Meet Our Leaders

This dedicated group of educators, program administrators, and consultants bring their passion for
Outdoor Nature-Based (ONB) learning to WaNPA. Supporting the needs of outdoor schools across the PNW,
they are the heart & soul of this collaborative!

Nicole J Corbo, Director
​(she/they)

​Roots & Sky Nature-Based Learning 
​Nature-Based Educator & Consultant
​Nicole has spent more than three decades educating learners of all ages in nature. Through Roots & Sky Nature-Based Learning, she works with schools and programs across the country to ensure that nature-based learning becomes an integral part of all education experiences. Nicole is a Cedarsong Way Certified Trainer and  a Washington State-Approved STARS Trainer. In addition to mentoring, consulting, and educator training, Nicole can also be found leading her Nature Time! program for early learners and school age students, where she is joyfully referred to as Teacher Frog. Nicole founded Roots & Sky Nature-Based Learning because she believes it is essential that all  children, preschool through high school (and the grownups who guide them), have access to safe  meaningful learning in, about, and - most importantly - with nature. And in case it wasn't already obvious, being outside is her happiest place.

Rachel Franz
​(she/her)

Twig & Thread Consulting
​Founder
​Rachel is the founder of Twig & Thread Consulting, offering educator training and coaching in nature-based early education across the country. Rachel is also the Family & Education Manager at Fairplay, where she advocates for hands-on play in an increasingly digital world. As a former infant, toddler, and preschool educator and founding lead teacher and former Director of Education at Tiny Trees Preschool, Rachel deeply values childhood and sees outdoor early learning as a leverage point for building an equitable, anti-oppressive society. Rachel has a master's degree in Early Childhood Education, a B.A. in Environmental Studies, a certificate in Sustainable Business, and is a WA State-Approved STARS Trainer, and family coach. Rachel lives in Seattle, WA and really loves napping, jumping in lakes, and collaborative food-making.

Sibyl Maer-Fillo  
​(she/her)

Washington Outdoor School
​School Director & Teacher
Sibyl is the Washington Outdoor School Director & Teacher in both Roslyn and Ellensburg branches. Sibyl believes learning should be meaningful and integrated, the Earth and all its inhabitants and ecological systems should be respected, appreciated and cared for and finding ways to nurture and encourage the innate creativity in each person is of the utmost importance. She has a Masters degree with certification in Special Education and has been in Education for over 20 years working with Preschool through High School age students. Creating Washington Outdoor School fulfilled a dream.

Alyssa Venable
(she/her)

Scatter Creek Montessori 
School Director & Guide
Originally from Chicago, Alyssa fell for the breathtaking beauty of Washington state and in 2010 moved across the country to live near the forests and seas of the Pacific Northwest. She completed a bachelor’s at The Evergreen State College with a focus on alternative educational approaches including nature-based play and child-centered learning. For the past decade Alyssa has been an early childhood guide in Montessori classrooms, founding Scatter Creek Montessori farm school in 2021. Alyssa strives to uplift other educators to join her in moving evermore towards the abundance of awe-filled learning there is in nature. Her heart finds joy watching her goats play or cats nap while she enjoys a chocolate croissant.

Maddie Cole
(she/her)​

Fiddleheads Forest School
Head of School
Maddie has been the Head of Fiddleheads Forest School since 2021.  She grew up in the Midwest, but has called the Pacific Northwest home for the last seven years.  Through Portland State University, she earned a Master of Science degree in Education: Curriculum and Instruction: Early Childhood Inclusive Education with a focus in Constructivism.  Her career has included education roles in a children’s museum, a zoo, a farm-based preschool, and two other nature-based preschools.  Maddie is strongly committed to nurturing a connection between children and the natural world, as well as building communities around place-based educational programs.  In her spare time, she enjoys immersing herself in local history, relaxing outdoors, and pampering her pet rabbits.