Contact us to schedule a tour and learn more about what our Outdoor Learning School's K-5th Grades have to offer!
At The Learning Tree Academy's Outdoor Learning School, Kindergarten all the way through 5th Grades are created to provide a safe and nurturing environment for students to learn and grow. The Outdoor Learning School's classrooms provide the perfect mixture of academic challenges and small group learning that allows for each child to succeed. Curriculum and program structure is design to support the development of the whole child, empowering them to take charge of their own learning experiences in a way that supports critical thinking and problem solving skills. Students focus on a monthly theme in which they study one topic from a variety of vantage points- increasing their understanding of the subject matter and ensuring a well-rounded academic experience that is not repetitive. While we do have daily classroom instruction, we are constantly taking advantage of natural play spaces and outdoor learning opportunities as much as we possibly can.
Students will receive meals that include whole foods and locally grown produce to provide their bodies with the nutrients they need to learn and grow. Our programs also emphasize the importance of nutrition and health throughout the entire school day in various modes. The focus on Outdoor Learning provides educators with constant opportunities to passively and directly encourage healthy choices for our bodies and minds.
Children will start their day with a daily devotion time, which allows them to begin the day with an opportunity to develop their faith through activities such as worship, Bible studies, and skits. Character education is incorporated throughout the day in organic teaching moments. The goal of our program is holistic development which includes supporting social-emotional and spiritual growth. By being given a range of experiences in a loving, stable environment, children explore their own interests and capabilities and gain heightened confidence in themselves, while also promoting their social and emotional development and well-being.
Children will learn skills that help foster independence and prepare them to apply what they learn in the classroom to daily activities. The freedom to explore independently outdoors along with an increased autonomy allow children to learn from a variety of experiences with the arts, movement, and problem solving- all while developing a respect and love for nature and being outdoors. We also encourage mixed-age group activities in our daily schedules. This gives students the opportunity to gain valuable leadership skills as they work to encourage and teach younger students- allowing students to also form peer-mentor relationships and giving them the opportunity to model positive behaviors and attitudes for their peers.
Children participate in growing, harvesting, and preparing foods from the school gardens. This program allows them to learn through play, pursue their own likes and interests, develop a sense of responsibilty for themselves and others, and explore independently all while using real life applications of their academics. We love integrating our Farm to School program in various daily activities as a way to emphasize the impact that Outdoor Learning has on students and teachers. Students thrive on the added responsibilities as they grow alongside our Farm to School Program by learning to use small garden tools (shovels, rakes, wheelbarrows, etc) under direct supervision and even leading younger students in garden activities!
Assistant Director of K-5th Outdoor Learning School
Mrs.Jennifer has 25 years of service in the public education sector. She has taught first, second, third, and fourth grades. She has also taught self-contained emotional behavior disordered students in 3rd through 5th grade. Her years in the classroom were spent in Hart, Franklin, an
Assistant Director of K-5th Outdoor Learning School
Mrs.Jennifer has 25 years of service in the public education sector. She has taught first, second, third, and fourth grades. She has also taught self-contained emotional behavior disordered students in 3rd through 5th grade. Her years in the classroom were spent in Hart, Franklin, and Stephens County, along with serving as a Literacy Coach in Franklin County for the National Reading First Educational Movement. During this time she had the honor of teaching the Reading Academy for the Georgia Department of Education at the Classic Center in Athens. She then became an academic coach for all content areas in Franklin County. Along the way, she has served in administration as an Assistant Principal in both Franklin and Stephens County. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education, and a Specialist Degree in Teaching and Learning. She also holds K-12 Leadership Certification from the University of West Georgia.
She is excited to be joining the private education sector and looks forward to being able to use her skills to openly serve the Lord by serving our community and the children at The Learning Tree Academy. In her free time she enjoys spending as much time outside as possible swimming, walking her dog in the park, and exploring unique areas on day trips with her husband and four children.
Director of Outdoor Learning
Kyle Harris began working at The Learning Tree Academy in 2010 when he and his wife, Logan, returned to Toccoa. With a Bachelor's Degree in Religion from Presbyterian College, Kyle watched The Learning Tree Academy grow while serving as Head of Grounds and Maintenance and operating his construction and lands
Director of Outdoor Learning
Kyle Harris began working at The Learning Tree Academy in 2010 when he and his wife, Logan, returned to Toccoa. With a Bachelor's Degree in Religion from Presbyterian College, Kyle watched The Learning Tree Academy grow while serving as Head of Grounds and Maintenance and operating his construction and landscaping business, Northeast Georgia Helping Hands. He assumed the role of a supervisor in 2019, preceding his move to the role of Assistant Director of Outdoor Learning School and Afterschool Programs in 2022. Kyle has a passion for supporting wellness and nutrition and serves as the leader of the Farm to School Program. His background in gardening/farming, sports, and certification as a CrossFit Instructor provide him with a wide range of knowledge which he uses to develop programming that supports holitistic development of the child. Kyle enjoys coaching and spending time with his wife and three children exploring the outdoors.
Kindergarten Teacher
Mrs.Ashton lives in Carnesville, GA with her husband and two daughters. She attended the University of Georgia and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. She has taught 3rd and 5th grades in the public school system, and is happy to be a part of The Learning Tree Academy team to teach Kinderga
Kindergarten Teacher
Mrs.Ashton lives in Carnesville, GA with her husband and two daughters. She attended the University of Georgia and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. She has taught 3rd and 5th grades in the public school system, and is happy to be a part of The Learning Tree Academy team to teach Kindergarten. Ashton loves to garden and go on hikes looking for unique plants and mushrooms. She also loves to craft and make up silly songs. She is very excited to join the LTA team and get her hands in the garden with her class!
