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It all began with an idea & desire to create a unique learning experience— & A strong belief that childhood is not just a preparation for adulthood, however an essential experience. Childhood is a valuable time in each person’s life & is full of joys & experiences of success as well as growth. No matter how you learn.

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Hello from our board

President
Sarah Sallade (MS, MEd) is new to the area, but a native to New Hampshire’s White Mountains. She is passionate about nature and all it brings to people, from resources to adventures, education to joy. She appreciates nature as the grounding force for herself, her family and her business. Sarah is the owner of Growing Home, a new family business in Littleton focused on parent coaching and education consulting. She has a background in Natural Resources and Education, and has found her purpose in helping families to use a whole-child approach to education that includes nature and place based learning, Montessori principles and positive discipline techniques. Her husband Mike has a background in experiential and outdoor education, so together with their children, Fenton and Lena, they all share their passion in outdoor pursuits with family and friends old and new. Keep an eye out for them on the biking on the single track, hiking and climbing local mountains, paddling nearby lakes, and skiing backcountry glades.
Little known fact: Sarah, partnered with an old friend, won the North American Wife Carrying Championships in 2008 at Sunday River, ME and then traveled to Finland for the World Championships.
Vice President
Amanda grew up in western Massachusetts where she found a passion for teaching environmental and experiential education during her undergraduate years. Following college, Amanda pursued many outdoor education teaching opportunities from the sandy dunes of Cape Cod to the tidal pools of the Puget Sound. She received her MS in Natural Resources from the University of Idaho and an Environmental Education certificate from the McCall Outdoor Science School. She is now the Associate Director of Programs at White Mountain Science, Inc. (WMSI) in Littleton. Outside of WMSI, Amanda enjoys all forms of photosynthesizing in the sunshine including hiking, XC skiing, rock climbing, and snowboarding. She’s also been known to love reading, spending time with cats, sending postcards, and performing in community theatre.
Little known fact: Amanda once played in a competitive roller hockey league.
Treasurer
Christine Kelly grew up in New York's Hudson Valley. After receiving a dual BS degree in Political Science and Anthropology from the University of Vermont, she lived in Boston and San Francisco. She met her partner, Bruce Etter, while hiking the Pacific Crest Trail and they now live in Bethlehem, NH with their two dogs. Christine is the Executive Director of The Colonial Theatre in Bethlehem.
Little known fact: Christine holds a first degree black belt in Taekwondo.
Secretary
Lily grew up in the White Mountains of NH where she developed a love for all things outdoors, eventually leading to a degree in Environmental Studies and Education from St. Lawrence University. She then spent her senior year of college telling people that she would be interested in becoming a teacher, but only if it was at a school "like this little school in Bethlehem called Woodland". Eventually, that script was shared with the right person, and she learned of a teacher position opening. Lily taught at Woodland from 2013-2017 where she was able to experience the power of nature and project-based learning for kiddos. After 4 wonderful years teaching, Lily and her husband Goose chased the snow to Bend, OR and she has since become a school-based and part time acute care Occupational Therapist.
Little known fact: When she is not adventuring with Aussie pup "Winston," Lily loves to throw pottery.
Chris Strahler
Chris grew up in Southeast Michigan before discovering that he loved the mountains and always wanted to live in or near them. He is currently a Woodland parent and loves exploring the outdoors with his partner, Emily, and two children, Daniel and Julian. Chris has been an educator for his entire career and is currently teaching math and physics at the White Mountain School. He has also had amazing experiences leading trips and exploring nature with his students in Puerto Rico, the Swiss and Italian Alps, and now in the White Mountains. In Chris' free time he enjoys woodworking, especially creating mathematically inspired wooden earrings. He loves to hike, ski, bike, climb, play ultimate, dance, and curl (with the broom and heavy stones).
Little Known Fact: Chris competed in both ultimate frisbee and ballroom dancing during college.
Originally from the southern part of the state, I relocated to the north country after physical therapy school. I continue to work at a local hospital where I enjoy helping patients in both the in and outpatient settings. I met my wife Michelle in physical therapy school and we now live in Lyman, NH where we enjoy tending to our home orchard and canoeing on our local pond with our two children, Jade and Jasper. We found Woodland Community School two years ago and have a profound appreciation for happy and inspired children. We have joined the school board and committees to help give back, be a part of our children's world and community, and help make the Woodland experience amazing for all.
Little know fact. My favorite tool is the pickaxe.
Jessalynn Courtney-Cotter, originally from Minnesota, has always been immersed in the world of creativity. She earned her BA in Studio Arts and Design, where her passion for crafting functional art took root. Whether working with clay, fabric, wire, or wood, Jessalynn enjoys transforming natural materials into art that’s as practical as it is beautiful.
After starting a family in California, Jessalynn, her husband Ryan, and their daughter Aurnia decided to move to New Hampshire to be closer to family. It was here, in the heart of the White Mountains, that they stumbled upon the transformative and nurturing Woodland Community School and the beyond organic Measowstone farm, all at the same place!
Currently, Jessalynn channels her love for creativity at a New Hampshire-based organic body care company Badger Balm as a production designer. The company’s mission aligns with her values of sustainability, health, and creativity.
A little-known fact about Jessalynn is that all her handmade jewelry is crafted from crystals she finds during family mining adventures—a perfect fusion of art, nature, and family.
Board Liaison/WCS Director
Jenny Johnson grew up on the seacoast exploring intricate shorelines by boat, and now makes new discoveries on her feet in the White Mountains as often as she can. She lives in Bethlehem with her farmer husband, Sam, and three children, Thatcher, Sylvie, and Adler. Jenny was a founding teacher at Woodland and is continually amazed by Woodland students' motivation, creativity, compassion, and depth at which they explore. Jenny is currently the school’s Director.
Little Known Fact: Back in the day, Jenny was a competitive, synchronized figure skater!