Take Root Team

The Directors, Teachers & Nature Guides of Take Root Forest Learning Community come from varied backgrounds and places. They are teachers, scientists, psychologists, philosophers, explorers, students…what they all have in common is their love and passion for providing children with a unique opportunity to learn through experience. They are drawn to the outdoor world and the wonders of nature. Their backgrounds and education include training and certifications as teachers – both elementary and secondary, in various holistic pedagogues, natural history, the sciences and environmental education philosophies. Take Root trains their teachers using guidelines from the Forest School Teacher Institute and the Academy of Forest Kindergartens. All teachers are certified in CPR and First Aid and are finger-printed and background checked. Take Root upholds the highest standards in safety and in education. Each teacher is passionate and dedicated to the philosophy of the program and the needs of each child.

Emily Feldman (she/her), Co-Founder & Director

Director of Operations: Team/Staff Management, Behavior & Strategies Specialist, Marketing & Media, Festivals, Camp, Waldorf Methods & Curriculum

Emily Feldman, co-founder of Take Root Forest Learning Community and founder of Treehouse Learning has been teaching and directing for over 15 years in both public and private institutions. She uses progressive educational methodologies, including Waldorf and other cooperative learning models to foster a community of independent, creative thinkers and balanced, well-rounded human beings. Emily stepped into the world of education with a desire to create a safe, loving atmosphere – supportive of learning, growing and discovering.  She sees each child’s true potential and is passionate about encouraging and guiding the children through fun and compelling education. This passion led her to build and grow Treehouse Learning from the ground up.  Now, in co-creating and directing Take Root, Emily is moving forward, bringing her dreams to life.

Christy Schultz (she/her), Co-Founder & Director

Executive Director: Administration, Marketing, Enrollment & Content Design, Nature Family Field Trips, Nature & Place-Based Methods & Curriculum

Christy Schultz, co-founder of Take Root and founder of The Nature Teacher and ECO-Every Child Outside, has been working with children and teaching, in both the indoor and outdoor classroom, for more than 25 years. Her experience is diverse and unique. After graduating from Florida State University and pursuing her chosen field of Elementary Education, she spent years hoping to find fulfillment while occasionally working in the more traditional classroom. Looking for a change and seeing a need for nature education in the community, she discovered the wonders of the outdoor classroom – where she has continued inspiring and educating both the young and old on the beauty of natural ecosystems, particularly those in South Florida. As a Certified Florida Master Naturalist and Interpretive Guide, Christy is well-trained and versed in the intricacies of Florida Natural History and Ecology.  She has spent the last 20 years out in the field – along our coastal shores, in the waters of the swamps, and hiking the highlands.  She and her students are always discovering, exploring, and learning. Take Root Forest Learning Community is the natural path for Christy…in co-creating and directing Take Root, her long-term ambitions are coming to fruition.

TAKE ROOT TEAM

Camila Sosa, a first generation immigrant, found solace as a child in the classroom amongst teachers and classmates with whom she felt a bond. Those teachers made a long lasting impact on her life and thus inspired Camila to become an educator herself. After completing her AA in Early Childhood Education, Camila struggled to picture herself in a traditional classroom. She did not envision forming the kind of relationships she wanted in her classroom within the boundaries of the public model. Immediately after graduating Camila sought out an alternative form of education and luckily came across Treehouse Learning. For one year she trained with Director, Emily Feldman, learning and implementing holistic models like the Waldorf Pedagogy.  Over the next few years as a teacher in the outdoor environment, Camila witnessed and experienced many lessons that Mother Nature provided. These experiences widened her idea of education to one that holds space for healthy relations between humans, as well as to the place and the land. Outside of being outside 😉 , Camila enjoys challenging her mind through hobby board games (no, not like monopoly)  and connecting body and mind via physical activity. Camila Sosa has been a part of the Take Root Community for more than six years and will be using her years of experience as Onsite Director for the Dade Take Root programs and also as the lead Tender Roots Guide.

Charmaine Alavi and her family of 4 moved from Canada to sunny South Florida in 2022, they have been loving it since. Her two children attend Take Root Forest School and are thoroughly enjoying their experiences as Tender and Adventure Roots. Charmaine enjoys the outdoors, swimming, yoga and crafting of all sorts. As a very family oriented person, she and her husband and two kids enjoy adventures together – taking the opportunity to try new and exciting things. Charmaine has been working 20 + years in both public and private school settings, as well as summer camp counseling in Bancroft, Ontario. During that time she taught early childhood up to grade 6. She holds degrees in Accomplished Early Childhood Education, Bachelors in Psychology, Bachelors in Education, and Special Education. From raising caterpillars as they transform to butterflies and setting them free, growing beans, planting trees, and going on nature adventures in all seasons…the wonders of nature inspired Charmaine when teaching over the years. She worked diligently to adapt the mainstream classroom into a more nature-based classroom by following the philosophies of Waldorf and Reggio Emilio – incorporating a more holistic approach to learning. Charmaine creates curriculum and activities inspired by the children’s curiosity. When her daughter was young she came upon a mainly outdoor school that followed Reggio Emilio, Waldorf and holistic style. Charmaine quickly fell in love and enrolled her daughter. Upon moving to South Florida, she and her family discovered Take Root and knew they needed to be a part of it. Now, Charmaine will be sharing her enthusiasm and zest for learning with not only her own kids, but the forest school kids. Charmaine will be using her years of experience as Onsite Director for the Broward Take Root programs.

