Our Team
Christie McKelvie
Co-founder & Director
Christie likes to say education is in her blood—and it’s true. Raised in central Pennsylvania by two elementary teachers, she grew up surrounded by a love of learning and a belief in every child’s potential. She earned her B.S. in Elementary and Kindergarten Education from Penn State, returned home to teach 3rd grade, and quickly became known for her curiosity, creativity, and commitment to students. While teaching 3rd and 4th grade, she completed an M.Ed. in Science Education from Lebanon Valley College and infused her classroom with hands-on, nature-based learning, community partnerships, and outdoor experiences.
After stepping away from the classroom to raise her four children, Christie learned from them the power of individualized learning and unstructured time in nature. Inspired, she began studying nature-based education and its benefits for children’s social, emotional, and cognitive growth. That journey shaped her mission: to cultivate strong problem-solvers, compassionate community members, and confident learners—children who are rooted in nature and free to learn.
Sally Schach
Lead Teacher : Nature Preschool
Sally has enjoyed the wide-eyed wonder of the pre-kindergarten set since she helped in a PreK classroom as a high school student. She received her B.S. in Elementary Education from Penn State University and quickly chose a classroom without walls after graduation. Following her love of all things aquatic, she spent most of her education career as an educator for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, teaching students and adults about the importance of rivers, streams, estuaries, and the lands that surround them. Along the way she received her masters in Environmental Studies from Antioch University New England. She recognized the important role outdoor play and exploration had on the physical, emotional, and social development of her own children. She was hooked on exploring and looking at the natural world through that wide-eyed lens she had first experienced in high school. She began leading groups of toddlers into the woods at the Clarence Schock Memorial Park at Governor Dick. She is now looking forward to learning, and growing, with the students and teachers at the Rooted and Free Nature School. When not playing in boats on rivers and streams you can find her adventuring with her family, gardening, learning (and forgetting) the names of all the forest flowers.
Elizabeth Holzman
Forest Friday(K-2nd)Leader
Nature Preschool Teacher
Lead Teacher: K-2nd grade
Elizabeth grew up with a love for animals and nature, and a desire to travel and explore the world. Growing up with a mom who worked as a zookeeper, she loved learning about how so many things in the world are connected to one another, and the numerous ways that we can support both our planet and all the creatures within it. This led to a deeper love for the outdoors and developed into a desire to travel and see all the natural beauty that the earth holds. As she grew, she also gained a love for working with children through assisting with summer camps, babysitting, and interacting with them in different settings such as when she would shadow teachers and assist in classrooms. This ultimately led to a degree in Elementary Education from Penn State University, with her focus being on Pre-K through 4th grade. After graduation, Elizabeth has continued to pursue both her love of the outdoors and working with children whenever possible, and she loves getting to see children develop a love for learning and a passion for the outdoors.
Jessie Boddy
Nature Preschool Teacher
Forest Friday(3rd-5th)Leader Nature Journaling Leader
Jessie has enjoyed homeschooling her 3 daughters through early childhood into their middle school years. One of their favorite elementary past-times has been exploring nature with friends, and making nature-sourced creations in their small city yard, a pretty wild place. Growing up, Jessie enjoyed birdwatching with her parents, and this is an interest she has shared with her family and friends. In high school, she selected electives including ecology, advanced bio, and participated in the Envirothon. Jessie chose a different path for her bachelor’s degree, but found herself walking through the woods and finding quiet places to study in the natural environment surrounding her college in Clarks Summit, PA. When she is not overseeing her children’s studies, she can be found in her garden, or in a cozy corner of her home reading a good book.
