AN ADVENTURE ON EVERY BRANCH
OUR LEADERS
Ellen Grudzien
FOUNDER OF LET’S GROW OUTSIDE NH
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Ellen has been working in the field of early childhood education for over 30 years and has a bachelor's degree in Psychology from Springfield College.
Her experience as an early childhood educator and a preschool director led her to open The Amherst Preschool in 2009 and expanding to operating and managing the Joppa Farm and Forest School in 2021. Ellen believes children learn best in an environment where they are nurtured and respected and can experience long periods of time in nature. She has designed the programs at Lets Grow Outside NH with the philosophy that children can be trusted to explore their environment while leading their own learning. Ellen also believes a child-led play focused environment supports all areas of growth and development.
Through her love of yoga, Ellen became a certified Child Light Yoga instructor in 2015. Ellen lives in Amherst with her husband where they have raised two children. She has served on The Amherst School Board and is actively involved in the community.
Emily Grudzien
PONEMAH FOREST SCHOOL DIRECTOR
KINDERGARTEN LEAD GUIDE
Emily holds an undergraduate degree from St. Lawrence University and a Master of Education in Teaching and Learning from University of Southern Maine. With a solid foundation in education, Emily began her teaching career as a middle school teacher in Maine, where she honed her skills and developed a deep commitment to student growth and development.
Her dedication to education extends to beyond the classroom, for the past few summers Emily has led wilderness/canoe trips as a trip leader for Camp Chewonki. Her role at Chewonki has allowed her to share her love for the outsoors and teach valuable skills in a hands-on environment. Additionally, Emily is certified as a Wilderness First Responder (WFR), ensuring safety and well-being of her kids during their adventures.
Emily lives in Bedford with her fiancé, Tom. In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors, exploring new places and traveling.
​
The Amherst Preschool Guides
​
Jamie Pixley
DIRECTOR OF FULL DAY PROGRAM
OAK LEAD GUIDE
Jamie has been in the Early Childhood Education field for over 20 years. She holds a Lead Teacher Certification from Nashua Community College. Her time at The Amherst Preschool began as a parent when her two children attended TAP and then as a teacher. Being in the classroom is where Jamie is happiest as every day is a new adventure! She firmly believes in the child-led philosophy and is excited to bring her enthusiasm to the full-day program.
Jamie lives in Wilton with her husband and their two children. When she is not in the classroom, Jamie enjoys cooking, spending time with friends and family, and watching her son play soccer and basketball at the high school level.
Roann Burgess
OAK LEAD GUIDE
Roann has experience with a variety of classrooms, philosophies, and age groups. From infants and toddlers to a before and after school program for Kindergarteners to 6th grade. She truly believes that the child led environment is where a child learns best, and it is a joy to watch them learn and grow.
Roann holds an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education from Nashua Community College, and has been in the Early Childhood Education field for over 25 years.
Roann recently moved back to her hometown of Brookline, NH. She enjoys spending time reading, painting, making cards, cooking, hiking, fishing and kayaking.
Kayleigh Rancourt
MAPLE LEAD GUIDE
Kayleigh joined The Amherst Preschool first as a parent in 2022. She quickly came to love this magical school in the woods and joined the teaching team in 2023! She spent her first year as a teacher at JFFS before becoming a teacher in the preschool program at TAP.
Kayleigh holds an Associates degree in Early Childhood Education as well as a Director certification. She has 15 years of experience working with young children and enjoys creating experiences that enhance children’s learning and growth!
Kayleigh lives in Amherst with her three kids and three dogs. They spend their time outside of school doing various outdoor activities, cooking, getting together with friends and family and going to the lake.
Alyssa Nykanen
PINE LEAD GUIDE
ACORN CLUB
Alyssa has been working in the field of childcare for 15 plus years. She holds Bachelor of Science degrees in Elementary Education and American Studies from
Keene State College.
​
Alyssa has worked in many educational roles, including nature based preschools, as a kindergarten para and a site director. As a teacher, Alyssa loves to observe the growth and development in each child. From self-help skills to fine and gross motor skills,
social/emotional skills, it is amazing to see the growth in each child from season to season. Alyssa finds being a preschool teacher to be a creative and a rewarding experience.
​​
In her free time, Alyssa enjoys knitting, hiking, baking, reading, snow shoeing, and camping. She lives in Greenfield with her boyfriend and 13 year old red-bone coon hound.
Eva Stine
MAPLE LEAD GUIDE
Eva first joined TAP in the summer of 2023 while home from college and became a full-time teacher in 2025. She graduated from Flagler College with bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Health Science and was also a member of the NCAA women’s lacrosse team.
Eva is passionate about creating nurturing, engaging environments where children feel supported, confident, and excited to learn through play, exploration, and connection. Her background in psychology and child development helps guide her thoughtful and relationship-centered approach to teaching.
Outside of the classroom, Eva enjoys hiking, traveling, exploring new places, and spending time
outdoors with family and friends.
PINE ASSOCIATE GUIDE
ACORN CLUB
Hannah Blackwood
Hannah is so glad to have discovered the LGONH community and is excited to be starting her first year working at TAP. She grew up in Chicago and attended Calvin University in Michigan where she studied Elementary Education, Spanish, and International Development. She recently moved to Nashua to be closer to her sister and two nieces.