Holly Goldfarb Reeves was born in Brooklyn NY. Her family moved to south Florida in 1976 when she was 4 years old. Holly spent her childhood playing in the mangroves – with long days digging in the dirt climbing trees and swimming in the ocean.
As a licensed massage therapist, Holistic Health Care Counselor and Birth Doula of over 25 years, Holly has been an active part the South Florida community. In 2017, Holly decided to leave her private practice – after 19 years, in order to homeschool her daughter, Juniper. As a homeschooling mom, she realized her natural talent for teaching. Holly followed her heart and has continued teaching – whether for her daughter, for a homeschool pod, for her self-created Nature Scouts group and for Take Root’s Nature Seekers.  
She is a teller of stories, a singer of songs, a lover of animals, plants, people and the whole planet…Holly views the world with a childlike wonder. Through her passion for teaching, being outdoors, preserving and educating the beautiful sunshine state of Florida, Holly feels right at home being a part of the Take Root Forest School team. Holly will be inspiring the Broward Adventure Roots with her tales, songs, stories and endless energy – naturally and seamlessly creating a LOVE for LEARNING!

Elizabeth (Lizzie) Albolino moved to south Florida at age 2 from NY. Her father moved the family to be raised in what he described as a tropical paradise, and it was! She grew up on the sandy beaches with her family submerged in all the beauty and wonder Florida offers. Long days beach side, exploring her lush magical backyard and reading were big parts of what made up childhood for her. Lizzie is a lover of animals, nature and children. She went on to work in early education. Working with kids was a natural talent and she enjoyed planning and teaching the more creative side of things. Crafting, baking, sewing, knitting, fairytale, folklore and history are a few of her greatest passions and talents.  Aside from early education Lizzie also has a degree from Johnson and Whales as a pastry chef. Lizzie’s recipe for childhood is to add a little faith trust & pixie dust and anything can become magical! After working in a law firm as a paralegal for many years Lizzie realized that this work was not soulful, and she missed children and the great outdoors! Lizzie was thrilled when given the opportunity to join the Take Root team where she is able to be the truest version of herself, sharing her many creative talents and easy-going disposition. Lizzie will be adventuring with the Explorer Roots in the Broward Forest!

Laura Sazunic is a native of Argentina, where she obtained a degree of Bachelor of Science in Special Education and started Waldorf Teacher Training.
Since the beginning, Laura was known for having an innovative approach to teaching – always moving desks aside or working outside the classroom. Laura strived to nurture the soul, mind, and body of her students, adding hints of art, acting, dancing, and games to the mainstream curriculum. She expanded the boundaries of the “old school” with positive feedback from peers, parents, and children alike.
Laura knew there had to be an alternative out there, something more “in-tune” with her view of the child, and her personality. She researched Reggio Emilia, Montessori, and Waldorf approaches and from each one of them she assimilated wonderful things.
After moving with her husband to South Florida, Laura joined a Waldorf start-up that years later would become an established Waldorf School. During her time there she worked with early childhood and elementary age children. Laura taught Main Lessons and special classes including Spanish, handwork, games, and developmental movement. She had a great deal of fun developing and implementing summer camps for mixed ages and participating in field trips and seasonal events. Meanwhile, she completed further training for Waldorf Teachers and graduated from AHE’s Educational Support Program. With the arrival of her second child in 2017, Laura started exploring at-home and on-the-road schooling alternatives, which allowed her and her family to spend more time together and in nature. On that road, Laura met the Take Root Team and experienced the inspiring work taking place. Laura adds her tremendous experience, love for nature and alternative learning to the Take Root Team. Laura gently guides the Tender Roots and their families as they play and learn in the forest.

Mária K. Decsy specializes in fostering learning through play and
guiding children to explore new ideas and experiences, focusing in on nurturing curiosity, competence, creativity, community, mindfulness and effective self-expression. She is particularly passionate about early education through nature play, believing it enhances children’s learning and development. Mária’s strengths lie in engaging children, designing experiential activities, and building strong relationships with both children and parents. Her diverse educational background includes roles as a governess, nanny, ESL and music teacher, and facilitator of preschool and toddler activities. Mária’s young daughter has been an invaluable part of her journey, accompanying Mária to nanny jobs and
outdoor classes. Mária is eager to bring her skills and enthusiasm to the Take Root Team in Broward while engaging with the kids ages 5-6.

Catalina Lemaitre has worked with children since she was a teen, at after-school programs, as a volunteer in art therapy children’s groups and schools, in Nepal while traveling the world, and more recently, as a homeschool mom. In the past Catalina worked in Public Diplomacy at the US Department of State traveling across embassies to better understand and measure the impact of cultural and arts activities. She witnessed first-hand the power of art in changing lives, fostering peace and promoting mutual, cross-cultural understanding. Catalina has a Master’s Degree in Peace Operations from George Mason University’s School of Public Policy, and an undergraduate degree in Economics with a minor in Art History from Suffolk University.  She is also formally trained in Mind Body Medicine, Yoga, Nature Education and Observational Drawing, and informally in so many other art forms (lately macramé and weaving obsessed). In 2023, Catalina founded Art History in the Park, a play-based shared art history & art making experience for homeschooling families – a monthly community space for families to come together and explore their shared human history and innate creativity. Catalina’s work is devoted to bringing art back to the center of our experience, ensuring that every child knows that creativity is innately human, and to do so with nature as the third teacher. Also in 2023, she began teaching at local micro schools and had the honor to create a customized Art History Play program for Take Root, a dream match since both her children attend and love this program and over the past 4 years it has become an extension of their family. The location couldn’t be more ideal, the Bonnet House Museum and gardens offers such a rich environment for art & history adventures. Monthly, Catalina will bring her Art History in the Park program to Take Root’s homeschool groups – cultivating new artistic & observational skills, growth in connection to ourselves, each other and the amazing history of Bonnet House through art, history & play.