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Hello! I’m Amanda Bell, owner and director of Santa Cruz Forest School since 2016.
The best part of the job, and one reason I continue to put my heart into the forest school, is that I have seen how much the children absolutely love it, year after year. It's an important part of the mountain community to have this space for children to learn and play outside and for like-minded parents to meet.
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The continuation of learning that occurs naturally when you spend time outside is another great reason to love forest school. During our time together, we name trees, plants, animals, mushrooms and birds when we see them or hear them. My naturalist knowledge has become strong with this practice, and I love to share it with the children.
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My college days were spent in the Geology department, and I truly enjoyed touring natural spaces, learning natural history, and taking every field trip class offered. I earned a B.S. from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a M.S. focusing on climate change research at the Ohio State University.
My sweet family and I moved to California from Columbus, Ohio in 2011. Our kids are now in high school and college. We live in Scotts Valley and have a love dog named Princess Leia.
Lauren Talbert – Outdoor Educator
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With 20+ years in childcare and a heart for outdoor learning, I believe the best classrooms are filled with trees, dirt, and endless discovery (and lots of worms!).
As an auntie to eight, I am confident that kids thrive when encouraged to explore, create, and be their unique selves.
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My goal is to create a learning environment rooted in kindness, respect, and curiosity, helping children learn by looking and growing through hands-on experiences in nature.
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At home in Soquel with my family and two kitties, you’ll often find me gardening, cooking, or enjoying good music.
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I’m excited to share my love of the outdoors with young explorers at Forest School!