Meet Our Team

Katie Carrillo is the heart behind Little Garden School, a nature-based program rooted in holistic, child-led play and learning. With over 15 years of experience working with children in a wide range of settings, she brings deep care, creativity, and intention to all she does. As a mother and lifelong student of child development, Katie truly lives what she teaches—blending her personal and professional journey into a gentle, grounded approach to early childhood education and beyond.

Originally from Colorado, Katie first discovered her love for teaching while leading a youth rock climbing program. That journey led her to a Waldorf, play-based kindergarten classroom, where her understanding of education—and of childhood itself—was forever changed. She fell in love with an approach to education that sees and honors the whole child—one that protects the wonder of childhood by offering time, space, and freedom to play.

In 2020, she launched Little Garden School as an in-home program while expecting her daughter, Willow. After relocating to Kentucky in 2022, the school has grown into a thriving community rooted in nature, wonder, and connection.

Katie is passionate about creating peaceful, meaningful spaces where children feel safe to explore, imagine, and grow. Her faith deeply informs her life and work—shaping her love for nature, reverence for each child, and commitment to a nurturing, beauty-filled learning environment.

Outside of Little Garden School, Katie spends her days gardening, exploring Kentucky’s wild places with her family, and homeschooling her daughter. She and her husband also run a small online shop offering handcrafted wooden toys and art supplies. Katie recently completed her Forest School Director Training with Forest School Teacher Institute and continues to pursue learning that enriches her work with children and families.

Little Garden School reflects Katie’s love for the natural world and her belief that children thrive when given time, space, and beauty to grow—just like a garden.

Sarah Sotkiewicz is a passionate Nature School Facilitator who believes that childhood is best nurtured outdoors. With a background in outdoor recreation and experience working with underprivileged youth, Sarah brings a deep respect for the rhythms of the natural world to her work with children. She guides young learners through seasonal, nature-based experiences that foster wonder, resilience, and connection. Her approach blends emergent curriculum, storytelling, sensory exploration, and hands-on discovery to support each child’s growth in body, mind, and spirit.

Whether building fairy houses from forest treasures, listening to birdsong, or stomping through puddles after the rain, Sarah creates a safe, inclusive space where curiosity leads and every child's voice matters. She helps children develop trust in themselves, a deep connection to the earth, and a quiet sense of joy every day.

When she isn't teaching, Sarah can be found tending her garden, volunteering with her church community, or walking slowly through the woods with a thermos of tea—following her own two wild explorers. She and her family are devoted to living wonder-filled, earth-connected lives and embracing a childhood rooted in nature.

Kaelin McWilliams started her career working with children in 2012 as a summer camp counselor while pursuing a degree in Wildlife Management. She quickly realized her love for working with children was just as great as her passion for the outdoors. 

After graduating from Eastern Kentucky University she became a Conservation Educator with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife. For 10 years she visited elementary schools across several counties teaching about conserving Kentucky’s natural resources and ultimately striving to instill a love and respect for nature. Summers were spent at Camp Currie where Kaelin instructed archery. She considers working with children to be an honor and privilege especially after her daughter, Sutton, was born in 2022. 

Kaelin lives in Grayson County with her family and is usually outside with Sutton and their dogs or in the kitchen baking. Kaelin is excited to share her love for nature and Kentucky’s native species and looks forward to learning alongside the children. 

Mr. Taylor is Katie’s husband and Little Garden School's greatest supporter, his skill, dedication, and hard work are the foundation upon which our programs are built.

Though mostly working quietly behind the scenes, he occasionally steps in to build a fire, flip pancakes, or assist with hands-on projects. When he isn't helping with school projects, you'll find him in his workshop crafting beautiful dollhouses and toys for their Etsy shop. 

Little Garden School no doubt flourishes thanks to his skilled craftsmanship and steady support. 

Josh French holds a Level 1 Forest Teacher Certification and a Forest School Naturalist Certification from the Forest School Teacher Institute, as well as a Free Play Facilitator certification through Bernheim Arboretum’s Playcosystem. These trainings reflect his commitment to creating spaces where children can freely explore, take risks, and develop a lasting sense of wonder.

His love for the outdoors began at age thirteen, when he spent back-to-back summers exploring the wilderness of Missouri, followed by travels out West that opened his eyes to the beauty and diversity of wild landscapes. Today, he shares that same appreciation for nature with his two daughters, homeschooling them with his wife, Amanda, and involving them in forest school programs. Outside of Little Garden School, Josh co-runs a photography and videography business with his wife and enjoys tending to his chickens and garden.

Lindsey Highbaugh is a homeschool mom to three girls who has always had a love for the outdoors and adventure, shaped by a childhood spent camping and hiking. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Equine Science and Management from the University of Kentucky, along with a minor in Agricultural Economics. When she’s not spending time with her family, Lindsey enjoys running, baking, visiting her home state of Delaware, exploring Farmers Markets and National Parks, and creating rich, meaningful childhood experiences for her daughters.