Our Teachers

Program Director & Lead Teacher

Kendra grew up in Jay, VT and has a Bachelor of Education degree from Northern Vermont University. She has experience working with preschool and elementary aged students in a variety of settings here in the NEK.  Her favorite memory from school as a child was when "spring would come and all our learning would happen outdoors. We’d look for rocks, building and counting with them, learn about the plants, and learn about lifecycles by watching caterpillars transform into butterflies. As we got older, we’d have field trips to explore the outdoors, learn about making shelters, tying knots, and more.” She is excited to bring her passion for teaching and the outdoors to her first year as Program Director and Lead Teacher at FFF!

Business Manager & Teacher 

Emily Bache is in her fourth year at FFF. She grew up in Massachusetts and has been living in Vermont for 10 years. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Business Management from Northern Vermont University and has been working in education for many years. She has such a love for nature and being outdoors and hopes to share that joy with all children. She enjoys hiking, mountain biking, knitting, drawing and creating all kinds of art. Emily truly believes children learn best when outside in play and creating connections with nature.   

Assistant Teacher & Aftercare

Sam grew up in East Burke, VT and graduated from Lyndon Institute. After receiving her Associate's degree in history from Albertus Magnus College she returned home to pursue a  Bachelor's degree in Outdoor Education from Vermont State University (formally known as LSC). She has worked at Balch Nature School as an assistant teacher and substitute & has led outdoor adventure courses in afterschool programs around the NEK. She loves to backpack, ski tour, mountaineer, rock climb, mountain bike, and canoe.Her goals for the classroom revolve around centering children's love for play and their desire to interact with nature and each other while fostering teamwork and learning along the way. 

Co-founder & Teacher

Jess has been working with children in and out of the classroom for over 20 years.  She earned a B.A. in Creative Writing and Theatre from Whitworth College in Spokane, WA, and an Early Childhood and Elementary Education certificate from Pacific Oaks College in Seattle, WA.  Jess's previous experience includes: 3rd-5th grade classroom teacher, math tutor, afterschool educator and guitar instructor.  She currently runs Wilder Farm in Lyndonville, and enjoys sharing her love of farming with children.

Co-founder & Substitute Teacher

Mary Jo earned her degree in early childhood development from the University of Massachusetts. She taught first grade for four years before becoming part of the homeschool community. She was a homeschooling facilitator for three years before staying home to raise her two sons. She homeschooled her children K-8th grade. She returned to the field of education as an early intervention provider and as a founder of Field, Farm and Forest. 
Mary Jo is a proponent of child-led education and a strong believer that children learn best outside: in the fields, streams and woodlands. She is a witness to the joy and wonder instilled in children through nature, self-guided learning and a supportive community.