The Story of Us...
The Forest School got its roots nearly 10 years ago when the Williamsburg Farm Camp first launched. Designed to provide summer farm and forest experiences to children, it has become a Williamsburg tradition at Hideaway Farm. Campers return year after year and often carry on that tradition as counselors.
As stewards of our beautiful fields and forest, and the animals and wildlife who live here, our family has seen the vitality of nature to the joy and well-being of children, and adults alike. We have also seen how important the children are to the well-being of the farm with their infectious curiosity and eagerness to problem-solve. The connections we make to nature and to each other here stand out among the many lessons we learn.
Out of our summer farm camps grew year round educational programs, including one-and two-day weekly programs for homeschoolers, a full-time Montessori middle and high school, teacher training, and outreach programs that have served hundreds of children both on and off the farm. Caring for animals, exploring and creating nature-based hands-on projects, discovering friendships, learning handcrafting skills, taking time to celebrate curiosity and awe – these are just some of what happens on the farm!
Responding to the need for more progressive education – and certainly education that prioritizes the connection of children to nature – we launched the Williamsburg Forest School for elementary children. It came about quite . . . naturally!
Meet the Team
Jocelyn Swanson, M.Ed
Jocelyn specializes in Montessori inspired and nature-based education for children and adults. She has founded and directed several full-time Montessori middle and high schools, developed and run a Montessori training and certification program for secondary level teachers, and currently consults Montessori schools worldwide. Co-director of the Williamsburg Farm Camp and related programs on and off of her Williamsburg, Virginia farm, Jocelyn co-founded and co-directs the Williamsburg Forest School for elementary children.
Winn swanson
Winnie began her Montessori journey at age two, and continued it throughout elementary, middle, and high school. While earning her degree in business and certificates in early childhood education and special needs education, she co-directed the Williamsburg Farm Camp on her family’s farm in Williamsburg, Virginia. Her role in the camps evolved to her co-directing and teaching math and science at the Williamsburg Field School, a full-time school for middle and high school students. In addition to tutoring in math, Winnie now co-directs and teaches at the Williamsburg Forest School. She is an accomplished equestrian who, in addition to creating art and crafting educational programming, enjoys life in nature.
Alison Pariso
Alison is an art educator who develops nature-integrated art curriculum rooted in hands-on exploration. A graduate of the Massachusetts College of Art and Design with a BFA in Printmaking, she brings expertise in drawing, painting, printmaking, papermaking, sculpture, fiber arts, and photography. After six years teaching grades 6-12 in Virginia public schools, she transitioned in 2022 to community-based art education, where she has continued
nurturing young artists through experiential, outdoor learning. Her professional background also includes work as a gallery director and art handler in Boston and New York. Now living in Virginia with her husband, Frank, and their three children, Alison brings her passion for creativity, family, and the natural world to her work at Williamsburg Forest School.
Carolynn Johnson
Carolynn is a forest educator with an M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education, who believes some of the best classrooms have skies for ceilings. Recently retired after 22 years of combined active and reserve Air Force service, she pursues the early childhood philosophy that kids learn best when they are outside, engaged, and a little bit dirty. Her passion took root in Denmark, watching her own children thrive in a Forest School and sparked a new mission: bring that same outdoor learning to students along the way and eventually here in Williamsburg. In her free time, Carolynn is often outdoors with her husband, Scott, and their three children exploring all the best “ings”—traveling, hiking, biking, birding, camping, foraging, and mushroom-hunting.
Kelly
Kelly started following her passion for nature in high school, where she focused on equine science before getting a degree in veterinary technology. She worked in wildlife rehabilitation before joining the army and later going to school for and working as a medical coder. Her most recent post in the medical field was in health information management. Mother of 3, she is again full speed with her passion for nature - and kids in nature - at the Williamsburg Forest School. There she manages the equine program as well as helps make connections for children with domestic animals and the abundant wildlife on the farm. Kelly is also behind the scenes organizing the many materials and supplies inherent in running a program based on nature, art, and handcrafting.
Julie Hofman
Julie’s love of nature began at her own outdoor preschool and grew through a childhood spent exploring the Redwood forests, where she built forts, picked wild blackberries, and learned to notice beauty in the smallest details. After teaching kindergarten and fourth grade in public school, Julie found the forest school approach reflected the kind of learning she had experienced as a child—one rooted in curiosity, collaboration, meaningful play, and a lasting connection to nature. She is passionate about creating learning experiences that combine academic excellence with the joy, wonder, and discovery that nature provides. Julie is a licensed Virginia educator with bachelor's degrees in Elementary Education and Spanish and a master's degree in Human Relations. She hopes every child leaves Forest School with muddy boots, a curious mind, a strong academic foundation, and a lifelong love of nature.
Paulynna Sipos
Paulynna is a licensed Occupational Therapist (OTR/L) and Certified Children’s Yoga Instructor with extensive experience in pediatric practice. She is passionate about supporting children’s physical, emotional, and social development through play and meaningful experiences. On the farm, she will lead Movement & Mindfulness classes, as well as help provide any special accommodations needed for part- and full-time students. She believes that nature provides the ultimate classroom where children (and adults!) can learn, grow, and thrive.
Outside of her professional life, Paulynna is a mom of two who enjoys taking walks, adventuring with her family, and cooking healthy meals. She is excited to be able to combine her love for nature and occupational therapy at Forest School!
Rachel Hartin
Rachel serves as Williamsburg Forest School's Instructional Assistant on Tuesdays and Thursdays, supporting children in the classroom through hands-on learning, outdoor exploration, and creative discovery. Behind the scenes, she also serves as the school's Administrative Coordinator, overseeing website design, communications, marketing, and administrative support.
Rachel earned her bachelor's degree in Anthropology from Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee. She and her husband have three children, and their family has been part of the Williamsburg Forest School community from the beginning. Her son was the school's first full-time kindergartener, and this year her daughter is excited to join him. Rachel enjoys hiking, art, music, healthy cooking and nutrition, exercise, and helping children develop a lifelong love for nature and learning.
Duncan Hamra
Duncan is a happy husband and happy dad. Co-founder at a small software company (Memberstack), he is excited about early childhood education in essential life skills such as gratitude, compassion, kindness, and mindfulness. Duncan will develop and guide our Kindness Curriculum.
Sara McCourt
Sara McCourt is a fiber artist with over 20 years of experience who began her spinning journey in 2006. In 2019, she completed the Olds College Master Spinner program and has since served as a distance instructor for the college and taught at Fiber Week in Alberta, Canada.
Her primary artistic focus is working with raw wool, transforming fleeces into both finished knitwear and woven textiles. She currently teaches fiber arts locally within the
greater Tidewater area of Virginia and is a contributor to Ply magazine.
In addition to her professional fiber arts work, Sara brings extensive experience teaching and mentoring children. She homeschooled her three children, creating hands on, curiosity driven learning environments for over a decade. She also served as a 4H leader for eight years, guiding youth through creative projects, skill building activities, and community engagement.
Sara’s teaching style emphasizes exploration, confidence, and joy—helping young makers discover the magic of wool, color, texture, and traditional craft.
Katie Marrow
Katie has been singing since childhood and has participated in various choirs, musicals, and church music programs throughout her life. She is passionate about music and the meaningful impact it can have on our daily lives. She believes music provides children with a wonderful outlet for creativity, confidence, and self-expression. Katie attended a performing arts school college prep school for four years where she studied vocal performance, and later earned her bachelor’s degree in Ministerial Leadership with a concentration in Worship Ministry. She has served as the Worship Pastor at CrossWalk Church for the last 7 years.