Online offerings:

Come gather ‘round

A call for your questions!

Free Online gathering for educators & parents

Jan. 22, 2025 5:00-6:15 pm PST

Feb. 19, 2025 5:00-6:15 pm PST

Mar. 12, 2025 5:00-6:15 pm PST

You are invited to send us your questions! Lia Grippo & Erin Dews of the Academy of Forest Kindergarten Teachers will select from the submitted questions to address each session and offer insights, practical advice, and support. Open to all. Feel free to join whether you send us a question or not. Registrants will be able to attend the live Zoom session or receive a recording after to view at your convenience.

Free- Submit Questions & REGISTER HERE

In-person Offerings:

Reclaiming Nature Connection Weekend Workshops 2025

Birds of a Feather

Community building through celebration of seasonal rhythms

March 29-30, 2025 Santa Barbara, California

More Info & To Register Click Here

Workshops &

Professional Development

Academy of Forest Kindergarten Teachers offers a variety of workshops and classes designed to enrich and inspire individuals who want to share their knowledge, enthusiasm and wonder of nature with young children. Participating in our workshops also connects participants with a diverse community of naturalists and educators. Additionally, the Academy designs and implements unique programs for professional teams, schools and organizations tailored to your specific needs. We offer professional development as in-service at your location or on the land in our neck of the woods. Join our email list to be updated when workshops are added to the calendar. Contact us if you are interested in hosting a workshop or with interest in Professional Development.

“The team at Academy of Forest Kindergarten Teachers has been a tremendous gift to our young school. Our teachers always return from trainings full of excitement and enthusiasm, and the songs they learn are inevitably sung back through the children all over the campus. The tools and resources our teachers have gotten from these well-organized trainings have supported our Forest Kindergarten program in becoming cutting edge in very short order. The trainings are remarkably impactful. The team brings concrete information together with tremendous heart and years of experience to make this a big gift to our teachers. We are so grateful. ”
— Dr. Paul Astin / Founder and Executive Director / Manzanita School and Institute
























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Professional Development

The Academy designs and implements unique programs for professional teams, schools and organizations tailored to your specific needs. We offer professional development as in-service at your location or on the land in our neck of the woods.

A sampling of topics include:

  • Storytelling

  • Teaching as a Performing Art

  • Nature and the Young Child

  • Nature Centered Teaching on the Playground

  • Rhythm and Ritual in the Life of the Young Child

  • Filling Up Your Toolbox: Songs, Rhymes, Games, and Crafts with Nature in Mind

  • The Mentoring Approach in Early Childhood

  • Creative Discipline - Setting Boundaries

  • Becoming a Nature Connected Teacher

  • Working Together: Organizational Teamwork

  • Let us know your group's needs or wishes...

Contact us with interest in Professional Development, we look forward to working with you.