Mission
Traditional school was not built for every child. It was built for compliance, stillness, and conformity. Curious and Kind Education was built for everyone else. We are a nature-based microschool where children learn by doing, lead their own learning, and develop into kind, capable humans who know how to think, collaborate, and care for the world. In three years we have built a thriving community of families who chose something different and never looked back.
Curious and Kind Education empowers young people to learn about themselves, others, and nature while developing their minds and bodies.
- We believe nature nurtures learning.
- We trust in a child’s ability to guide their own learning journey.
- We believe education’s purpose is to create a kinder, more just, and sustainable world.
We reimagined education! Our programs were inspired by the self directed learning and forest schooling concepts which keep the flames of learning alive for folks. At Curious and Kind, every person is valued, cherished, and encouraged to embrace the joy of getting a little muddy.
Justine Wilson, MEd & EdS
Founder & CEO of Curious and Kind Education
Forest School ALC Facilitator- Tuesdays and Thursdays
Some of Justine’s best and earliest memories came before the nightly dinner bell would call all the neighborhood kids home. You could find her and neighbor kids knee-deep in the muddy creek, as they worked together to build dams and bridges all the while falling in love with nature. Justine went on to become an educator having worked as an outdoor science educator, grade 1 and 5 teacher, literacy coach and Prk-5 principal in 4 countries over 17 years. Recently, she gave herself the gift of time to reflect and align the purpose which drives her as an educator. She has a passion for trusting children and empowering them through self directed learning. She finds joy in facilitating and supporting children’s curiosities and interests inspired from nature.
Certifications and Credentials
- Forest School Teacher Institute- Emergent Curriculum & Director Training
- Wilderness First Responder
- Master’s degree in Education focusing on Integrated Place-based Education- Antioch University
- Educational Leadership – Univ. of Northern Colorado
Sherry Summers
Forest School ALC Facilitator- Tuesdays and Thursdays
April Noss
Forest School ALC Facilitator- Mon, Wed, and Fri
Summer Camp Leader
April comes from an extensive background in environmental and childhood education. She is a Florida Master Naturalist graduate and has spent more than two decades educating children of all ages in various settings and subjects. She is passionate about doing her part to reduce the “nature deficit” facing children in our society. April is a yoga teacher and owns Sarasota Karate Club, where she is the primary instructor of traditional Japanese karate. In her spare time, she loves to spend as much time as possible in nature. She also enjoys traveling the world with her husband and three children, cooking healthy meals, singing, and playing her guitar and mandolin. She is excited to inspire every child at Curious and Kind Education with the same love of learning and nature that she has.
Quinn Bowden
Forest School ALC Facilitator- Wed and Fri
Assistant Nature Stay and Play Leader
Quinn is a Sarasota native who loves the natural world. She grew up, boots in the mud, raising goats with 4-H and riding horses all summer out in Myakka. She is passionate about embracing our interconnectivity with the earth and learning hands-on. Quinn followed her love for animals and got her degree in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation from UF and has worked for years doing academic research in the field. She now brings her knowledge of nature and her love for sharing that knowledge with her everyday. She collects insects, bones and feathers and uses them both as an educational tool and as an artistic medium, to share their beauty with the world.
Quinn is also enthusiastic about the importance of community and creating “third spaces” where people can find connections outside of their immediate circles. In her own life she went out and found her “third spaces” at her library crochet club, ukulele club and through volunteering at the local radio station. She believes that it’s important to meet new people and try new things, even if they are daunting, and to not be afraid to lean on those around you for support.
She is excited to be a part of the Curious & Kind family and bring her love for nature, art, music and intentional community to our programs.
Juliefer LeBron
Forest School ALC Facilitator- Mon, Tues, Wed and Thurs
Meet Julie some of her earliest and most meaningful experiences with children began at the age of 14, when she discovered a deep love for working alongside young people and learning from their unique perspectives. She went on to work in a daycare setting for six years, where her passion for supporting children’s, growth continued to flourish.
Julie earned her associate’s degree in Elementary Education and spent years observing both the beauty and the limitations of traditional schooling. Through those experiences, she became increasingly aware of how much outdoor exploration, movement, creativity, and child-led learning were missing from many educational environments.
