Our Staff
Mary Corcoran
Founder, Director & teacher
Mary graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Environmental Science concentrated in education. She managed an organic garden, studied nesting bird populations, and worked at a forest preschool. Mary also received training at a tracking school in the Swan Valley of Montana. She has worked in a wide range of outdoor education settings and is committed to being a lifelong learner. In 2022 Mary received a Masters Degree in Education from the University of Vermont. She is a licensed teacher, Wilderness First Responder and Arrowhead Forest Farm is her biggest passion. Mary has spent the last eight years working with preschool aged children and is so grateful that Arrowhead is her home. Her favorite activities include birding, hiking, skiing, biking, caring for her animals, and teaching children about the wonders of the natural world.
Emily Aiken
Teacher
Emily graduated from Saint Michael's College where she studied psychology focused on children's development, and anthropology. She has been interested in child psychology/development for most of her life and often spent her extra time caring for young children. After spending some time in a different field, Emily was driven back to her passion for working with kids. Emily is dedicated to early childhood professional development. She has previously worked in child care settings and is raising two young children of her own. She is passionate about conscious parenting and reconnecting children to nature and their true being. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, gardening, cooking and energy work.
Tara Gravelin
Teacher
Being raised in Vermont has greatly influenced and led me to understand how crucial the connection and access to nature is! I love being in ALL kids in weather. As a licensed early childhood educator (UVM) and mother of two children, I come back to advocating for play and time in nature. Working in a variety of educational settings, volunteering in Ghana Africa, studying at the North Branch Nature Center, guiding my own children’s learning (Waldorf & Bread & Butter). I can see what is important for the learning, play and teaching of children and adults alike. Around family farming and gardening since I can remember and working as an adult at Trillium Hill Farm & volunteering at New Village Farm – the qualities are healing and nourishing. I have seen the shift in and around learning since my childhood and strive to be a voice. Having gone through “traditional” education as a child and trained professional, I now favor alternative learning styles. I am so happy to have landed here!
Nicole Stevenson
Teacher
Nicole graduated Champlain College with a dual degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. After graduation she worked for AmeriCorps as a Program Director for the DREAM Program. DREAM is a non-profit mentoring organization for children in affordable housing communities. Though the work was rewarding, Nicole missed directly working with children and returned to teaching. She has worked in a variety of school settings and has taught ages ranging from two years to first grade. In 2019 Nicole became reinspired to teach young children thanks to the Waldorf pedagogy. She plans to continue her training in the educational philosophy and hopes it will infuse into her work at Arrowhead Forest Farm. When not at school, you can find Nicole hula hooping, playing outside with her daughter, or training her dogs in agility.