Ruth Weisman
Nature Preschool Teacher
K-2 Nature Enrichment Teacher
Nature Journaling Leader
A lifelong dabbler in nearly every art medium, Ruth loves to discover new
materials and ways to use them to create and help kids create and express
themselves. She has a passion for fiber arts, learning embroidery and sewing
from her mother and grandmother, leading to her starting her own handmade clothing and textiles
small business. Ruth has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Utah where she studied performance and scenic design. 2016 brought her family to
PA, after leaving the desert behind she was excited to explore a new, very green,
environment. After the birth of her child she found connection in outdoor family &
hiking communities which led her family to discover Rooted & Free. Ruth
continues to lead the art program at Forest Acres Camp in Maine, where she
has been for 12 summers. Ruth is excited to join the team at Rooted & Free and assist students as they find connection
to the world around them through creative exploration and expression.
Sarah Fritz
Explore Together Leader
Whether it is camping, hiking or exploring - the outdoors have always been a special part of Sarah's life. After her daughter was born, she started to think about the importance of the outdoors in education and looked into nature preschools. In 2021, Sarah moved to a house in the woods in Cornwall with her husband and daughter. After moving to the region, she found Rooted & Free and attended all of the sessions of Explore Together!
Sarah is a certified yoga teacher and began teaching a class for kids and their caregivers in 2022. Sarah has a Master of Arts from American University in Peace and Conflict Resolution, which will certainly be put to use in working with toddlers and preschoolers!
Kelli Wanner
Explore Together Leader
Kelli grew up in this area but has lived and taught in South Carolina as well as in the Dominican Republic with her husband. Whether it's the Blue Ridge mountains of South Carolina or the tropical beaches of Las Terrenas, Kelli has remained in awe of the natural world around her. It has become her passion to share this with her children and students. She has two young children, one of whom has been part of Rooted and Free since it’s very first class. Kelli and her family love traveling and exploring the world and their own backyard. She spent her younger days camping with her family and continues seeking out new favorite camping spots with her own children. As an educator Kelli deeply believes in the importance of learning opportunities in early childhood especially those that are spent outside. Kelli has a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from Duquesne University as well as a Masters degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). Kelli loves getting lost in a great book as well as exploring new state parks or nature centers as she travels with her family. She currently has a goal to visit all (124) Pennsylvania state parks with her husband and kids!
Lindsey Stewart
Explore Together Leader
Forest Friday(3rd-5th)Leader
Give Lindsey a trail, a group of curious kids, and a pocket full of art ideas, and she’ll turn an ordinary day outside into something unforgettable.
Lindsey is a former art teacher and special educator (M. Ed.) and she’s always believed in educating the whole child. She’s passionate about creating learning experiences that spark curiosity, honor individual interests, and unfold naturally through discovery and outdoor play.
Her love for nature truly bloomed when she watched her own kids thrive outside—muddy hands, big smiles, and freedom to play. Now, she brings that same joy to her students, weaving together hands-on exploration with process-based art that invites both kids and their grown-ups to connect with the world around them.
When she’s not guiding young explorers, you can find Lindsey adventuring locally with her kids, digging into her garden, tackling DIY projects with her husband, reading, or making something creative just for fun. She loves learning right alongside children and believes every hike (no matter the season!) offers new discoveries worth celebrating.
With Lindsey, every day outdoors becomes an adventure—full of wonder, creativity, and the magic of nature.
Lindsey Frey
Forest Friday(K-2nd)Leader
Always full of energy, Lindsey jumps full force into areas of life where she finds passion. These motivations have led her to experiences working with children, individuals with special needs, joining environmental volunteer organizations, and pursuing hobbies surrounding music, nature, and art.
Creativity and connecting with the outdoors have been essential to Lindsey's happiness. She always says that "fresh air = fresh spirit!" With those elements in her life, she has been able to focus on obtaining her Master's Degree in Education, with extra certifications in English as a Second Language, Early Childhood Pedagogy, and School Leadership. She also coordinates an Adopt A Highway road to help keep a section of the community clean.
Lindsey notices how children thrive when given more choice and freedom to explore, so facilitating experiences in nature at Rooted & Free is a dream come true. She is excited to see children learn and grow at their own rates, and following the beat of their own drum (especially since Lindsey is a drummer!)
