Director/Co-Founder | Althea Dunn
Althea has been adventuring in Pisgah for years, starting during her time at Brevard College. After working in outdoor education and recreation, teaching youth in nature for numerous programs in Transylvania county, she began working with young children with her mentor and sister. She aims to continue to build community and provide an outdoor-based education program to a variety of families.
Contact: altheadunn@pisgahcollective.com
Lead Teacher/Co-Founder | Julia Dunn
Julia Dunn is a certified early childhood (2 ½-6 years) Montessori teacher. She has worked in private and public schools and spent years as curriculum director for a non-profit, sliding-scale preschool. She is thrilled to be in Brevard working with amazing children and her sister!
Assistant Teacher | MK Hendrix
Mary Kathleen, known by her friends and family as MK, has passionately cared for and learned from children of all ages for 20+ years. MK earned her degree in early childhood education from Clemson University. She has most recently worked for an outdoor learning program, Earthshine, designed for middle school students. MK is excited to teach and engage with younger children where she will continue to explore and learn from nature and each student!
Assistant Teacher | Emma Bowers
Emma Bowers was born and raised in the mountains of Western North Carolina. After a stint working abroad, she moved back with renewed vigor for her native Blue Ridge Mountains. She is overjoyed to be working at Pisgah Collective, sharing nature and education with the amazing teachers and energetic kiddos. Out of work, Emma loves to experiment with fiber arts and explore the vast forests.
Assistant Teacher | Tristan Chappell
Tristan was born and raised in the mountains of WNC and spent much of her childhood exploring Pisgah Forest, and the surrounding areas. She has always had a draw to the outdoors, and endless wonders that this area has to offer. She attended school for blacksmithing and metal fabrication at Penland School of Craft. Inspired by her baby boy, she recently returned to school to pursue a degree in childhood development and art education. Tristan loves the unique style of learning that Pisgah Collective has to offer, and is excited delve into the Montessori methods.
Assistant Teacher | Sarah Karikas
Sarah has lived her life in Florida until recently moving to the mountains of North Carolina. After working a short time at an outdoor therapy program, has turned to exploring more outdoor environment work. She is so excited to be at Pisgah Collective to share this love of nature with children and amazing co-workers. When not working she is hiking the trails and baking homemade goodies.
Assistant Teacher | Vanessa Wright
Vanessa grew up in Southern California and moved to WNC in 2021. She has her bachelors degree in Agriculture Science with teaching credentials in agriculture and biology, and for many years taught in traditional schools. While her two daughters were young she was a hike host, branch ambassador, and national volunteer for Hike it Baby for seven years. In her spare time you can find her homesteading, hiking, camping, and paddle boarding with her family.
Assistant Teacher | Maxine Hynes
Maxine has spent much of her life in nature. Growing up in Maine, hiking Acadia National Park, exploring the never ending coastline, and camping were constants in her childhood. Living in California, (working as a massage therapist and nanny), North Carolina, Alaska, Maine again, and then finally back to North Carolina has allowed her to gain more experience and hike all over the country and Canada. Her love for the outdoors and working with children has followed her where ever she goes. While working with families there was a focus on developing a Waldorf and Montessori styled home environments. She enjoys helping children grow into the big people that they want to become.
Assistant Teacher | Alex Perri
Alex is a Brevard College graduate and has enjoyed being a part of this community since 2013. She has a background in journalism and communications and first joined the Pisgah Collective team in 2017 as an assistant teacher. She recently returned to teaching part-time once again and thoroughly enjoys spending time outside both teaching and learning from so many awesome kids. In addition to working at Pisgah Collective, she is also the co-owner of WorkAbout Coworking and is a freelance copywriter. When not at school she enjoys playing all kinds of sports, spending time in the woods, and planning her next big adventure.
Assistant Teacher | Jennifer Baynes
Jennifer grew up in Charlotte, NC and moved to Hendersonville, NC in 2020. She has her Bachelor's degree in Science Education from East Carolina University. After college, she worked at a hands on science education museum in Charlotte, NC called Discovery Place as the birthday party coordinator and traveling science teacher. As a traveling teacher, she taught all ages, all walks of life, in many different locations. From teaching a small PreK afterschool one day to presenting a large stage show for 500+ people the next, she found the Montessori style of education the most engaging for all ages and backgrounds. She has an 8 year old girl and twin 6 year old boys who keep life interesting and fun. When not at Pisgah Collective enjoying nature and teaching our students, you can find her in her garden, caring for her chickens during the day and under a telescope at night.
Assistant Teacher | Erin Heyrman
Erin was born in Greenville, NC and throughout her years she has tested out four different states. For college she moved back to Wilmington for college at UNCW and most recently to these beautiful mountains! She has her bachelors in Environmental Science and is a certified yoga instructor. As life happens she discovered her love for learning and teaching through her son and has shifted toward early education. She spends most of her free time gardening, hiking, practicing yoga, and most anything outdoors. She is so excited to grow with this program, and looks forward to all of the joys and challenges of this exciting way of learning.
