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Our Team

Tell me and I’ll forget. Teach me and I’ll remember.
Involve me and I’ll learn.

- Benjamin Franklin

 

Wild Roots is based on high-quality practices of both early childhood education and environmental education, requiring our teaching staff to have skills and experience in both early childhood education and environmental education. We prioritize social emotional learning, creativity, curiosity, and connection to nature. 

Meet Our Wild Roots Team

AnnaKate Hein, Environmental Education Programs Supervisor

  • Born and Raised: Athens, Georgia  
  • Education: Vermont Law & Graduate School: Masters of Environmental Law & Policy 
    University of Georgia: Political Science, Music Education, and minor in Environmental Ethics
  • Where she can be found outside the Backcountry: Rafting, exploring, and camping in remote river canyons with her husband and son 
  • She did what?!: Studied marine ecology and human environmental impacts as a study abroad program in Antarctica

Kathryn Worden, Teacher

  • Born and Raised: Hinsdale, Illinois
  • Education: Towson University: Masters in Special Education
    University of Maryland, Elementary Education
  • Where she can be found outside the Backcountry: Walking trails with her two coonhounds and two kids, or hiking near a creek. 
  • She did what?!: Lived in the Australian Outback for 4 years! 

Madeleine Friedenbach, Teacher

  • Born and Raised: Santa Cruz, California
  • Education: Colorado State University: Human Dimensions of Natural Resources 
    Where she can be found outside the Backcountry: Skiing, hiking, or horseback riding
    She did what?!: Climbed the highest active volcano in the world

Christy Farrell, Teacher

  • Born and Raised: Brooksville, Florida
  • Education: Saint Petersburg College: Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education
    Where she can be found outside the Backcountry: Hiking and exploring with her beloved rescued German Shepherd
    She did what?!: Has experience handling various venomous reptiles native to the United States

Katrina DeBacco, Teacher for Summer Camps

  • Born and Raised: Visalia, California
  • Education: University of California at Santa Cruz: Bachelor of Arts in Law and Bachelor of Arts in Politics
    Where she can be found outside the Backcountry: Crafting, hiking, playing and watching sports, and camping in the middle of nowhere with her family. And, oh yes – running a real estate company with her husband.
    She did what?!: Spent a summer living in an RV and traveling the United States…home is anywhere your heart is!

Dipti Jakatdar, Substitute Teacher 

  • Born and Raised: Maharashtra, India
  • Education: IHMCT with Applied Nutrition, Early Childhood Education
  • Where she can be found outside the Backcountry: Hiking, gardening, meditating, giving Reiki sessions and doing energy work
  • She did what?!: Is a 5 Star Hotel trained chef and has worked at a 5 star hotel in India where tons of celebrities went who she had the chance to meet! 

Kat Owens, Substitute Teacher 

  • Born and Raised: Londonderry, New Hampshire
  • Education: MA Early Childhood Education, Arizona State University & BFA Fine Arts, SVA in NYC 
  • Where she can be found outside the Backcountry: Finding all of the Hot springs in Colorado!
  • She did what?!: Taught in France & Japan