Misse Axelrod
Program Director, Founder, Educator
Misse’s 20 years of experience in sustainable food systems and farming lead to a passion for education. Misse has been weaving farms, food, and education in public schools (PK-12) and on the farm for 10 years. Teaching farm, food, and nutrition education in 12 plus Vermont schools grew into a pilot school at Drift Farmstead this year. The pilot has been so rewarding for students and families that Misse is excited to expand it into a full-time independent school on the family farm.
Misse holds a B.A. in Sustainable Food Systems & Community from Green Mountain College
“It takes a village to grow a school. Community is the heart of education and by integrating nature, food, and elder knowledge into our curriculum we can learn together to be the best stewards of both our education and our land.” -Misse
Yasi Zeichner
Educator
Yasi has been involved in nature mentoring for over a decade, bringing to her role a passion for cultivating curiosity and joy in learning, and her background as a homeschooled child growing up in rural Vermont. She began her outdoor education journey at age 15 at EarthWalk Vermont, growing into a staff mentor there through her late teens and mid 20’s, and she now carries on the mentoring skills, stories, and songs which inspired her there. Yasi’s love for the outdoors weaves together with her love of music, and she enjoys sharing songs, fiddle tunes, and dance steps with anyone who wants to learn! She performs around New England (sometimes with her siblings as The Zeichner Trio) and teaches fiddle and percussive dance lessons, as well as serving on the boards/advisory boards of music non-profits Summit School of Traditional Music and Culture, and Young Tradition VT at VT Folklife. Yasi holds bachelor’s degrees in Equine Studies and Business Management from Vermont Technical College. When not playing music or wandering through the woods, she might be found dog-sitting, hanging out with her ducks and goose, journalling, reading, carving spoons, or feeding the resident chickadees out of her hand.
Sandra Carrillo
K-1st Grade Educator
Sandra was born in Bogotá, Colombia and emigrated to Caracas, Venezuela where she lived until 15 years old. She attended high school in Massachusetts and then went to college in Boston, Simmons College as an undergraduate, and Wheelock College for my master’s degree in Education.
I’ve lived in New England for all my adult life and the last 22 years in Vermont where I really call my home.
I’ve taught in Bogota Colombia, Boston Massachusetts, and here in Vermont. Teaching is my passion and most of my experience is working with children from kindergarten to third grade with the last five years in kindergarten. I have worked in public schools, charter schools and private schools throughout my teaching career.
I love walking, reading and cooking. I have two little dogs, Nando and Nena and a big orange cat called Kozie. My husband is retired and loves taking care of them. I have a daughter who is a winemaker in Vermont. I am very excited and HAPPY to be part of the Farm and Forest School and look forward to working with all of you!
Taryn Colonnese
Farmer, Farm-Based Educator, Teacher
Taryn has over 10 years of experience as an elementary school teacher. She has worked in a variety of schools as both a classroom and garden-based educator, and especially loves teaching in a hands-on, outdoor environment where curiosity and investigation drive learning. She is thrilled to be working at VFFS/Drift Farmstead where she can both farm and connect kids with authentic learning experiences on the land!
Taryn has a B.A. in Educational Studies and Sociology/Anthropology from Swarthmore College, a M.A. in Education from University of the Pacific/Bay Area Teacher Training Program, and a Vermont Level II Elementary teaching license. She also attended the Learn to Farm program at The Farm School in Massachusetts. In her free time, she loves to bake, ride bikes, hang out with her chickens, and read books.
Anne Massie
Farm to School Educator
Anne graduated from The Evergreen State College in 2011 with a focus on Ecological Agriculture and Social Justice. She is a a midwesterner hailing from Ohio. She has been a certified Permaculturist for a decade. Anne just graduated this Spring 2022 from Master of Science Food Systems program at The University of Vermont. Her focus in graduate school was the intersectionality of Social Justice, Climate Change and Food Access. Anne’s a chef who owned and operated her own farm-to-table food truck for five years. She’s also worked with non-profits addressing food insecurity, in education and on farms. In her free time Anne enjoys hiking with her two dogs, djing on WMRW Warren, Vermont radio, attending concerts, and gardening.
Annie Jackson, Outdoor Educator
Coming Soon…..
Teresa Helms
Assistant Teacher & MIT & Summer Camp Co-Director
Teresa recently graduated from the University of Vermont with degrees in Environmental Studies and Forestry. Growing up in the Blue Mountains of Pennsylvania, she found a love for working with kids in the outdoors at summer camps and homeschool groups in her home state. At UVM, she was lucky to be mentored in the art of place-based education through a natural history lens, and she is excited to continue teaching and learning here in Vermont. She believes that the infectious joys found in playing outside, sharing food, and getting to know the natural world are indispensable. Teresa is a frequent bird watcher, avid rock climber, aspiring gravel biker, and lover of all things homemade.
Sonya Currier
Summer Camp & Friday Program Mentor
Sonya is a mentor that leads with a bright light! She finds and shares joy in cultivating connection with all the students in nature, through stories, crafts, cooking, and play!! Sonya is a native Canadian who now lives in Northfield with her cats and family!!! When Sonya is not at VFFS you can find her snuggled with her kitties reading!