Staffing Philosophy
Thorne believes that well-qualified, passionate, caring, and committed staff are essential for the success, safety, and quality of our nature preschool program. All staff have the necessary early childhood qualifications but also have experience and training in mentoring children in nature.
Leadership
Lauren Barth (she/her)
Preschool DIRECTOR
laurenb@thornenature.org
Lauren joined the Thorne team years ago after finishing her major in Recreation Outdoor Education with an emphasis in outdoor leadership and youth education. Lauren also has an ECE certification through Front Range Community College and over six years of experience working with outdoor youth education programs. During her first four years at Thorne Nature Preschool, Lauren has had the joy of growing within this special community, as a lead teacher, Preschool Coordinator, and a float and support during many meaningful transitions, before becoming the Preschool Director in 2025. These experiences have deepened her appreciation for the magic that happens when children are given the space to connect with nature, follow their curiosities, and learn through wonder and exploration.
Lauren believes that the connection to nature at an early age is not only developmentally beneficial in the experience of free exploration, but it also helps build a connection to the spaces around us as stewards, leading to a better environmental future. In Lauren's free time, she can be found making jewelry out of retired skis, rafting, climbing, biking, running, and hiking with her dog Peri.
Our Teachers
Erica Carpenter (she/her)
PRESCHOOL EDUCATOR
erica@thornenature.org
Erica joined Thorne as a Summer Camp Instructor in 2024 and now works as a Preschool Educator. Erica grew up in Connecticut and spent her childhood catching frogs, playing amongst the trees, and iceskating on frozen ponds. After receiving her B.S. in Forestry from the University of Maine, she moved out to Colorado to work for the U.S. Forest Service as a Forest Ranger at the Maroon Bells. Erica began her childcare career in November of 2023 at a daycare and transitioned to nature- based education at the start of the following summer. Erica has a deep passion for finding the magic in nature and instilling the importance of caring for our Mother Earth within our future land stewards. Erica currently enjoys camping, crocheting and hiking.
SILJE Copper (she/her)
PRESCHOOL EDUCATOR
silje@thornenature.org
Silje Copper, pronounced Sil-yuh or Sil for short, is a graduate of Colorado State University with a BS in Human Dimensions of Natural Resources. She has worked with children in many different capacities over the years, starting as a summer day camp volunteer at 17. Since graduating from CSU, Silje worked with children at outdoor summer day camps, as an EcoWeek Instructor at the CSU mountain campus, as a paraprofessional in Poudre School District, and most recently by guiding outdoor field trips for students in the Denver Metro area. She is beyond excited to be working with Thorne Nature Preschool. It is her belief that children who develop a love of nature will become lifelong stewards of the earth and Thorne Nature Preschool helps children to love the outdoors.
Hannah Fowler (she/they)
PRESCHOOL EDUCATOR
hannah@thornenature.org
Hannah joined the preschool team in March of 2025. and worked as a summer camp instructor in between school years.
Hannah grew up on a cow and chicken farm in Alabama and was raised by winding streams, wild honeysuckle, and old-growth forests. She graduated from New York University with a B.A. in Environmental Studies and Liberal Studies. Their research, focused on environmental classism/racism in the deep South, fostered a passion to bring justice to the marginalized communities back home. She worked as an environmental educator at a camp in Alabama, where she not only developed a love for snakes and herptiles but also discovered the method of nature education as a tool for bringing justice to communities in need. She moved to Colorado in January of 2025 to gain the experience needed from established organizations doing just that.
Hattie Gilburt (she/her)
PRESCHOOL EDUCATOR
hattie@thornenature.org
Hattie graduated from CSU in 2023 with a bachelor’s in Human Dimensions in Natural Resources. Since then, she’s worked for the forest service and been an outdoor educator for Thorne during the summer. She’s proud to be a part of the Thorne team as one of the preschool educators. Her love for the outdoors and her passion for teaching young children go hand in hand at Thorne.
Katharine Gurholt (she/her)
PRESCHOOL EDUCATOR
katharine@thornenature.org
Born and raised in the foothills of Salt Lake City, Katharine has always considered nature her first and most beloved teacher. Surrounded by mountains and open skies, she developed a deep love for exploration that continues to inspire her work with children today. Believing that both children and adults thrive when connected to nature, she is passionate about sharing the magic of discovery through creativity and play to ignite curiosity and wonder.
