Meet Our Team

Hello! I'm Katie the founder and director of Little Garden School. This work was born from a life's journey starting with my own childhood then 15+ years of working with children in various settings and now as a mother with big dreams for nature-based education in our community and beyond. It has been an incredible journey that has nurtured a deep passion for holistic education for all. 

Originally a Colorado native, I discovered a true love for teaching as a rock climbing program director.  That led me to then work  as an assistant in a Waldorf play-based kindergarten, where my view of education was forever changed. 

Life circumstances (aka baby on the way) led me to start my own in-home nature-based program in 2020 and there Little Garden School was born. In 2022 I moved with my husband and daughter to Kentucky, where Little Garden School has blossomed into what it is today. 

Outside of nature school, I live what I teach! Many of our days are spent out in the garden or going on adventures to explore our beautiful state. My husband and I also run an online shop selling handcrafted wooden toys and art supplies. 

My faith in Christ is the very core of who I am  and there is no doubt that it is God who led our family to where we are today. It is this faith that fuels my passion for nature, beauty, and nurturing a peaceful, gentle environment where children can thrive. 

I love any chance to continue to pursue education for the work I do and most recently completed a Forest School Director Training in TN.  

Hello! I’m Leigh Ann, an educator, yoga teacher and proud native of Grayson County. I have lived in Long Island, New York for the last 16 years but every road leads home and

I am excited to be back! I align completely

with the school's mission to nurture the whole child through building a connection to

nature while encouraging imaginative and creative play. With 20+ years of experience and a BA in Early Elementary Education, I

have seen curiosity and play connect us all to joy, ourselves and each other. Creating a

safe, caring and inviting space for all children to thrive is my top priority. When we all are seen, heard and respected we feel included and we become a caring community. Having a sense of community gives the children the courage to explore, the freedom to take risks, and it creates the foundation for them to be lifelong learners. 

Mr. Taylor would write his own bio but he is too busy planning out the next project for Little Garden School. He is Ms. Katie's husband and biggest supporter. Without his building expertise and hard work, Little Garden School would not exist. He is mostly behind the scenes but occasionally steps in to build a fire, flip pancakes, or help with a project. He is a woodworker extraordinaire and when he is not building our next school addition, you'll find him hard at work in his workshop making dollhouses and toys for his and Katie's Etsy shop,