Get to know the educators and staff that help to deliver our unique, nature-rich programming.
We couldn’t do what we do without them.
izzy beccera, lead teacher
Izzy draws on her background in English language learning and childhood education to connect Red Oaks students to nature through literature and storytelling. Her own lifelong passion for the outdoors was cultivated during her childhood exploring the woods of Eastern Kentucky, and is committed to providing children with similar opportunities to learn to love nature. Izzy values the community at Red Oaks, which offers a supportive environment for families who share her interests in nature-based education and exploration.
Tina Brouwer kraska, executive director and lead teacher
Tina holds a B.S. in Natural Resource Conservation & Management, a Master's degree in Peregrine Falcon Behavior & Ecology from the University of Kentucky, and the Southeastern Appalachian Naturalist Certification through the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont. During her graduate studies, she was awarded the sole Teaching Assistantship and instructed undergraduate students in Dendrology. She also accumulated more than 1,000 hours of field experience observing peregrine falcons, earning her the nickname Peregrine Lady. Tina is fascinated by ecology and the interconnectedness of all things. In addition to her work with Red Oaks, Tina is a professional photographer who loves helping her students capture their world through pictures.
Christina Bruno, lead teacher
Christina graduated from the University of Vermont with degrees in Art Education and Psychology, and was awarded Most Outstanding in the field of Art Education. She is a nature-loving multimedia artist with over a decade of teaching experience. Since joining Red Oaks in 2022, Christina has been living her dream of sharing the combined healing powers of nature immersion and engaging in the creative process! Her forest school experience has deepened her love of working with early childhood, and sparked her passion for facilitating child-led learning experiences through play. She’s grateful to be learning and growing in curiosity and inspiration alongside her students in the beauty and wisdom of nature.
KAITLIN BULLOCK, volunteer coordinator and lead teacher
Kaitlin is a certified yoga teacher who brings a trauma-informed approach to everything she teaches. With a deep belief that peace, presence, and self-regulation are essential skills for everyone, she is passionate about helping others discover these qualities through mindful connection with themselves and nature. Kaitlin loves guiding children in learning about birds, conservation, and the powerful connection between play, exploration, and nature. She encourages a love and respect for the earth, helping students understand why caring for our planet and ourselves matters deeply.
Megan Crawford, operations manager
Megan has a graduate degree in Sustainability and is a Kentucky Master Naturalist. Before moving to Kentucky in 2012, Megan helped start the first indoor public market in Pittsburgh and ran the only all-organic farmers market there. She also spent some years working on an organic farm, wrote and published two editions of a guide to green living book, and owned a small consulting business that worked to remediate abandoned urban land into usable growing spaces. Megan has been bringing her valuable organizational skills to Red Oaks since 2021, and she really loves spreadsheets!
Rachael Dupree, program coordinator and lead teacher
Rachael holds a degree in Journalism from Ohio University and worked for more than a decade as a magazine editor and writer, with a focus on sustainability and parenting. She has since used her skills to fuel her curiosity and self-education in nature studies, and loves bringing that element of wonder and discovery to her roles at Red Oaks. She lives with her family on 50 forested acres in Central Kentucky, where they spend a lot of time foraging for wild plants and mushrooms, bird watching, and exploring the terrain.
Stephanie Fritz, lead teacher
Stephanie studied Special Education at Vanderbilt University, winning the Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence. After teaching for several years in public school just outside of Nashville, Stephanie moved and began teaching for the flagship charter school Success Academy Harlem 1 in New York City. A couple of years later, she helped open a new charter school with the network, Success Academy Union Square. Stephanie was awarded their inaugural Teacher Excellence Award. Now, she uses her knowledge to breathe magic, wonder, and academic rigor into her homeschool instruction with her three children.
annie griggs, Lead teacher
Annie is a professionally certified environmental educator from Lexington. She studied biology at the University of Kentucky with a focus on Ecology. She has taught in Georgia, Wisconsin, Missouri and Kentucky, and has given talks to crowds of over 1,000 people. Her favorite topics are ornithology and waste management, but she has taught everything from fish anatomy to pioneer history. She used to be a zookeeper and has worked with dozens of species of birds, particularly raptors. Annie has been teaching for Red Oaks since 2019 and has taught nearly every program during that time.
Jenn Hazzard, lead teacher
Jennifer has degrees in Social Work and Sociology, with a concentration in Criminal Justice, from Colorado State University. She has spent most of her career working within the criminal justice and education systems, helping adults and children living with intellectual and developmental disabilities and/or mental illness. As a youth, Jennifer loved the outdoors and science, and now enjoys spending time with her family outdoors being creative, curious, and active. Having seen first-hand the benefits of this time with her family, she’s excited to marry her loves for nature and education, with hopes of emboldening a passionate curiosity in Red Oaks students and families.
