Cedarsong Nature School Co-founder and Lead Teacher Erin Kenny has over fifteen years experience in teaching and designing curriculum for children and adults in naturalist studies, including native plant and animal identification, forest ecology, ethnobotany, herbal medicine-making, and sustainable wildcrafting. Her experience comes from the unique opportunity of having lived in and studied the ecosystem of a Western Cascades ancient forest for a decade through her work as a Wilderness Caretaker. Erin's educational background includes a B.A. from the Evergreen State College in Early Childhood Education and Environmental Studies, as well as a J.D. in Environmental Law from the U.W. Erin leads guided hikes for such organizations as Washington Native Plant Society, Northwest Wilderness Programs, University of Washington, Chautauqua Elementary, Ancient Forest Education Foundation, and Discover U. She has homeschooled here on Vashon for over ten years both privately and through the Vashon School District's Student Link and Family Link, providing science and history credit for students. Erin is also an accomplished and well-respected local columnist, in addition to being published in several national magazines, such as Permaculture Activist and Earth Works. Erin is passionate about her subject matter and her infectious enthusiasm makes her an extremely likeable and effective teacher.


Karen Olsen is a spontaneous, athletic, vegan, and a tea drinker who loves wholeheartedly being surrounded by Mother Nature’s beauty. While living, teaching, volunteering and learning Spanish in Oaxaca, Mexico, Karen realized that her gift and calling was working with children. Karen is a trilingual, and one of her many goals in life is to open an Academic Language School. This year, Karen is attending Antioch University and earning her Masters Degree in Education. Karen is thrilled to join the staff at Cedarsong Nature School, and is as eager to learn and grow as much as the preschool children will about their surroundings of Mother Nature’s grace. As of Jan. 3, 2011, Karen is on Sabbatical from her position as one of our Forest Kindergarten Teachers to pursue her Masters in Education degree in Europe. She will return to her position in July 2011.


Kristen Spencer has always loved spending time with young children. She has an AA in Early Childhood Education from North Seattle Community College supplemented by 20 years of experience, including working in Montessori preschools, participating in preschool cooperatives, and operating her own preschool. In addition, Kristen is a Certified Nursing Assistant and has completed 7 quarters of American Sign Language instruction. Kristen is also a mother to 3 wonderful boys, ages 8, 15 and 18, and she is currently finishing her BS in Social Sciences through Washington State University’s Distance Degree Program. Kristen loves being outside, especially when it’s raining, and she is very excited to be sharing her love of the Northwest environment with our children.