Rachel Kennedy
Founder/Lead Teacher
From the time I was a child growing up on a homestead in the Maine woods, purposeful work and connection to the land have been woven into my life. My parents built a home with stones from the river and logs from the woods. They raised vegetables and dairy goats. I played with magic stumps and built houses for wee people, had milkweed fights with my brothers, clipped brush from the edges of the pastures, dug outhouse holes, swam in the lake as the loons called, and was acutely aware of the wonder of life. I went to Sterling College in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. I swung an axe, read literature of the rural experience, learned to drive draft horses, canoed rivers with my handmade paddle as the ice broke, planted seeds, and studied environmental science. I studied sustainable building and agriculture at Prescott College and Carpentry at the North Bennett Street School. I received my Waldorf Teacher Training at Antioch New England University and my Curative Education Training from the Mulberry Center for Curative Education.
An Early Childhood teacher at The Hartsbrook School for 14 years, I founded The Hartsbrook School's Forest Kindergarten in 2014.
Amy Shamansky
Assistant Teacher
As a child, I was always drawn to nature, especially animals. This led to my study of Zoology as an undergraduate at Michigan State University. Adding an M.S. degree in Environmental Education from California State University, San Bernardino, I’ve taught grade school, high school and worked with special needs students. A diploma from The Expressive Arts Institute of San Diego allowed me to deepen my love of art, music, dance, writing, and theater. Four years spent living in Spain has rekindled my involvement with nature journaling, a way to bring art and writing to a deeper understanding. I bring all of this to what I love most: connecting with others, especially children, in a way that is nurturing and healing, helping others aspire to become their best selves.
Dan Kennedy
Business Manager/Support
I act in a support role at the Tree of Life, from balancing the books to being the go-to guy. A professional musician, my recorded music has garnered over 670,000 plays on the internet. I've played Solo Piano concerts in 21 states as well as Canada.