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 Cedarsong Nature School Co-founder and Lead Teacher Erin Kenny has over fifteen years experience in teaching and designing curriculum for children and adults in naturalist studies, including native plant and animal identification, forest ecology, ethnobotany, herbal medicine-making, and sustainable wildcrafting. Her experience comes from the unique opportunity of having lived in and studied the ecosystem of a Western Cascades ancient forest for a decade through her work as a Wilderness Caretaker. Erin's educational background includes a B.A. from the Evergreen State College in Early Childhood Education and Environmental Education, as well as a J.D. in Environmental Law from the U.W. Erin leads guided hikes for such organizations as Washington Native Plant Society, Northwest Wilderness Programs, University of Washington, Chautauqua Elementary, Ancient Forest Education Foundation, and Discover U. She has homeschooled here on Vashon for over ten years both privately and through the Vashon School District's Student Link and Family Link, providing science and history credit for students. Erin is also an accomplished and well-respected local columnist, in addition to being published in several national magazines, such as Permaculture Activist and Earth Works. Erin is passionate about her subject matter and her infectious enthusiasm makes her an extremely likeable and effective teacher. Currently, Erin is Lead Teacher at the Forest Kindergarten every day, Lead Teacher for the Ethnobotany classes, Lead Counselor at all the nature camps, and the primary counselor for the Sensory Integration Nature TherapyTM sessions. Assistant Teacher Karen Olsen, a spontaneous, athletic, vegan, and a tea drinker loves wholeheartedly being surrounded by Mother Nature’s beauty. While living, teaching, volunteering and learning Spanish in Oaxaca, Mexico, Karen realized that her gift and calling was working with children. Karen is a trilingual, and one of her many goals in life is to open an Academic Language School. This year, Karen will attend at Antioch University and earn a masters degree in Education. Karen is thrilled to join the staff at Cedarsong Nature School, and is as eager to learn and grow as much as the preschool children will about their surroundings of Mother Nature’s grace. Currently, Karen is the Assistant Teacher at the Outdoor Preschool on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. “There comes a time when our hearts must be opened and allowed to blossom. Embracing nature does just that.” K.O. Assistant Teacher Emily Vogt is a whole food chef, experienced teacher and a student of Holistic Nutrition, as well as an avid gardener. Emily has been serving seasonal local organic food on Vashon for 15 years, including running her own cafe (Emily's Cafe). These days, Emily is a mama to an amazing 9 year old son and runs her own catering business (Emily's Catering) specializing in lovingly prepared local foods. Emily's life passion is eating healthy foods that are grown locally, and her appreciation for a sustainable lifestyle enables her to be an enthusiastic instructor. Emily holds a MA in International Policy and Relations and is currently working on her PhD in Holistic Nutrition. She considers herself a nature girl and enjoys studying Northwest native plants and their edible and medicinal uses, often incorporating them into her menus. Currently, Emily is the Assistant Teacher at the Outdoor Preschool on Mondays and the full-time Assistant Counselor at the nature camps. She is also on Cedarsong Nature School's Board of Directors. 
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