As a homeschooling mother, she embraced a more connected and intentional approach to learning, one rooted in curiosity, play, nature, and trust in children’s abilities. She believes some of the most meaningful learning happens while building relationships, exploring outdoors, moving our bodies, asking questions, and simply being present with one another.
At Curious and Kind, Julie is excited to join a community that values connection, self-directed learning, and the joy of childhood. She loves being active, playing alongside children, and creating meaningful connections.
Jamie Tremps and Jack Berry
Curious and Kind Club leaders
Jamie Tremps & Jack Berry are two Southwest Florida natives who share a deep love of nature, creativity, and community. Jamie is a mother, professional singer/songwriter, artist, and beekeeper who holds a psychology degree from USF and brings years of experience in a local homeschool co-op. Jack is a musician, sustainability advocate, and longtime community educator who has been leading workshops at schools and museums and organizing family concerts with his band The Garbage-Men since 2010.
Together they bring warmth, wonder, and a whole lot of creative energy to Curious and Kind, where they lead our music and art clubs. Both believe children learn best when they feel trusted, heard, and genuinely excited to create.
Amy Korenman, MA
Launch Pad Teen program Facilitator- Mon and Wed
Amy has always loved being around kids. She worked for 8 years as an Outward Bound Instructor which lead her to get a Master’s degree in social work. Amy moved her family down to Florida with the hope of raising her children outdoors and to allow them to follow their own interests and passions. This led her to meet some amazing families with the same goals and she helped co-found Spark ALC in West Bradenton. Amy has become known around the Sarasota/Manatee counties as a huge supporter of self-directed learning and project-based learning programs. Amy is excited to lead the teen program at Curious and Kind and allow new teens to explore their wishes and passions in a unique way.
Chris Trammel, MA
Chief of Operations
Launch Pad for Teen Program Facilitator
Chris is a lifelong learner and educator with a passion for exploring our amazing world through a variety of perspectives, whether it be a cultural, environmental, scientific, personal, or some other way to see our world, he believes there is always something new and exciting to discover. Chris has worked as an outdoor science educator and a social studies teacher in a variety of public and private school settings. He is excited to help teens explore new perspectives and develop their own unique passions and understandings about the world.
Credentials
Masters Degree in Global History from American Public University
Florida Educator Certificate- Social Studies Grades 6 – 12
Dorothy Bean
Nature Stay and Play Leader & CK Substitute
Dorothy, affectionately nicknamed “Nature Girl” by her mom, has spent her whole life exploring the outdoors and seeking new experiences. As the oldest of six children, she built a strong foundation in caregiving early on, and growing up in the mountains of Utah gave her a deep love for nature that eventually led her to the sunshine and beaches of Florida. She brings a calm, easygoing presence to everything she does, often reminding those around her that “life is an adventure!” As a mother of three, Dorothy balances supporting her kids’ individual dreams with plenty of time for fun, play, and exploring the natural world alongside children at Curious and Kind. You might spot her with a pet rat on her shoulder or a cockatiel perched on her head.
Monika C. Carter
Camp Leader, House Mom, CK Club Leader and Sub
Monika is a proud Aquarius and a sixth-generation South Floridian deeply rooted in the vibrant culture and beautiful chaos of Miami. She thrives in sunshine, salty air, and spontaneous adventures. As the mother of two spirited boys, she’s constantly on the move—and often in the water—camping, hiking, paddle boarding, or surfing alongside their dad.
With 13 years of experience as a Girl Scout, Monika knows her way around a campsite and can craft a mean s’more. Her ideal day includes quirky day trips, treasure hunting through local thrift shops, snapping candid photos, dancing freely, and cooking meals that always feature plenty of garlic.
She brings a dynamic blend of nature, love, and joy to the Curious and Kind community, and she’s excited to help nurture connection and creativity through her presence and passions.
Mariah Battaglia
Social Media Manager
wonder of childhood every day.
Fresh air, open paths
Sticks not telling what to be
Acceptance knows love
~ Haiku by Joe Pounds ~
After an interview with Justine, Founder of Curious and Kind Education
