Who We Are

FALL 2026/2027 SCHOOL YEAR ENROLLMENT OPENS MONDAY MARCH 30TH!

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Ms. Kira

Co-Founder | Director of Education & Mentorship

Cedar Group Leader

Pine Group (OVA) Leader

Summer Camp

Greetings Friend!

My name is Kira, and I am so happy our paths have crossed. I am the director and lead teacher of Friend of the Woods Nature School, and my heart’s work is guiding kids to feel their sense of place in the natural world. Growing up, I always oriented myself by the trees, trails, and bodies of water around me. My home base was in Grand Haven, MI where I would spend hours exploring and fishing the bayous, inlets, and channels of the Grand River Basin. Climbing trees, spying on the creatures who made the land and water their home, and noticing how it felt to be more than just an observer to the natural world around me. To know and feel myself as an integral part of these ecosystems early on tangibly shaped the way I perceive the world.

When I turned 18 I ventured northward to the truly magical lands of Marquette, Michigan. I completed college at Northern Michigan University where I received my Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education with minors in Science and Language Arts. In the midst of this time I also became a mother. Through these deeply transformational years I began orienting myself once again by the fierce waves of Lake Superior, the rushing waterfalls of the Dead River Basin, the resilient Red Cedars growing with climbing roots on cliffsides, the purposeful movements of Beavers and Pileated Woodpeckers, and the warmth of a loving and like-minded community. I once again, this time as an adult, found the peace of connection and fellowship with the natural world around me.

In the years following, I have lived all over the lower peninsula, in Grand Rapids, Lake Orion, and now in Waterford where I have been growing roots and finding my way as a teacher and guide. I have served in the roles of an Outdoor Education teacher at C.A Frost Environmental Science Academy, a Lead Teacher for children ages 2-5 at Heartfelt Impressions Learning Center, and a GSRP Preschool Teacher. I received my CDA in Early Childhood Development, I’ve been an animal handler at the Marquette Children’s Museum, and have taught workshops on Positive Parenting Solutions for Families. I am also a Certified Forest School Teacher. I am now the proud mum of two wild kiddos named Fynn (9) and Jovie (4) who continuously guide me to know and honor the curiosity, open heartedness, silliness, resilience, unconditional love, and uniqueness of children.

I spend most of my free time very actively; hiking, fishing, hunting, and foraging, tending my garden and chickens, skiing of all kinds, biking around town, climbing trees, and cruising on my longboard. My active lifestyle leads me to appreciate the slow quiet times as well. I love to read or listen to books, sing and dabble on the guitar and banjo, practice meditation, share a nourishing meal, and soak up the magic of a roaring fire.

All of these experiences have led me to become a passionate advocate for learning through exploration, play, risk-taking, and tangible experiences in a classroom that goes beyond traditional schooling. I believe that empowering children to take the lead in their own learning by following their curiosity and intuition builds their confidence and self-trust early on, and is one of the most critical skills they can develop. In a classroom without walls, i have witnessed that learning happens organically as children engage with the cycles and systems in the natural world. There is endless opportunity for asking questions, taking risks, and creating both physical and imaginary handiwork. In the outdoors, a greater sense of present-moment awareness is invoked when relating to the land, water, and living things around us. By acknowledging and celebrating our interconnectedness with the Earth, I hope to cultivate a generational change in loving and preserving it.

Ms. Jen

Co-Founder | Director of Operations & Community

Cedar Group Leader

Pine Group (OVA) Leader

Summer Camp

Hi, I’m Jen- Cofounder and Administrator at Friend of the Woods Nature School. As a native Michigander, some of my earliest memories are rooted outdoors- climbing trees, wondering fields, foraging black raspberries with my mom, hunting with my dad, helping in the garden & camping with my family. These early experiences weren't just fun, they were formative. They shaped the way I see and move through the world- with wonder, curiosity, and a deep sense of belonging to the Earth.

