Your Teachers
Brad, has enjoyed the mountains and worked in them since he was a teenager. He is an avid adventurer and have turned that into a career since I began working with the Boy Scouts in a high adventure camp near Yellowstone National Park at fifteen. I have worked in Wilderness Treatment facilities and am currently an Experiential Coordinator at a Boarding School. I obtained my Bachelor's in General Studies from Southern Utah University and my Certified Therapeutic Recreational Specialist Training and Certification in Recreational Therapy from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee. I have worked with children since I was a child, as my wife jokes. I’m a trained Wilderness First Responder and am Certified in CPR, First Aid and Epi-Pen-Autoinjector.
Amanda, loves sunshine at the beach and snow in the mountains. Having grown up in Southern California, sand and surf was always my favorite, until I moved here around ten years ago and experienced my first big snowfall. Adventures in the snow and mountains are still exciting a new. I have a bachelor’s degree in History and Anthropology from Southern Utah University and am working on completing my Bachelors in Pure Mathematics and a Masters. I have worked at many treatment centers for teenagers and many educational facilities with special needs children, being a tutor and mentor. I have worked with children most of my adult life. I am trained CPR and First-Aid. I am also a certified ocean Lifeguard and swim teacher. |
Hello!
We are Brad and Amanda Lundell. We are so excited to be continuing on with the amazing work Rachel has done with Cedar Saplings. We are parents to two toddlers who have been enrolled in Cedar Saplings since its onset. Rachel's vision has led us to desire an outdoor education for our children throughout their lives and we hope to be able to continue her goals here in Cedar City, with Cedar Saplings. We have completely embrace Rachel's dream of a school that embraces a wholesome education, and which sees students as individuals, who shouldn’t be standardized. Seeing the children as a whole and allowing them to envision themselves that way. Students who value themselves, love to learn, have social, and emotional skills in all environments, as well as be able to learn and understand the world and nature while experiencing new things they may not get to try otherwise. This along with their academic studies. We hope to do Rachel and her dream proud as we continue the preschool and try to expand into more age groups. Our children have learned and grown immensely under Rachel's kind and attentive teaching and we will be forever grateful. Get in Touch with The Lundells |
A kind, aware, and knowledgeable teaching assistant will also be present for each class over 6 students.
Teaching Assistants
Julie Griffin is a an enthusiastic advocate of outdoor experiential learning. She is an active grandparent of nine children ranging in age from 1 to 15 years old. She has a background in education and law. As a young mother, Julie served several years on the executive board of a homeschool association in Northern California. Julie enjoys camping, hiking, gardening, reading, and knitting.
Hello, I'm Melanie Henwood! I'm from Grantsville, Utah and have lived in Cedar City for about 2 years. I love being outside, baking, and playing video games. I'm currently a junior at Southern Utah University and majoring in Elementary Education. I have wanted to become a teacher from a young age. I love spending time with children and teaching them as they teach me. I have previously worked in a daycare, a preschool, and various elementary classrooms. I'm so excited to be working with this organization!
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Hi, I'm Carrie Austin and I'm so excited to help out with the nature preschool this year! I grew up in the area but moved after high school. We just came back after 20 years and I was excited to see that there's a nature preschool here. When we lived near Brigham City I started a nature exploring group with all different ages so this will be a fun experience to work more with younger children. When my own children are in nature I have noticed that they are more calm and attentive. I really feel that nature is healing for children, and having school happen in nature is just the best idea!
Former TeacherHello! My name is Rachel Cox. I love rainy days, trying new foods, and picking up rocks. I'm a mother, professional educator, and avid adventurer. I have a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Utah State University, and a Master of Education in Advanced Teaching from University of the People. With five years of teaching experience in public and charter schools and experience teaching outdoors, I have worked extensively with children of all ages. I'm trained in CPR and first aid. I am also a certified yoga teacher.
It's been my dream to lead a school that embraces a wholesome education, and which sees students as individuals that can't be standardized. In addition to academic studies, I want my students to value themselves, to love learning, and to have the social and emotional skills to thrive in any environment. The desire to spend more time with my own preschool-aged daughter was the push I needed to dive into this dream. Teaching and learning with Cedar Saplings has been a joy. |