sarah's story

Before EverWild, there was UNHCR, China, and 15 years of classrooms.

The story of the teacher behind the classroom — in her own words.

Sarah smiling in the forest wearing a flower crown

Classrooms before her own

Before Sarah ever had a classroom of her own, she was building them for other people. With a master's degree in linguistics, she worked for UNHCR in refugee camp schools. She found and trained teachers, translated curriculum into the children's native languages, and made sure every classroom had what it needed.

That work taught her the truth she still teaches from today: children are the same all across the globe. Before any learning can happen, a child needs to feel safe, connected and loved.

Listening to the pull

Later, in China, she spent her days translating documents and her spare hours teaching English. One job she dreaded walking out the door for. The other she could not wait to get to.

One job she dreaded walking out the door for. The other she could not wait to get to.

She listened to that, came home, earned a second master's degree in education, and became a teacher.

Building what was missing

Over the next 15 years in public school classrooms, Sarah was named Teacher of the Year multiple times in her school, district, and state.

When she could not find it, she built it.

She also saw what the youngest children were missing: room to move, time to play, and a school day built around what the research says they need. When her own son reached preschool age, she went looking for that school. When she could not find it, she built it.

sarah's philosophy

What Sarah believes about children.

Love comes first

Sarah believes every child is good, and she makes it her job to see the gifts in each one. Children who feel known and safe are children who are ready to learn.

Nature does the teaching

Sarah believes time outdoors calms children's bodies and minds and makes both stronger. If you want a child's handwriting to improve, she says, send them outside to play with sticks. Then the next time they hold a pencil, their grip will be better.

Children can repair what they break

When friends are in conflict, Sarah steps in close, names what she sees, and asks each child to tell her what happened. If they cannot find the words, she offers, “Do you want to borrow my words?” Then she asks the most important question: “How can you make it right?” The child is in charge of the repair.

Follow the science

Movement, play, and social and emotional learning sit alongside early academics because that is what the research shows young children need. The curriculum weaves phonics, early reading, writing and math into the day through songs, stories, games and hands-on projects, so children build real kindergarten readiness without sitting still to get it.

come see for yourself

Come see the classroom Sarah built.

The best way to know if EverWild is the right fit is to visit — meet Sarah, walk the garden, and watch a day unfold.

Schedule a Visit Back to EverWild