdoors and gift with children into one purpose through the Natural Classroom.
Colleen has a creative background and a degree in Interior Design and enjoys using those skills to develop our base camp. She also enjoys baking, backyard birdwatching, and other creative outlets. Fun fact, Colleen is a volunteer Snow Spotter for the National Weather Service.
Colleen is a Cedarsong Way Certified Teacher and is certified in CPR/AED and First Aid.
Colleen is a facilitator at Pine Lake.
Tabitha Mensch
Apprentice Facilitator
Born and raised in Northeast Ohio, Tabitha spent her childhood playing in the Chagrin River, exploring the woods of Geauga County, and riding horses. An alumni of Hathaway Brown School, Tabitha achieved a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and Women's Studies from Denison University and a Master of Business Administration from John Carroll University. Postgraduate employment moved Tabitha and her family around the US where they spent much time in the great outdoors of Washington, Oregon, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. While living in different regions, they spent their free time hiking, gardening, and immersing themselves in new environments.
After becoming a mother, Tabitha began looking for a community that embraced a simpler way of life and felt an immediate resonating interest in the emerging Forest School movement. She believes that the values it instills in the hearts and minds of children are tools that can be carried with them as they grow, serving as key components in the foundation of their developing future selves.
These experiences, along with her husband's outdoor-centric childhood, inspired the direction for how they wanted to raise their children. Tabitha is thrilled to have her son enrolled in The Natural Classroom and looks forward to the day that her daughter can join as well.
Tabitha is a Pre-Primary facilitator at Willey Creek!
Jon Elszasz
Woodworking Specialist
Jon Elszasz's background in engineering and violin-making, and his hands-on approach as a do-it-yourselfer make him uniquely qualified. Jon completed his Level One Forest School training and has worked alongside the Saturday Forest School team this year. His focus on specialized woodworking projects will provide opportunities for children to develop their self-esteem, creative and critical thinking, and confidence while using real tools to make their ideas come to fruition. Jon will spend time at all three sites on a rotating schedule.
Andrea Trimmer
Substitute Facilitator
Andrea Trimmer is a stay-at-home mom to two young daughters, with an engineering background and a passion for nature, informal STEM education, and tap dance. Andrea is a life-long nature lover and finally fulfilled her childhood dream of owning her own forest when she moved to the Bainbridge area in 2016. She enjoys hikes, creek walks, and gardening. She especially enjoys watching her girls discover bugs, critters, flowers, and a general love of the outdoors. Andrea has been drawn to education in many ways, including working at the Great Lakes Science Center and starting her own business teaching tap dance and tutoring STEM subjects. Andrea also has a passion for tap dance, with a focus on musicality, improvisation, and the percussive aspects of the art form. She is thrilled to join the Natural Classroom and combine her creativity, informal education experience, and her love of nature!
Andrea is a substitute facilitator!
Jennifer Carlson
Substitute Facilitator
I grew up exploring the woods in northeast Ohio, where my love of nature began. I spent my childhood covered in mud, swimming in lakes and creeks, and observing any animal I could find. Currently, I am a stay-at-home parent to my three young daughters and get to encourage their own love of the natural world.
I have a passion for protecting the natural wonders that exist in nature. I have a master’s degree in Soil Microbiology from the Ohio State University where I also studied Environmental Science. My graduate work led me to a research program in Senegal, on the western coast of Africa, where I lived for a year with my newlywed husband. I worked for seven years at the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, where I was lucky enough to conduct fieldwork in the rivers, streams, and lakes around northeast Ohio.
I am working toward my certification in the Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist program through the state of Ohio by volunteering at the Portage County Park District as well as the Hiram College Biological Field Station.
Jennifer is a substitute facilitator!
Liz Keil
Substitute Facilitator
Liz is a teacher, traveler, and lover of the outdoors. She has taught in private and public schools for 8 years but has always had a passion for working with kids, whether as a lifeguard/swim instructor, camp counselor, or caregiver. Her favorite places to travel to are US National Parks, and most recently, Scotland! Her love for the outdoors includes camping, hiking, kayaking, bird-watching, and gardening. Her favorite adventure by far has been becoming a mom this past year. It has brought her a whole new appreciation for the outdoors.
Liz is a substitute for Pine Lake and Willey Creek.
Vesna Elbert
Outdoor Education Specialist
Vesna Elbert is an Early Childhood Educator who is passionate about play-based, child-led outdoor education. She has many years of experience with children, being a stay-at-home mom with her own three children and watching children in her home before going back to school to do what she loves! She is passionate about connecting children with the natural world and facilitating at forest school!
Her own recollections of playing in the woods as a child have fueled her desire to be a part of the forest school movement that is gaining popularity across the country. When Nature Adventures was started at Holden Arboretum Vesna jumped at the opportunity to be part of it, eventually becoming the lead facilitator for the group on Saturday mornings. She has been with the Natural Classroom since its start in 2020. She is an Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist and a volunteer for the Cleveland Metroparks and Cuyahoga National Park. Vesna has her certificate as a Forest School Teacher through the Forest School Teacher Institute, along with her Wild Med First Aid and CPR. She especially loves exploring the outdoors with her husband, children, and three-year-old grandson!
”Snow, rain, or shine the children show up excited to start a new adventure! Coming from a traditional preschool classroom, it’s clear that a picture in a book is no substitute for being immersed in nature and experiencing the real thing. Being connected with the earth is a lifelong love!”
