The Team

Program Director Laura (she/her) joined the Garland School community in 2014. She is a licensed elementary teacher with a background in holistic, progressive education models, and is working toward her early childhood education endorsement. These days, her interests revolve around sustainable living, creating nourishing environments for children, and bike commuting. She lives in Brattleboro with her spouse and two children (both Garland graduates), a fluffy cat, and four chickens.

Swift (she/her) joined our team in 2021 and has felt right at home from the start.  She brings her attention to detail and a background in social work and childcare into our office and the administration of the school.  She is also an Energy Healer, dancer and a mother and loves the way that she can weave all of this into the way she shows up for the school.  She lives in Putney with her partner, her child, their dog, some piggies and the chickens.

Kayla (she/her) has been working at Garland since spring of 2022. She has worked with young children for many years in a variety of settings. Currently, she is finishing up her degree in early childhood education. Kayla believes in developing a child’s sense of autonomy through play and exploration. She lives in Putney with young daughter, two pups and kitty. Kayla loves gardening, making art and cooking.

Sue (she/her) moved to Vermont from Rhode Island in the summer of 2024 seeking a new adventure in her 30+ year journey in childcare. Having always been drawn to northern New England, she found the perfect opportunity to join the nature-based program with the Garland family, which aligned with her philosophy. In her spare time, she loves practicing her fiber art (mostly spinning and knitting), but when the sun comes out, you'll find her in the garden. Sue lives in Brattleboro with her two youngest children and their two cats. They love to spend time together, from exploring their new home state to movie nights with popcorn.

Caroline (they/them), joined the Garland School community in October, 2022 and is a new Vermont transplant, originally from Boston, MA. They have been working in early childhood education since 2015 and specifically as a forest school teacher before Garland. Caroline discovered the forest school approach in Brooklyn, NY, of all places, and immediately felt that it was their true calling. Caroline is a proud member of the queer community and finds deep meaning and joy in creating space for young children to feel seen, safe, and supported. Nourishing activities outside of teaching include birding, volunteering, organizing community events, submerging in bodies of water, attending live music and theater events, and traveling.

Colin (he/him) was born and raised in Brattleboro where playing in the woods, fields and snow created all his richest memories. These experiences and memories created a life-long sense of curiosity, playfulness, and wonder. He attended Guilford College, and woke a passion for social justice, leading him to study Education.  His studies inspired him to seek out summer work with children and discovered the magical world of Early Childhood Education. Immediately finding work with young children fun, challenging, and fulfilling, he has been at it since 2002.  Colin worked in a number of programs in California, including over 7 years at Step One School and 7 years at The Berkeley Forest School. After building a strong interest in outdoor education, he co-founded Rainbow Tree Forest School, a 100% outdoor program for young children. When he is not working, Colin can usually be found playing Dungeons & Dragons, riding a bike, backpacking, or working on his next Halloween costume.

Lexi (she/they) has worked in child care since they graduated NHTI in 2018. They always knew they had a calling to working with people, originally wanting to be a therapist or guidance counselor.  When they landed in early childhood education, they were pleasantly surprised, and couldn't see themself doing anything else.  When they’re home they love discovering new music and drawing. They're a bit of an introvert.  Out and about they hike the Vermont trails and take pictures of all the local wild and plant life with their partner. One of their biggest passions is being an advocate for lgbtq+ and neurodivergent people. Discovering that there are so many ways to be and exist in this world, has made them who they are, and they are so much happier for it.

Rachel (she/her), was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. In 2015, she started college in Western Massachusetts, and later moved to North Carolina where she farmed, did trail work, and started dabbling in outdoor education. She moved back to New England to finish her degree in 2023, and decided to pursue working at an outdoor preschool. In her free time, she's usually wandering around outside, cooking or fermenting something at home, fussing with a plant, or doing improv! Working with children keeps her in the present moment and constantly reminds me to consider what is important. she loves getting the chance to be her goofiest self every day.

Cara (she/her), joined the Garland School in 2023 as a parent and 2024 as a team member.  She was drawn to Garland by the time the kids spend outdoors and the incredibly compassionate, attuned and grounded teachers.  Cara grew up locally and has come back to this area after traveling and hiking all over: Kauai, Oregon, Australia, South Carolina and Western Mass.   Hiking and working outside weave with her background with childcare perfectly here.  She appreciates how children have an innate ability to find joy in the simple acts of play and being silly.   She loves reconnecting with all of her favorite things through her daughter’s discovery of the natural world and all it has to offer.

Lauren (she/her) began working at The Garland School as a substitute in the fall of 2022 while finishing her master's degree in Environmental Studies/Environmental Education. After taking a two year break, she returned this winter (2025) as a substitute, and then joined the school full-time. Lauren has been working with kids in a variety of ways for over 10 years. Originally starting as a holistic expressive arts practitioner in a pediatric palliative care program.  She worked in mental health care for a few years before burning out and feeling the call of the wild to work with kids in nature instead! Lauren is fascinated by all things in the natural world, and brings that with her wherever she goes. Motivated by witnessing the mistreatment of children in a previous job, she is deeply passionate about Humane Education, and being a safe and loving adult for ALL children--always.

Bex (she/her), took up the reins at the kitchen  in 2023.   Most of her cooking experience comes from in the Galley on Tall Ships. She really likes being able to care for folks through good food. She is a real sucker for a good postcard and pickled things. She lives in Putney with her Partner, two kids and their dog. They love it.