Our Colorado Team
Kayla
State Director
Kayla is a nature-loving outdoor enthusiast who loves adventure! She is from North Carolina, where she graduated from East Carolina University with a degree in Recreation and Park Management. Throughout college, she worked as a facilitator for ECU’s team training department and she led groups through ropes courses and activities. She also worked at an outdoor adventure summer camp leading group trips and teaching outdoor education to kids. She graduated college with a dream of someday opening her own summer camp. She then moved out west and lived in some awesome places while working seasonal jobs. She worked in California as a naturalist, in Jackson Hole as a kid’s ski instructor & preschool teacher, and Glacier National Park, Montana where she was a Red Bus Tour Guide and met her husband! Kayla and her husband, Andrew, moved to Colorado in 2019 where they love to hike, backpack, and go camping. They love to travel and explore the United States- Kayla has been to 48 U.S. states and 38 out 63 U.S. National Parks!
In between traveling and working seasonal jobs, Kayla started planning her big dream to open a K-12 outdoor school that would run like a summer camp. She saw how the outdoors impacted so many kids in a positive way and realized that kids would learn so much better if school operated like summer camp and the kids could learn in an environment where they could increase their self-confidence, social–awareness, and life skills in the outdoors. Kayla started looking into forest schools as a start and learned about Wild Beginnings Nature School. She realized that being a part of Wild Beginnings would be an amazing start to taking the first step to open the outdoor school of her dreams! She is very excited to be a part of this team and work toward making outdoor education accessible to kids of all ages. Kayla started working for Wild Beginnings Nature School while she was a nanny for a nanny share in Colorado, and she loved helping raise two babies into smart and loving toddlers. She had her first son and she is expecting her second child at the end of 2025!
Shannon
Assistant Director and Nature Explorers Teacher
I was lucky to have a childhood full of outdoor freedom in western PA. I had hills for rolling down, trees for climbing, and a wooded open space where friends and I built forts in the vines and tall grass. As long as I was home before the streetlights came on, I enjoyed the kind of free-range childhood that I thought all kids experienced.
As a teen, my dad became the person who shaped my play into outdoor recreation. He taught me to ski, rock climb, spelunk, cross-country ski, mountain bike, build ziplines, and even sleep in snow caves. As a former Marine, there was always an element of “training” in his lessons, which sometimes made for unforgettable (and occasionally death-defying!) experiences. To test my skills, I invented my own “survival trips,” where I challenged myself to live in the wilderness with only what I’d carry on a day hike. (Record, six days.)
My Bachelor’s degree is in Elementary Education with a minor in Spanish. Later, I achieved a National Board Certification in Early Childhood Literacy. I taught 4th grade in DPS for nine years and served as an Instructional Coach for other teachers. I created an Outdoor Club for students and their families, organizing monthly hikes that combined adventure with environmental education.
I left that role to focus on raising my own family in 2022. Since then, I have volunteered with the small nonprofit Panadero Ski Corporation to design youth outdoor recreation programming in southern Colorado. Through that work, I have coordinated mountain bike and ski/snowboard camps for hundreds of kids who otherwise would not have access to those sports.
After leaving public education, I thought I might someday return to a traditional classroom. But once I began raising my children outdoors, I knew I could never go back. I was drawn to enroll my son in Wild Beginnings because it gave my child the chance to observe dew sparkling on a spiderweb, glittering flecks in a rock, or the crumb an ant was carrying. This type of education should be the norm for all children.
My husband, John, and I share a love for adventure and have introduced our sons, Grey and Thresher, to the outdoors from the very beginning. At age three, Grey became an accomplished skier, an enthusiastic fisher, and a talented rock climber. Thresher’s first sign in ASL was “outside,” quickly followed by “bird.” At age one, he has already walked a mile on his own during a family outing. Together, we enjoy exploring wild spaces around the country. Some of my favorite personal adventures include thru-hiking the Colorado Trail, scuba diving, and rock climbing up the Colorado National Monument.
I am very excited to join the Wild Beginnings team, beyond being part of the parent community, and to use my educational experience and passion for nature to serve the next generation of outdoor explorers and protectors.
Chelsea
Caregiver and Me Coordinator
Chelsea is a Colorado Native who loves the outdoors, art, and science; but most of all being the mom to a little nature lover! Growing up in an adventurous family who were involved in girl scouts, camping, and road trips shaped Chelsea into someone who loves exploring, traveling, and taking care of the planet.
While pursuing her first degree in Biology, Chelsea worked as a lifeguard and swim instructor to children of all ages. After graduating and working in a cancer research lab for several years she decided that she needed to be involved with something more meaningful and people oriented. In 2019, she graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Colorado.
