Mountain Magic Learning

My name is Maddie and I grew up in Southern Appalachia making mud pies, catching fireflies, and swimming in creeks. The sound of frogs croaking at dusk was my cue that it was time to head inside. The outdoors was always a magical place for me, so it only made sense to pursue a career where I could inspire children to discover that same sense of wonder. In 2019, I moved to Montana to work on an educational, conservation-based ranch—and after one summer in the mountains, I canceled my plane ticket home. I've been here ever since, gaining experience teaching in a variety of settings, including public and private schools, micro-schools, and nonprofit education programs. One thing I’ve consistently noticed across all of these spaces is the lack of emphasis on outdoor education and exploration for youth in America. We know that time in nature boosts mood, supports sensory development, and helps regulate big emotions in little bodies—so why not make outdoor learning a priority? With five years of experience teaching and facilitating nature-based education programs in the nonprofit world, I’ve been developing my own curriculum of “wild learning”—using nature as a co-teacher and the seasons as our rhythm. I’m excited to share these educational resources with you, and I hope they inspire meaningful learning on your next adventure.

I’m a nature educator, conservation education programs manager for a non-profit organization, and an avid outdoorswoman living in a small mountain town in Montana. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been fascinated by the natural world—spending most of my time outside exploring, collecting tiny treasures, and letting my imagination run wild. These lifelong passions have deeply shaped my teaching and curriculum style, which emphasizes place-based, nature-immersed learning. I’ve always learned best through hands-on discovery and inquiry-led exploration, and I aim to bring those elements into well-rounded curriculum and activities that you can use in the classroom, at home, or out in the wild while trail-side teaching. This “wild learning” approach inspires playful yet purposeful experiences, rooted in real-life moments. These lesson plans are thoughtfully designed to support a wide range of ages and developmental stages—from kindergarten through sixth grade. They can even be adapted to suit broader age groups. Nature-based science lessons are especially well-suited for mixed-age learning because they center on hands-on exploration, curiosity, and observation—experiences that are accessible and meaningful to learners of all ages. Unlike subjects such as math or language arts, which often rely on sequential skill-building and grade-specific benchmarks, nature invites learners to engage at their own level. Younger students may focus on sensory experiences and basic cause-and-effect, while older students can explore more complex scientific concepts, collect data, and make ecological connections. The natural world offers layered learning that grows with the child, making it an ideal setting for multi-age education. For example, in a lesson on wildflowers, a kindergartener and a sixth grader might participate in the same activity but take away entirely different understandings based on their developmental readiness. A kindergartener may learn that plants need sunlight, water, and air to survive, while a sixth grader may examine how plants convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis. With thoughtful facilitation, educators can easily scaffold these experiences to ensure every student is engaged, challenged, and inspired—no matter their age.

I graduated from Montana State University in 2022 with a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies. Since then, I’ve pursued a variety of certifications to further develop my teaching skills, leadership abilities, and professional growth. These include the Montana Master Naturalist Certification, Basic Archery Instructor Certification, and Wilderness First Responder Certification.

🥾 I’m happiest outside—hiking, rock climbing, skiing, or rafting my way through the mountains. 🌄 I grew up in wild and wonderful West Virginia, right on the edge of the New River Gorge. 🦌 My favorite animal? The Rocky Mountain elk. They’re massive, majestic, and when a bull lets out a bugle—trust me, you never forget it. 🦎 My favorite lessons to instruct are the ones by the creek. Growing up on a river made exploring riverbanks feel like pure magic. 👣 My class sessions usually end with soggy boots, big smiles, and a parade of drenched kids hiking home— because nothing beats unstructured play and nature-based learning in Mountain West!