Vesna is a facilitator at the Beaver Run Forest School.
Fun Fact: Vesna has been with The Natural Classroom since the beginning at Silver Creek Forest School.
Laurel Simkoff
Outdoor Education Specialist
Laurel Simkoff is an early childhood educator with experience working with young children in and out of classroom settings. Her family fostered a love and respect for the natural world and growing up she spent lots of time hiking, gardening, camping, and exploring nature. As a young adult, she enjoyed backpacking through parts of the Appalachian Trail and hopes to take her now 7-year-old daughter backpacking in the next few years.
Since her first experience working with children, she has enjoyed observing children’s intuitive desires to engage in profound inquiry and exploration. She has been a passionate advocate for self-directed education ever since. “When we observe and guide children in a natural setting, and encourage freedom to explore and manipulate their environment, we are able to see their innate abilities to solve problems, care for each other, and engage in stewardship of the earth. Children are born with intrinsic motivation to learn, and some of the most dynamic learning takes place in a Forest School setting.”
Laurel is also a professionally trained modern dancer and loves music, art, writing, and serving on the board of the synagogue her family attends.
Laurel is a facilitator for the Early Years Forest School program and Primary Forest School at Willey Creek.
Heather Skye
Outdoor Education Specialist
Heather Skye (she/her) is a mom of two, an artist, an editor for the Native Plant Society of Northeastern Ohio Journal. She loves working with children, saying, “They always surprise me with their creativity and innovation; I learn so much from them.” Heather graduated in 2011 from Kent State University with a BFA in studio art. When she's not working or taking care of tiny humans, you can find her exploring, creating, hiking, or tending to her woodland permaculture gardens and orchard.
Heather is a facilitator for Youth Forest School at Willey Creek!
Fun Fact: Audrey and Heather met at Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist training in 2016.
Michelle Yurick
Apprentice Facilitator
Born and raised in the suburbs of Cleveland, Michelle grew up exploring every inch of her backyard and spending mornings at libraries or nature centers, along with her sister and two other children her mother nannied. She distinctly remembers one summer when the theme was "life in prehistoric times". The kids went outside to find different plants and herbs that resembled prehistoric plants. Outdoor educational memories like that have stuck with her for decades, and nature has crept into all 15+ years of her teaching experiences. From teaching Sunday morning preschool, to substitute teaching in Uganda, Africa, to co-leading summer camp in Nome, Alaska, Michelle has developed a love of blending education and discovery with the great outdoors, no matter the setting or weather!
Michelle will join the Willey Creek Primary Forest School team this fall, and can't wait to be fully immersed in the child-led, nature-appreciative, education at The Natural Classroom!
Lindsey Rohl
Saturday Facilitator
Lindsey is a school psychologist turned stay-at-home mom to her four kids ages 5 and under. She grew up in Missouri exploring the outdoors. She moved to Cleveland for graduate school and never left!
Lindsey has a master’s in education and a specialist degree in school psychology. She has 7 years of experience working with children in an educational setting. She's passionate about children's learning and the psychology of different learning styles. She enjoys helping children learn in unique ways and is excited to work in a natural environment that allows children's learning to blossom at their own pace and in ways they choose.
Lindsey enjoys hiking, going on adventures, cooking, and being in nature with her family and dogs.
Lindsey is a Substitute!
Paige Cantin is a former interpretive park ranger and science teacher turned stay-at-home mom to her two kids! She studied biology, environmental science, and sustainability at Kent State and began her teaching career in Florida.
Paige spent her childhood exploring the woods in and around Geauga County with her dad, brother, and dog. She moved to Vermont after college and fell in love with the mountains and the northern attitude of “there’s no such thing as bad weather.” Paige believes that all kids are born scientists and explorers. It is our responsibility to nurture their inquisitive nature to develop both an understanding and an appreciation for our natural world.
In her free time, Paige enjoys hiking, kayaking, and fishing with her family. She is also trying her best to gain a green thumb through establishing permaculture guilds in her yard!
Paige will be a Saturday Forest School Facilitator and a substitute for all three sites!
Joanne Canonico
Substitute Facilitator
Joanne Canonico is a lifelong learner and enjoys the wonders nature provides. She is a proud Buckeye and graduated with an art degree from the Ohio State University. Her love of working with children began over twenty years ago when she worked at an after-school care program. Joanne has worked with homeschoolers throughout her career and homeschooled her four children. She recently wrote and taught an outdoor art and science curriculum, merging her passion for curiosity and creativity. Joanne will be a substitute for all sites!
Hannah Blunk
Substitute Facilitator
Hannah Owen graduated from Kent State University’s Early Childhood Education program in 2015. From there, she took her first job teaching Kindergarten and 1st Grade in a Yupik Eskimo village on the Bering Sea in Alaska. It’s an experience she and her husband will never forget, and their son was even gifted with a Yupik Eskimo middle name upon his birth.
Hannah has left the world of traditional education to be a stay-at-home mama with the goal of homeschooling. She has one son, Charlie, and another child due at the end of summer. Their family also has two dogs, Gus and Olive. She enjoys reading, Yoga, hiking, and traveling. Each year, she and her husband help their son Charlie complete the 1000-Hour Outside Challenge, and finding The Natural Classroom has been an amazing extension of that value!
Hannah is a substitute for all three locations!