Kindergarten Teacher
Mrs. "Tina" has been working in early childhood education for 25 years, and she obtained her degree in Early Childhood Education from Lanier Technical College. She has been an important part of The Learning Tree Academy's team for almost four years and has enjoyed her journey from the Younger Three's Class to the Pre-
Kindergarten Teacher
Mrs. "Tina" has been working in early childhood education for 25 years, and she obtained her degree in Early Childhood Education from Lanier Technical College. She has been an important part of The Learning Tree Academy's team for almost four years and has enjoyed her journey from the Younger Three's Class to the Pre-K Class and now to the Kindergarten Class. Mrs. Tina has two adult children, Jessica (30) and Jeremy (27), as well as two wonderfully rambunctious grandsons, and she has a "kind and loving" husband. Her favorite part of the Outdoor Learning School is having fun while learning and building meaningful relationships.
First Grade Teacher
Mrs. Kelly has been an elementary school teacher for 5 years. She graduated from Reinhardt University in Northwest Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education in 2018. She has taught a variety of grades including 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th. She has known from a very young age that she wanted to work with yo
First Grade Teacher
Mrs. Kelly has been an elementary school teacher for 5 years. She graduated from Reinhardt University in Northwest Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education in 2018. She has taught a variety of grades including 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th. She has known from a very young age that she wanted to work with young children. She believes she has been called to serve young children and their families. She feels honored to partner alongside families to help each child learn and grow into the unique person they were created to be.
She is married to Gordon Thigpen, who teaches and coaches here in Stephens County. In her spare time, Mrs. Kelly loves to spend time with her family, spend time outdoors, cheer on the Georgia Bulldogs, and create crafts with her Cricut. She is so excited to be joining the Learning Tree Family and looks forward to serving this community!
Second Grade Teacher
Mrs.Lydia has been a part of The Learning Tree Academy's family for a while now, and she is diving into her first year being a part of our team as well! Mrs.Lydia graduated from Brenau University with a bachelor's in Science and an emphasis in Early Childhood Education. She loves spending time outdoors with her family,
Second Grade Teacher
Mrs.Lydia has been a part of The Learning Tree Academy's family for a while now, and she is diving into her first year being a part of our team as well! Mrs.Lydia graduated from Brenau University with a bachelor's in Science and an emphasis in Early Childhood Education. She loves spending time outdoors with her family, which includes her husband and her two young children, Everly and Ellis. Mrs.Lydia is eager to share her love for nature and learning with the kindergarten class!
Second Grade Teacher
Mrs.Maggie is in her thirteenth year at The Learning Tree Academy. She has a daughter, Bailey, who is in the fourth grade. In May of 2009, Miss Maggie graduated from Stephens County High School. She attended North Georgia Technical College in 2011 with her Associate's degree in Applied Business Technology with a con
Second Grade Teacher
Mrs.Maggie is in her thirteenth year at The Learning Tree Academy. She has a daughter, Bailey, who is in the fourth grade. In May of 2009, Miss Maggie graduated from Stephens County High School. She attended North Georgia Technical College in 2011 with her Associate's degree in Applied Business Technology with a concentration in Para Professionalism. Mrs.Maggie prides herself in her first-grade classroom being filled with love, laughter, learning, and growth.
Third Grade Teacher
Mrs.Mary McSherry is a Michigan native who moved to Toccoa in 2009 to become a summer camp counselor. She met her now-husband in the summer of 2009, and the rest is history. Mary and her husband, Kyle, own Crossfit Yona and reside in Toccoa with their son, Alex, and foster children. In the past, Mary has had a short
Third Grade Teacher
Mrs.Mary McSherry is a Michigan native who moved to Toccoa in 2009 to become a summer camp counselor. She met her now-husband in the summer of 2009, and the rest is history. Mary and her husband, Kyle, own Crossfit Yona and reside in Toccoa with their son, Alex, and foster children. In the past, Mary has had a short stint working at The Learning Tree Academy in the 3-year-old room. You may recognize her from her last thirteen years of leading overnight and summer day camp programs, locally, along with many other community and youth development programs. Prior to moving to Georgia, Mary earned her Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from Concordia University. Mary is excited to be a part of The Learning Tree Academy once again and cannot wait to work with your child!
Fourth Grade Teacher
Mrs.Jina is a familiar face at Learning Tree Academy as she has supported her son Kyle in the establishment of our beautiful butterfly and vegetable gardens, enjoyed being "Mama J" to her grandchildren here, and taught several beekeeping lessons to our children. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Fur
Fourth Grade Teacher
Mrs.Jina is a familiar face at Learning Tree Academy as she has supported her son Kyle in the establishment of our beautiful butterfly and vegetable gardens, enjoyed being "Mama J" to her grandchildren here, and taught several beekeeping lessons to our children. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Furman University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education from Emmanuel College. Miss Jina taught several years at Royston Elementary, and in most recent years she has enjoyed working and spending time on their family farm with her husband, David, and relishing time with their 9 grandchildren. Miss Jina loves participating in our Farm to School and Fitness programs and loves the fun and adventure that comes with teaching our students.
1661 Fernside Dr, Toccoa, Georgia 30577, United States
Open today | 07:00 am – 03:00 pm |
Weekly Tuition
The Outdoor Learning School (7am-3pm) $155
Extended Day Program (3pm-6pm) $45
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