Nicole started BFP with a business partner in 2014, and has been running the program solo since 2016. After five years of teaching in the East classroom in addition to running things, she decided to step away from teaching to create more time for her administrative role. She has been excited for the opportunity to revisit her goals and vision for the school. Before BFP, Nicole graduated from UVM’s Early Childhood Education program & attained her Educator’s license for Birth - Grade 3, and taught at several preschools and afterschool programs. Her time at UVM and the lab school there greatly influenced her approach and teaching philosophy. Nicole has always loved spending time exploring and learning with children in the natural world, and is honored to provide this opportunity to children at the Homestead! She lives in Richmond with her family, and enjoys making art, hiking, paddling, skiing, gardening, reading, traveling, and neverending home improvement!

Leah was born in ME and grew up in VT, and now lives in Burlington with her husband and two sons. She has worked in Education for over 20 years both as a teacher and a director, and holds a BS in Sociology from the College of Charleston. She has taken graduate courses in Education and is currently pursuing her Educator’’s license. She loves working with children and families as the early years are such a special and magical time with children. She also enjoys supporting teachers and working together to create a happy, safe, and loving environment. Leah enjoys every season in VT and all of the changes they bring. She lives close to the Homestead and often hikes the trails with her family. She feels lucky to live in such a beautiful state and enjoys being outside whenever possible. There is so much peace, wonder, and endless moments of learning in nature with young children!

Originally from Boston, MA, Sofia fell in love with Vermont while studying Education and Geography at Middlebury College. Since graduating, she has worked in outdoor and early childhood education in Massachusetts, New York (Adirondack region), New Zealand, and Vermont. Sofia enjoys spending her days outside -- hiking, climbing, camping, and canoeing -- and she feels so grateful to be able to learn from and teach in the natural world! This is Sofia's fourth year at Burlington Forest Preschool, and she can't wait to explore the Homestead with her class!

Barb holds both a B.S. in Environmental Science as well as an Associates in Early Childhood Education. She has been working in a preschool setting for the past 8 years. In addition to working in preschool, she volunteers at a raptor rehabilitation center on the weekends where she assists with health checks, feedings, and the occasional educational programs. She spends her free time with her two dogs (Sandy and Samson) and four birds (Simon, Bodhi, Opal and Pearl). She also enjoys hiking, biking, and gardening. She is really excited to combine her two passions (nature and education) this school year at BFP!

Carly is originally from a small town in North Shore Massachusetts, and graduated from Saint Michael’s College in 2021 with a B.A in Sociology and a minor in Environmental Studies. Carly is passionate about the relationship between humans, our culture, and the environment. She strongly believes that there is so much to gain from learning outdoors, and loves to experience this daily alongside the young eyes and minds of the students. In her free time, Carly enjoys long dog walks, yoga, reading, traveling, and spending time with friends and family. She looks forward to continuing with the team and families Burlington Forest Preschool!

Kate spent over a decade as a Senior Graphic Designer and Art Director, shaping visual campaigns for brands like Ben & Jerry's, Seventh Generation, and Keurig Green Mountain. Over time, that work gradually stopped feeling meaningful. Stepping away, she returned to an instinct she'd had since middle school: at her father's home daycare, she treated the kids as small subjects worth studying, photographing them from their own eye level to show parents a view they'd never seen, sharpening her eye for image, words, and design long before she called it a craft. Leaving the design world made one thing clear — being outdoors and around children was where her joy actually lived. That led her into early childhood education, most recently as a Head Teacher at the Greater Burlington YMCA. As BFP's Atelierista, Kate gets to fold photography, observation, and design into a single practice built around children's thinking. She's looking forward to building the atelier alongside the BFP community, from the ground up. Outside of work, she's usually deep in abstract process art, crochet, collage, playing guitar or piano (badly), but most likely swinging on her beloved porch swing!

Claire moved to Vermont two years ago from Oregon and has enjoyed getting to know a new landscape. They received a B.S. in Horticulture from Oregon State University and have worked in the early education field for six years. Claire brings a strong love for plant identification and herbalism to their work with children, as well as a curiosity and appreciation for the natural world. In their free time, Claire can be found knitting, reading, cooking, and generally puttering around Burlington. This is their second year with BFP. Claire is looking forward to growing and learning with the BFP community this year!

Hailing from Connecticut, Anna graduated from the University of Vermont with a B.A. in History this past May. After spending the summer nannying on Martha’s Vineyard, she is excited to join the team at Burlington Forest Preschool this fall! Anna believes in nurturing children’s exploration, creativity, and imagination. She is looking forward to exploring the ways nature and storytelling converge and how storytelling can strengthen children’s relationship with the environment. Anna spends her free time reading, swimming, exploring the world through film photography, and cooking/baking for friends and family!