Working in her first job as a RN with children in crises during the pandemic and expecting her own little one was an adventure within itself. Chelsea and her husband Stefan welcomed their sweet girl Lydia in December of 2020 and the greatest adventure of all officially began.
Since becoming a mother, Chelsea has continued to work as a Registered Nurse once a week in the Neurology Department at Swedish Medical Center. During the other 6 days of the week she and Lydia (and dad too) love to bake together, swim, play music, go to the zoo, and much more! They are currently in their second year of trying to be outside for 1000 hours in one year! Every year the little family looks forward to hiking trips as well as out of state and eventually international trips! Chelsea and Lydia are especially excited to be a part of Wild Beginnings in order to share their love of the outdoors with others.
Jaime
Nature Babies Teacher
Jaime has always found joy in the outdoors, working with children, and embracing new adventures. She has been a pediatric occupational therapist for the past seven years, working with children from birth through age 18. Her experience includes supporting children with developmental delays, autism, ADHD, Down syndrome, visual impairments, and a variety of genetic and neurological conditions. Most recently, Jaime has specialized in Early Intervention, partnering with families of children ages 0–3 to help children thrive through play, connection, and everyday experiences. Jaime earned her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Columbia University in New York.
At Wild Beginnings, Jaime is passionate about creating a nurturing space where children and caregivers feel supported, connected, and inspired to grow together. She believes children learn best through play, exploration, and meaningful sensory experiences, and she loves helping families discover the incredible opportunities for learning that nature provides. She is thrilled to combine her background in occupational therapy with her love of child-led, outdoor learning in what she believes is the best classroom of all—the outdoors!
Jaime’s love for nature began during childhood summers spent at the beach, where she chased seagulls, searched for hermit crabs, dug in the sand, and caught waves. As she grew older, that sense of adventure expanded when she studied abroad at sea, visiting 13 countries in four months. Whether camping in Morocco, going on safari in South Africa, or hiking through the Amazon rainforest, each experience deepened her appreciation for the beauty of the natural world and the importance of curiosity, exploration, and lifelong learning. After graduate school, she moved from New York to Colorado, where the mountains quickly became her favorite place to explore.
Today, Jaime enjoys exploring outside with her husband, Jackson, their son, Wesley, and their dog, Rowan—hiking trails and discovering new places. She is excited to share her love of nature with the Wild Beginnings community and help children build curiosity and wonder through outdoor play.
Katie
Nature Explorers Teacher
Katie Malloy has worked with children for over 10 years in both public and private education settings (ages 0-5 years) and is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. As a BCBA, she has worked in a clinical setting with children diagnosed with autism, ADHD, and other developmental delays (ages 2-18 years old). During this time, she was responsible for assessing development and creating behavior plans for children and their families. Throughout her career, Katie had worked on teams including physical therapists, occupational therapists, and mental health professionals. She earned her undergraduate degree in Rehabilitation and Disability Studies from Springfield College and her master’s in Early Childhood Special Education from the University of Denver.
In the world of teaching, Katie’s passion is to supporting families to promote development and create environments for desired behavior. She believes children learn best when they are engaging with hands on learning, consistent boundaries where they feel loved and safe, and are provided the opportunity to explore the world with developmentally appropriate expectations. Simply put, she believes little ones need an enriched childhood where they can be kids!
Outside of school, Katie is usually with her husband, Matt, and their kids, Wesley and Emmersen exploring outside. They enjoy hiking, camping, and skiing.
Alexa
Lead Saplings Teacher
Alexa grew up in San Diego, California, and has enjoyed living in many different places, including Sierra Leone as a Peace Corps volunteer, Syracuse, New York, and now Colorado! She has a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering and has spent the last several years working with children and young people in education, summer camps, and outdoor programs. She loves helping children explore, ask questions, and build a connection with the natural world through hands-on learning and outdoor adventures.
Outside of teaching, Alexa loves hiking, dancing, swimming, paddle boarding, traveling, nature journaling, and arts and crafts. She enjoys exploring new places and spending time outside, whether she is on a trail, near the water, or observing the plants and animals around her. At home, she also has two cats who keep her busy! Alexa is excited to join the Wild Beginnings community and share her love of nature, creativity, and outdoor learning with the children.
Paige
Saplings Teacher
Growing up in England, Paige spent a lot of her family time exploring the local forests, lakes and parks. Her mom and grandma were and still are keen gardeners, so Paige helped out with growing plants and harvesting veggies. From an early age, she developed a passion for nature which only grew as she got older. Paige earned a degree in Natural Sciences and also got an Early Childhood Education qualification. She discovered her love of teaching while working as a preschool teacher in the UK for 6 years.