Over the years, that connection only deepend. Whether living in wild and awe-inspiring places like Alaska and Yosemite, or right here in the mitten surrounded by freshwater lakes and four true seasons, I've always returned to the same knowing: we belong to the Earth. And when we remember that, everything shifts.

Motherhood strengthened that calling. Raising my daughters, Emaline and Nora- two bright, imaginative, wild-hearted souls- reminded me how naturally children gravitate toward wonder when given space and trust. I began to see how desperately our modern world needs places where kids can slow down, get dirty, take risks, and reconnect with their senses.

I'm deeply passoniate about rewilding- not only the land, but our inner landscapes as well. I

believe in guiding children back to their bodies, their instincts, their creativity, and their sense of belonging. In a world saturated with screens and noise, it is more vital than ever to slow down, notice the scent of the rain, feel the moss beneath our bare feet, hear the bird songs, taste wild foods and remember that we are nature, too. It is about returning to the wisdom and rhythms that our Ancestors knew- that live in our bodies, our senses and our relationship with Earth.

Co-founding Friend of the Woods with Kira has been one of the most meaningful journeys of my life. Together, we've built space where families can step into relationship with the land and one another- where curiosity is honored, stewardship is practiced, and childhood is protected.

I am endlessly grateful to be doing this work and to be surrounded by families, teachers, and little explorers who remind me every day that hope, joy, and connection are still very much alive- especially in the woods.

Ms. Sam

Lead Teacher

Walnut Group

Pine Group (OVA)

Summer Camp

Hey, I’m Sam!

My fondest childhood memories are of camping and enjoying the outdoors, but my real love began after college when I was introduced to backpacking in the mountains of West Virginia - being immersed in nature and stripped down to essentials taught me a lot about the strength of my mind and body and the interconnectedness of it all. I was immediately hooked and have since found a lot of solace getting out into wilderness.

I now have 3 girls: Kennedy (5), Emilia (5), and Juniper (3) - along with my husband, Adam, and dog, Gus, we love getting out on adventures. I also enjoy creating and admiring beautiful things, friendly debates about life and philosophy, and impromptu dance parties! I quit my corporate job without looking back to stay home and care for my kids when I became a mom. It has always been my goal to show them how beautiful this world is and empower them with the confidence to listen to their heart and lead with love. I believe giving kids space to experiment and explore first hand, on their own time is the best way for them to learn their bodies and how they fit into this world.

I’m so looking forward to getting to know your kids and share the magic of the woods!

Ms. Shawna

Lead Teacher

Walnut Group

Pine Group (OVA)

Summer Camp

Hello, name is Shawna!

I’m a proud single mom to my son, Greyson, who is five years old and my greatest adventure buddy. My heart’s work is guiding children to reconnect with the natural world—to discover their own rhythm in the forest, the dirt beneath their feet, and the life that surrounds them.

Growing up, I was always drawn to the quiet magic of the outdoors. Some of my fondest memories involve wandering through the woods, fishing at quiet lakes, catching frogs with my dad up north, camping under the stars, and discovering wildflowers tucked beneath trees. That love only grew stronger when I became a mother. Now, Greyson and I spend our days hiking local trails, foraging for mushrooms, berries and native plants, and taking our yearly trip to the Hocking Hills, where we immerse ourselves in the beauty of waterfalls, cliffs, and forest paths.

I have a deep love for camping—whether it’s pitching a tent beside a river, cooking over an open fire, or waking up to birdsong and crisp morning air. There’s something so grounding about slowing down and simply being in nature, and it’s a rhythm I love to share with children.

My path to forest school education has been shaped by many roles in child-focused work. I’ve supported children in foster care, worked alongside Child Protective Services, in a juvenile detention setting, and spent time as a nanny and preschool assistant. These experiences deepened my understanding of how powerful nature can be as a space for healing, growth, and joy—especially for children navigating complex emotions or circumstances.

I believe children are natural explorers and that the forest offers endless opportunities for them to wonder, create, take risks, and grow confident in who they are. I’m honored to be a guide along their journey, helping them build lasting connections with the Earth—and with themselves.

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