People

I have been a teacher in multiple capacities since 2008, but really struggled with the limits of classroom teaching in public education. While I often took kids on outdoor field trips, I wanted to go bigger, and create a true outdoor school program. With the support of my school Director, our Charter school developed a full-time, free-to-public Forest Transitional Kindertgarten with a Forest Days programs for our upper grades. I am now the Forest School Coordinator at Wildflower Open Classroom, where I manage the TK program (we have a 3 teachers in the field), and teach the Forest Days program.

As the former Director of Technology, Mary served as the project lead for NAAEE online technology, including the NAAEE website and eePRO, the hub for professional development. Mary had been on NAAEE staff since 1999 and her extensive background in technology, website development, outreach, multi-stakeholder collaboration, security, systems support, and project management experience consistently provided the highest level of support to NAAEE’s team, leadership, and members. 

Mary is now acting in an advisory role, continuing to support the work of the association.

Sarah Barrow- Program Manager: 

Sarah lives in Hollis, NH with her family, and many animals. Sarah has been an educator for over 20 years, sharing her love of art and nature in every experience. Sarah is the Program Manager for Beaver Brook, where she enjoys engaging with the community and creating enriching experiences for children and families. She loves animals, hiking, sketching wildlife, and collecting inspiration from the great outdoors. Sarah holds a degree in Fine Arts from Alfred University and a master's degree from Wheelock College in the field of child development. 

Former Wildlife Educator for Frederick County Parks & Recreation for 12+ Year
Maryland Piedmont Master Naturalist
Middle School Science & Team Lead at Lucy School Environmental & Arts-Based Education