Meet Our Team
Sydney
Sydney is the creative force behind Brooklyn Trails. For over a decade, she has shaped imaginative early education experiences across New York, bringing to each program the same qualities she cultivates in children: curiosity, kindness, and the courage to create.
Her path to teaching began at Pitzer College, where her passion for creating educational programming took shape. She led weekly food justice workshops for formerly incarcerated women and facilitated creative writing classes and GED prep in the prison system, experiences that cemented her belief that learning thrives in environments built on trust, creativity, compassion, and inclusion.
After moving to New York, Sydney built a rich teaching practice spanning parent-child and caregiver-child play classes at Union Square Play and in private homes across the city. Her work eventually drew her into the natural world, teaching Waldorf discovery classes with Brooklyn Forest in Central Park, and it was there, among the trees, that Brooklyn Trails took root in 2020.
Sydney's practice is guided by resourcefulness and a deep commitment to sustainability. She works primarily with recycled, natural, and low-waste materials, creating environments where imagination, collaboration, and problem-solving can flourish without the pressure of a right answer. For Sydney, education isn't about transferring knowledge. It's about igniting a lifelong love of learning, art-making, and play, and creating the conditions where children feel safe enough to take risks, ask hard questions, and stand up for what they believe.
At the center of Sydney's philosophy is a deep and steady trust in children's inner lives. She encourages them to see art as something always within reach, a quiet tool for processing big feelings, finding calm, or navigating something new and unfamiliar. She does not comment on children's finished work, a deliberate and powerful choice that shifts the focus from product to process and empowers each child to form their own relationship with what they've made. In Sydney's classroom, not everything needs to be a masterpiece. Some of the best things are made, treasured briefly, and released, and that is more than enough.
Brooklyn Trails is the program Sydney always wished existed for her younger self. When she's not teaching, you might find her restoring a dollhouse, throwing clay at the ceramics studio, or tucked into a cozy corner with a cup of tea.
Alyssa
Alyssa is a dedicated youth educator, urban gardener, and community herbalist with a passion for guiding others in deepening their connection with themselves, their community, and the natural world—even within the bustling confines of a big city. Holding a degree in Science, Technology, and Society from Vassar College, Alyssa's journey in education began during the last three years of college as a Garden Educator at Poughkeepsie Farm Project, closely engaging with school-age children.
Upon graduating, she brought her determination back to New York City, focusing on continued work with children outdoors. For two years, Alyssa facilitated parent-child classes with Brooklyn Forest, providing a platform for children to explore nature and their senses in the scenic landscapes of Central Park and Prospect Park. Simultaneously, she worked with children with developmental disabilities, enhancing their skills in emotion regulation, socialization, and communication. Alyssa's approach involves creating educational and engaging activities tailored to each child's interests, fostering a dynamic learning environment.
Every child brings new curiosities and questions, and Alyssa finds joy in the process of shaping educational experiences that incorporate the unique interests of each individual. Through this, she has discovered the profound joy of staying present with youth and viewing the world through their curious eyes.
Beyond her work with children, Alyssa dedicates her time to supporting a growing community of BBIPOC herbalists. She offers avenues for reconnecting with the earth through educational classes, song, art, and nature study, contributing to the development of a vibrant and connected community. Alyssa's multifaceted commitment to education, nature, and community reflects her vibrant spirit and unwavering dedication to fostering growth and connection in diverse settings.
Katherine
Katherine is not just a poet and educator; she is a lifelong custodian of the natural world. Growing up in rural Tennessee, her days were shaped by foraging, running around barefoot, and immersing herself in the solitude of the woods. With a decade of experience working with children, Katherine has crafted a teaching practice rooted in non-hierarchical learning principles. Her approach prioritizes the sharing of knowledge and power, environmental stewardship, reciprocity, and the affirmation of diverse forms of expression.
Her introduction to Forest School occurred while working as an assistant teacher in a Kindergarten classroom at the Co-op School, where she dedicated four years of her teaching career. Later, she co-created and led a mixed-age Forest School-inspired playgroup called Albemarle School. During her time at the Co-op School, Katherine developed a curriculum for summer camp classes in writing and bookmaking.
In addition to her work at the Co-op School, Katherine teaches poetry workshops and literature courses at Brooklyn College, where she earned her MFA in poetry in 2019. Beyond the classroom, you'll find Katherine tending to her stoop garden, expanding her bird species life list, or delving into the world of fiber arts. Her multifaceted pursuits reflect a deep connection to nature, a passion for education, and a commitment to fostering diverse forms of expression in the world.