She cherishes the time she spent in nature as a child, going on hikes, building forts in the backyard bushes, and playing outside in any weather. Her love for the outdoors never ended as now she goes camping, paddleboarding, hiking, and snowboarding as an adult. There is so much to explore and be thankful for with this beautiful Earth. Lindsey is excited to help children harness that same passion for the nature, and be part of one of the footprints of their journey!
Bethany Garber
Forest Friday(6th-8th)Leader
Bethany has grown up with a love and respect for nature after being raised around multiple farms. Originally from Lancaster County, she attended Lebanon Valley College to earn degrees in elementary and special education. She liked the area and her church so much that she decided to stay. After teaching at Palmyra Area School District for ten years as a special education teacher, she chose to stay home to raise her children. During her time at Palmyra, she taught the Outdoor Education program in various classes, and enjoyed it so much, she thought Rooted & Free would be a perfect way to continue teaching students about nature. When she’s not snuggled on the couch reading books to her three girls, she is outside in the garden or with her chickens. She enjoys the beach and mountains alike and is always ready to go on a weekend adventure. It is her and her husband Matt’s wish to visit all of the Pennsylvania State Parks, and hopefully one day, all of the National Parks as well!! Bethany is excited to teach middle schoolers here at Rooted & Free, and looks forward to a fun year ahead!
Nate McKelvie Student Intern
Nate brings enthusiasm, creativity, and a genuine love for nature to our school community. This year, he is supporting both preschool and Forest Friday classes, as well as taking on trail maintenance and designing a new nature play space for our youngest learners in Explore Together. Known for his energy, compassion, and fun spirit, Nate is a hit among students and staff alike.
Beyond nature school, Nate enjoys running, hiking, exploring the outdoors, playing baseball, and cheering on Penn State and the New York Yankees. After high school, he plans to attend college with a focus on ministry. He is also considering one day becoming an Air Force Chaplain.
Nate McKelvie
Co-Founder
Nate has spent more than 20 years bringing the wonders of the outdoors to learners of all ages. A PA-certified teacher with a B.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Science and an M.Ed. in Environmental Education, he currently channels his passion into teaching middle school science—where his enthusiasm for the natural world is as contagious as it is inspiring.
A licensed bird bander and active participant in regional raptor conservation, Nate is never far from the call of the wild. He’s an avid birder who embraces every season for the unique adventures it offers—whether hunting, fishing, or simply wandering through the woods with binoculars in hand.
At the heart of everything Nate does is a single driving passion: connecting people with the enticing, beautiful, and unifying power of nature. That passion also infuses his home life, where he finds pure joy in marriage, parenting, and watching his four incredible kids discover the world through their own outdoor explorations.
Alex Koegler
Former Student Intern
Alex was a senior at Hershey High School during the 2023/2024 school year. We had the honor of having her intern with Rooted & Free each morning. She is now a student at the University of Vermont studying Wildlife & Fisheries Biology. Though we miss having her join us each morning, we think of her often because her amazing artwork continues to be used everyday at Rooted & Free!
She has always grown up with a deep love for all things nature, especially animals. She discovered her passion for the outdoors during many family camping and hiking trips to Maine and visiting local zoos every summer. Aside from being outside, Alex also loves to paint, play the guitar, and hang with her two dogs! She has grown her love and interest in wildlife and the environment through many opportunities at Hershey’s ZooAmerica and her school’s environmental club. Alex has loved becoming a part of the Rooted & Free family and getting to know each of our students and staff members. She is very grateful to have received the opportunity to incorporate her love of nature, art, and working with kids through this internship and grow her knowledge and leadership experience in environmental education. Alex hopes to use the skills and opportunities she has gained at Rooted & Free to pursue further education and work as a field wildlife biologist and research population conservation. She loves seeing each Rooted & Free student grow in their fascination with the natural world and discover its immense importance and beauty just as she did as a kid.