Paige has a love of travelling, exploring new places and learning about the animals that live there. She volunteered for a wildlife conservation project in the Seychelles, identifying and studying mangrove forests and collecting data on giant tortoises and sea turtles. She even caught and tagged a baby hammerhead shark! Paige also volunteered for an animal welfare charity in England for several years.
Most recently, Paige has spent the past few years nannying for families in Canada and the U.S. while making time to visit lots of national parks. She met her husband here in Colorado, and they now enjoy camping, hiking, playing pickleball and travelling together.
Paige is excited to be back in the “classroom” again, and Wild Beginnings Nature School is the perfect way to combine her love of the environment with her experience in teaching and caring for young children.
Allison
Saplings Teacher
Allison’s love for the outdoors started with hikes around trails in Colorado Springs with her mom when she was a kid. She hiked up Pikes Peak with her sister when she was 14. She spent two summers doing trail work in areas around Colorado and Wyoming in College. Now she’s passing on her love of the outdoors to her two children. Together with her husband, they hike, camp, and work in the garden. Allison has also been a 1st and 2nd grade teacher, preschool teacher, and a reading interventionist in public schools around the Denver area. She is excited to combine her love of teaching and the outdoors with children and their families.
Jocelynn
Pathfinders Teacher
Jocelynn loves teaching at Wild Beginnings Nature School! She enrolled her daughter, Acacia, in the program when she was 18 months old and she’s been a part of it ever since. In the Winter of 2023-24, Jocelynn became a Wild Beginnings teacher for Nature Explorers. In the Spring of 2024, she began teaching Saplings. Jocelynn loves interacting with the preschoolers and getting to know them! Saplings is an intimate program that not only creates a relationship with the kids but also with nature. Jocelynn loves sharing her love and knowledge of plants, animals and bugs with other children and caregivers. If you have the pleasure of taking her class, Jocelynn can give you fun facts about current sightings of plants and animals that are along the Clear Creek Greenbelt.
Jocelynn is a Colorado native that has lived in places all beginning with the letter C, Connecticut, Chicago and California. Colorado is her favorite “C” place to live in and she takes advantage of the beautiful scenery to go hiking, skiing, rafting, climbing and biking. She graduated from Colorado College in 2000 with a major in Biology. At CC, Jocelynn took every field class possible and has a vast knowledge of the flora, fauna and geology of Colorado.
Upon graduation, Jocelynn accepted a job as a professional Ballet and Contemporary dancer in Denver. A year later, she relocated to San Francisco to continue her career in dance. Along the way, she discovered Aerial Arts and much prefers dancing in the air on Trapeze, Rope, Silks or Lyra. She became an instructor in Aerial Arts and Aerial Yoga and quickly became a teacher who trained teachers how to teach Aerial. For the past 25 years she has toured nationally and internationally teaching and performing in Central America, Mexico, Scotland, France, India, and Thailand.
Jocelynn always kept one foot in her science background, and to pay the bills as an artist, she taught Environmental Education, tutored Middle and High School students in Math, Science and SAT prep and was a personal assistant to the owner of the San Francisco Gyrotonic.
She also continued her studies in Botany and particularly, the medicinal uses of plants. Jocelynn studied Clinical Herbalism at the Ohlone School of Herbal Medicine, Northwest School of Botanical Medicine and the Colorado School of Clinical Herbalism. She started Radicle Remedies, a line of hand-made herbal products in 2007. In the fall of 2023, Jocelynn graduated from the Institute of Taoist Education and Acupuncture with a Masters in Acupuncture. She is excited to open her Acupuncture practice once she completes the 3 national board exams required to practice in the state of Colorado.
Amissi
Pathfinders Teacher
Amissi (Am-ih-see) is a holistic, nature loving, Colorado native who has always found peace in this beautiful state. If she ever needs to clear her head, a hike or a trip to the mountains to ground herself is the answer! She has worked in early childhood since 2013 and was the oldest sibling and cousin before that, so she has plenty of experience.
Amissi has always had a passion for teaching children, because watching their faces light up when they are learning something new brings her so much joy.
After about 7 years of nannying, she is ready to get back into the classroom setting and is so excited to teach at Wild Beginnings this year!
Along with early childhood education, Amissi found passion in massage therapy. She loves being able to help people and this is an amazing way of doing just that. Holistic healing is important for the soul and Amissi believes it is valuable to teach children about self care early on, so that it can become part of their natural routine.
Amissi has 2 wonderful boys of her own, Porter and Archer. They are energetic little creatures who love exploring the world around them and soaking up as much knowledge as possible.