Hannah has over ten years of experience working as an educator with children and youth in a variety of settings such as schools, after school programs, outdoor/environmental education programs, a hands-on science education organization, rock climbing gyms, summer camps, and more. LGONH’s emphasis on whole child development, child-led play, and lots of time spent outside aligns perfectly with Hannah’s passions and values.
Outside of school, Hannah enjoys spending time with her sister and nieces, being outdoors (hiking, paddling, skiing, etc.), rock climbing, reading, and playing board/card games.
The Ponemah Forest School Guides
​
Emily Grudzien
​DIRECTOR
KINDERGARTEN LEAD GUIDE
Emily holds an undergraduate degree from St. Lawrence University and a Master of Education in Teaching and Learning from University of Southern Maine. With a solid foundation in education, Emily began her teaching career as a middle school teacher in Maine, where she honed her skills and developed a deep commitment to student growth and development.
Her dedication to education extends to beyond the classroom, for the past few summers Emily has led wilderness/canoe trips as a trip leader for Camp Chewonki. Her role at Chewonki has allowed her to share her love for the outsoors and teach valuable skills in a hands-on environment. Additionally, Emily is certified as a Wilderness First Responder (WFR), ensuring safety and well-being of her kids during their adventures.
Emily lives in Bedford with her fiancé, Tom. In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors, exploring new places and traveling.
Kyle Lapham
KINDERGARTEN ASSOCIATE GUIDE
Kyle is excited to be starting her first year with LGONH at Ponemah Forest School! She holds a bachelor’s degree from UNH and a Master of Education from Northeastern University. After working in higher education for over 15 years, Kyle is thrilled to be returning to where her heart lies: working with early learners.
After her two eldest children attended TAP, Kyle became interested in the magical, outdoor-based learning they experienced and knew it would be the perfect place to bring her experience and knowledge.
In her spare time, Kyle enjoys being outdoors, traveling, and spending time with her family. She lives in Amherst with her husband, three children, and dog.
Lindsy Faucher
PRESCHOOL LEAD GUIDE
Emily Gould
PRESCHOOL ASSOCIATE GUIDE
Lindsy joined TAP in 2020, however she has been teaching in a preschool setting since 2011. She has a BA from Quinnipiac University and received her lead teacher certification from MCC. She believes children learn best while exploring the world around them. She loves to watch them use their natural curiosity to experiment and problem solve. She is excited to join the Amherst Preschool team and be a part of the Let’s Grow Outside NH movement.
Lindsy lives in Amherst with her husband and two daughters. She enjoys cooking, going to the beach, and spending time with loved ones.
Emily is thrilled to be sharing this monumental year with children and families. After six years teaching kindergarten and first grade as a Title I Interventionist, Emily took a twelve-year hiatus from the classroom to stay home with her three children.
All three of Emily’s children attended The Amherst Preschool, and she has seen firsthand the confidence, strength, and resilience they gained from their experience there. She believes the TAP experience is truly special and is excited to see its spirit and philosophy carried into the Ponemah Forest School community.
Emily looks forward to getting to know each child, watching them flourish and grow, and being part of the magic that will undoubtedly unfold at PFS.
Joppa Farm and Forest School Guides
Lydia Benedikt von Schwanenfluegel
CO-GUIDES
Lydia grew up on the farm, and has a deep-rooted passion for outdoor and agricultural education. She graduated from Williams College with a degree in Environmental Studies. She has taught outdoor and farm-based education programs across New England. Lydia is the founding director of Nova Farm School.
Amanda Poza
CO-GUIDES
Amanda joined Let’s Grow Outside NH in 2024 and has spent her time at both the Joppa Farm and Forest School and The Amherst Preschool. She has a deep love and appreciation for nature and the farming community. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Conservation and a minor in Animal Behavior. She has enjoyed learning so much about what it means to be an early childhood educator and support the smallest of humans as they take their first steps into the social world. Her favorite thing about being a preschool teacher is helping each child discover how much they can do independently!
Amanda is pursuing a Masters in Occupational Therapy with the hopes of becoming a pediatric occupational therapist. She lives in Bedford with her family and her myriad of animals and prefers to spend her time on her hobby farm, riding horses, and being outdoors in quiet spaces.
SUPPORTING ROLES​
​
Kim Lafluer
LEAD OF SPECIAL PROGRAMS
FLOATER
Kaitlyn Ajaka
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Kim joined the staff as an Associate teacher in the fall of 2023 after being a permanent substitute from January through May. She is excited to continue to grow as a guide in the child led Pre-K classroom.
Kim has an associate's degree from Manchester Community College, has experience in the Montessori model and has been a nanny for several families.
She is a mom to two grown daughters and enjoys adventuring on the weekends.
Kaitlyn joined Let’s Grow Outside NH the fall of 2024 as the Operations Manager. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Vermont. Since then she has spent time working in Human Resources, has been a stay at home mother and stays active in the community through volunteer work. Her role at LGONH encompasses something new every day, including designing our marketing materials, managing tuition processes and updating our website.
Kaitlyn resides in Amherst with her husband, three children, and cat, Mango. In her free time she enjoys sewing, crafting, and traveling with her family.