With over 15 years of experience in early childhood education, Katharine brings a warm, collaborative spirit to her teaching. She has served in a variety of settings including Reggio-inspired, therapeutic and play-based schools, where she has enjoyed mentoring fellow educators and nurturing a sense of community. She’s now excited to step into the outdoors, where she can share her skills and love for nature to inspire children and educators alike.
Outside of her work, Katharine enjoys art, bird watching, backpacking, biking, skiing, yoga, cooking, and playing music with her partner.
Kayli Karie (she/her)
PRESCHOOL EDUCATOR
kayli@thornenature.org
Kayli joined the Thorne Team in June 2025 as a Lead Preschool Educator and is excited to combine her passions for early childhood education and the wonders of nature. She began her career working with children and families at a nonprofit serving individuals experiencing domestic violence. Kayli spent five years as a child and family advocate and case manager, but the part of the job that inspired her most was running playgroups that gave children the space to be children, to play and to heal.
In 2018, Kayli moved to Colorado from the Los Angeles area and shifted her career path to pursue teaching. She spent one year as an ECSE paraprofessional in SVVUSD before joining a school in Boulder, where she taught preschool and toddlers for five years. Kayli saw firsthand how the power of nature allows children to connect more deeply with themselves, their community, and the earth—and how, through those deep connections, they grow into wonderful human beings.
In her free time, Kayli enjoys hiking with friends, swimming, practicing yoga, and spending time with her partner, her dogs (Daisy and Boots), and her family.
Chris Shinn (he/him)
PRESCHOOL EDUCATOR
chris@thornenature.org
Growing up in Texas, Chris’s love for nature led him to catch Horny Toads, snakes, and get stung by scorpions. He initially pursued a major in wildlife biology before switching to receive a B.S. in photography. He enjoyed a forty-year career in commercial photography, capturing the everyday lives of people in their environment. In 2025, he earned his PDIS Level II credential through Early Childhood Service Corps. Chris started at Thorne as an intern, a substitute, and part-time assistant educator, and is excited to now be a full-time preschool educator. Children learning in the outdoors provides a unique opportunity to develop a sense of wonder and accomplishment.
The Thorne community of teachers, kids, and parents is truly inspiring. He feels at home.
Our Volunteers
Darcy Campbell (she/her)
PRESCHOOL Volunteer
Darcy is a Preschool volunteer and has been connected to Thorne over the past 20 years. Her three daughters attended Thorne camps, and she volunteered in various Thorne programs. She is a certified preschool teacher and has been involved in Thorne Nature Preschool since its beginning. She loves playing outside and learning with preschoolers. Before retiring, she worked as a hydrologist for the US Environmental Protection Agency.
Karen Freundlich (she/her)
PRESCHOOL Volunteer
Karen grew up in Colorado. She got her start in youth education working at a summer rec program for school aged children. She attended Colorado State University and earned a degree in Human Development and Family Studies with a focus on Child Studies. Karen went on to work with high needs children and in human services. Through these experiences, Karen became inspired to become a teacher. She then attended Metro State and earned her Early Childhood teacher certification. Karen taught for 3 years before staying home for 13 years raising her 2 sons! She eventually returned to teaching with Jeffco preschool which was a wonderful and fun 10 years of her career. After retiring, Karen missed being around young humans and inspiring educators. She then went on to find ECSC and the opportunity to volunteer at Thorne Nature Preschool!
Karen loves to be outdoors so her free time is spent walking, hiking, cycling, gardening and birding, in addition to coloring, dabbling with poetry, meditating, and journaling. Karen spends a lot of her time with friends and family as they bring her joy. Karen’s favorite part of preschool is watching a child process an experience and striking conversation with them about what they think! Their fresh wisdom always amazes her.
Marianne Mansfield (she/her)
PRESCHOOL Volunteer
Marianne started at Thorne Nature Preschool in 2022 as an intern while she was participating in the Early Childhood Service Corps (ECSC) training to become certified preschool teacher. ECSC is a Colorado-based nonprofit that offers free online training for older adults who are interested in working in preschools. Upon completing her training Marianne has continued with Thorne Preschool as a once a week volunteer. Prior to retirement, Marianne had a variety of jobs working in recreation management. She has a B.A in Social Welfare from California State University, Chico and a certificate in Marketing from the University of California, Berkeley.
Marianne enjoys hiking, volunteering for the Open Space Mountain Parks programs with the city of Boulder. In the summer, you might run into Marianne up at the Nature Center on Flagstaff Mountain. She also enjoys hiking, gardening, swimming and thinking up fun adventures.
“This is our second year at Thorne Nature Preschool and the teachers are what make this program a success.”
-Thorne Nature Preschool Parent
