Assistant Director, Agile Learning Facilitator and one of Wildwood’s founders and vision holders, Nicole has worked with young people of all ages (preschool- adult) in a variety of educational settings for the past 25 years. She spent her 20’s self-directing her learning through travel and deepening her passion for expeditionary/adventure learning. As a climbing guide and instructor with the Outward Bound School in Oregon and North Carolina, she led youth on expeditions into wild spaces where she saw how elements like play, choice and trust can be powerful catalysts for intrinsic learning.

Nicole earned a BA in Psychology, then Masters (MA) and Specialist degrees in School Psychology from Appalachian State University. She worked in the school-system as a School Psychologist, using her training in mental health, learning and behavior to advocate for children in the schools. Over time, the challenges of traditional schooling became more and more apparent to her … especially for children who don’t do well within the narrow confines of grade-level, curriculum based learning. She continued to deepen her understanding of how children learn and became acquainted with the philosophy of self-directed education. Inspired and fueled by research on self-directed learning, she left the school system with her 2 children and helped start Wildwood ALC.

Nicole is a life-long learner and passionate advocate for the rights of young people. She firmly believes that beautiful things happen when people (and children are people) feel trusted, connected and supported by others in their lives. She works to support new facilitators, parents and other adults in interacting with young people from a place of trust, equity, respect and authentic connection. Nicole enjoys challenging preconceived ideas, playing games, reading, tinkering, river floating, rock climbing and snowboarding. In addition, she is the mother of two young people (now teenagers) who have grown up free and trusted to pursue their own paths.