Pete Kraska, lead teacher
Pete brings decades of experience in outdoor leadership and hands-on education to his role as Trailblazer Instructor at Red Oaks Forest School. A lifelong outdoorsman and former wilderness guide in Alaska, Pete combines practical bushcraft and trail-building skills with a deep background in teaching and research as a longtime college professor. When he’s not leading students up the mountain, he can often be found shaping trails and structures on his own land, always exploring how nature, craftsmanship, and learning intersect. His approach blends curiosity, resilience, and respect for the land into every lesson.
Kendra McGuire, lead teacher
Kendra holds a Bachelor's degree in Recreation and Parks Administration from Eastern Kentucky University, with certificates in Environmental Education and Environmental Science. She grew up near the Red River Gorge, where she spent much of her childhood climbing trees, playing in the creek, and hiking with her family. She has always felt most like herself when outdoors, which spurred her desire to build a career around nature. She's passionate about using her experiences and knowledge to help kids build a lasting relationship with the environment.
Esmee McKee, assistant teacher
Esmee is an organic farmer, homeschool parent, yoga instructor, and lover of all things nature. With a Montessori background, she finds Red Oaks to be an incredible program based on its dedication to child-led learning, unique experiences, and quality outdoor education. Esmee has been assisting classes at Red Oaks in Frankfort since 2023. Both of her children attend Red Oaks STEAM program and absolutely love it!
Kalah Minix, assistant teacher
Kalah was born and raised in the hills of Southeastern Kentucky. She’s helped farm the lands of Southern France, has bathed in the waterfalls of North Carolina, and now resides in the cozy city of Lexington. Throughout her life's journey, Kalah has always enjoyed caring for children. Starting in her teens as a babysitter, being a tutor and nanny in her 20s, and most recently by assisting our lead teachers at Red Oaks. She loves being in nature and aiding in the education and growth of children, as they find their way in life and form their relationship with Mother Earth.
Matthew Nichols, lead teacher
Matthew specializes in nature conservation and environmental science, holding a Bachelor of Science in Geosciences. His professional focus is guided by a lifelong passion for the outdoors, cultivated through his upbringing in central Kentucky and early involvement in 4-H and summer camps. This foundation sparked a strong commitment to environmental education and the preservation of natural environments for future generations. As a husband and father of two boys, Matthew enjoys creating lasting memories with his family through outdoor adventures and travel.
Emily Peters, lead teacher
Emily brings her lifelong love of music to Red Oaks as a teacher in the Humanities program. An accomplished musician skilled in harp, piano, and voice, Emily's involvement in school, church, and community choirs has been a cornerstone of her life since childhood. She attributes music as the primary driving force behind her academic success and an important tool for emotional processing. Holding a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a few credits shy of a music minor, Emily is passionate about Red Oaks’ mission and is excited to integrate the transformative power of music into the curriculum.
Cora Weer, assistant teacher
Cora started her journey with Red Oaks as a student in homeschool programming when she was 14. She has always had an interest in childhood education and started teaching Mighty Acorns with the inaugural class in 2018 and has since assisted in various other programs. She absolutely loves the space that Red Oaks creates to meet each child where they are and cultivate their interests and curiosities. Cora holds a degree in Animal Studies from Eastern Kentucky University, with minors in Biology and Women & Gender Studies.
Ella Weer, assistant teacher
Ella has been part of the Red Oaks community since she was 7 years old, around the same age as the students she now teaches. Growing up attending Red Oaks each week gave her firsthand experience in creating meaningful outdoor learning moments and inspired the teaching techniques she uses today. Her passion lies in working with children and helping them discover the magic of nature. One of her favorite parts of the day is singing songs with the Mighty Acorns. Ella believes that music is one of the most powerful teaching tools, and she loves making learning playful and engaging through singing and hands-on instrument play.
Sydney Wilk, assistant teacher
Sydney brings her experience in nutritional health coaching and nature-based education to Red Oaks. She has worked with children in various settings, facilitating nature-art activities and cooking projects Sydney lives by the principles of permaculture, integrating them into her daily life and educational philosophy. She believes that nature is the greatest teacher and feels passionately about creating spaces where both children and adults can deeply connect with the environment around them. She hopes for each child to discover their own joy, love, appreciation, and mutual respect for the earth and each other.