Story of a Forest School teacher and director
By Tracy Roberts
Director, Acorn Village Forest School www.acornvillage.org
Certified graduate Academy Forest Kindergarten Teacher Training program
When I first met Lia and found Wild Roots, I enrolled my child immediately even though we lived 40 minutes away. There was nothing in our area that was what I was looking for. I spent the first year with him to help with separation anxiety, but also because I enthralled with what I saw happening there.
I already had a masters in early childhood education and had already begun my Waldorf Teacher Training, but knew immediately that this was something I wanted to do.
The next year I started Acorn Village Forest School. Looking back, I jumped in and probably before I knew all I needed to know. During the year at Wild Roots, and after that I constantly asked Lia for her help and for a mentoring type situation.
Soon after I graduated from Waldorf Teacher Training, Lia opened the first class of the Academy of Forest Kindergarten's Teacher Training program. I knew immediately this was something I needed to do.
Forest School has always been me, it defines me, but I needed the guidance of those who have come before. Forest School combines all my passions into one: caring for the Earth, learning about local flora and fauna, primitive skills, and the development of the youngest members of our human race. All of that is covered in teacher training and more.
I have never gained more as a teacher or as a human in any level of my education than I did in the 3 years of teacher training. I am so grateful for the extreme detail and thought the Academy put into every aspect of what we do as forest school teachers.
I am grateful for the first day I started a friction fire, I was overwhelmed with emotion because it seemed so symbolic to me of my growth. I am grateful that the training brought Erin and Kelly into my life in a much deeper way and that I not only gained one mentor but three. I am grateful for the difficult discussions and the focus on our personal growth. I am grateful for their continued support of Acorn Village and knowing that now that I have graduated, I have colleagues.
Thank you for all that I have gained and primarily for helping me to confidently do my life's work.