Payten Gibson, Assistant Director | Lead Tots Guide

Today’s Procrastination is tomorrow’s regret.
— Jim Rohn

About: Payten was born and raised in Northeast South Dakota, where she grew up in the country with a variety of animals. She has a very large family and is one of 44 grandchildren, all from one side! Payten has been around children her whole life and has worked in childcare for many years, although she grew up in the restaurant business and knows how to make a mean omelet. Before working in childcare, Payten worked as a CNA for years, during which she grew to love caring for people and making new friends. Payten loves traveling, and that is what brought her to land in Bigfork, Montana, three years ago.

Education: Payten is currently expanding her leadership skills through Waldorf administration and education courses at the Sophia Institute, deepening her understanding of holistic school governance, child development, and the spiritual foundation of Waldorf-inspired education. Payton also holds an associate's degree in business and is a certified nursing assistant.

Loves: Hiking, Snowshoeing, skiing, running, traveling, crocheting, crafting,
photography, and spending time with family.

Lena Camero | Language Teacher, Forest Skola® Guide

Each one teach one.
— African American Traditional

About: Lena is a cultural performer and educator raised on the Kumayaay-Ipai homelands. As a Hula dancer and daughter/granddaughter of cultural practitioners, she learned a deep reverence for the natural world and a reciprocal relationship with the plants, animals, rocks, waters, and winds. As a student at SKC, Lena has also been lucky enough to learn about the Flathead Valley from Salish and Blackfeet relations and is passionate about passing on this value of stewardship to the next generations.

Education: Lena comes from a background in Special Education, including ABA, American Sign Language, and various forms of nonverbal communication (AAC). She also has 15+ years of experience practicing and teaching various Polynesian cultural art forms.

Loves: Community Organizing, Linguistics, and Fun Facts!

Jordyn Krantz | Summer Camp Guide

Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.

— John Muir

About: Jordyn grew up in Bigfork, Montana, where summers were spent at Swan Lake and riding horses with her family. These early experiences fostered a deep, lifelong connection to the outdoors and shaped the way she engages with children today. She is passionate about nurturing a sense of wonder, reverence, and respect for the natural world in young learners and finds great joy in sharing this way of life with her two daughters.

Education: Jordyn has over a decade of experience in early childhood education and holds her preschool certification. She spent four years working in a Montessori setting, which led her to explore further and discover Waldorf and outdoor learning. This discovery deeply resonated with her values and educational philosophy. She remains inspired by the holistic, nature-centered approach of Waldorf education and looks forward to growing within the Waldorf community.

Loves: Gardening, fly fishing, hunting, baking, and spending meaningful time outdoors with her husband and daughters.

Ashlynn Field | Saplings Guide

The quieter you become, the more you are able to hear.
— Rumi

About: Ashlynn was born and raised in Arizona, with family roots in Polson, Montana, and today is grateful to call the mountains of Bigfork, Montana, home. Her connection to this place is grounded in a love for slower rhythms, open skies, and time spent outdoors.

Education: Ashlynn’s path to early childhood education has been shaped by many meaningful roles, including years spent as a nanny, family photographer, and working within a pediatric optical center. Although she built a successful career in tech administration and business, she felt a consistent pull toward work that was more relational, hands-on, and heart-centered. After moving to Montana, she followed that calling into early childhood education, where she feels deeply at home.

With fourteen years of experience as a ballerina, Ashlynn brings a strong sense of rhythm, movement, and creative expression into her work with children. She values presence, patience, and authentic connection, and believes children thrive when learning is rooted in calm, curiosity, and gentle guidance. Ashlynn is passionate about supporting children in environments that honor wonder, creativity, and the unfolding of each child’s unique development.

Loves: Paddleboarding, photography, travel, creative arts, music, and spending time outdoors with her husband and their two pups.

Rileigh, Assistant Guide | Infants, Tots in the Trees

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
— Proverbs 22:6

About
Rileigh is originally from a small town in rural West Virginia. The U.S. Air Force brought her to Great Falls in the fall of 2021, and she has since made Montana her home. She fell in love with the stunning landscapes and slower pace of life, which reminds her of where she grew up.

Her journey in childcare and early childhood development began in 2018 while working at a childcare center, where her passion for teaching and nurturing young minds first took root.

Education
She is currently pursuing a BA in Human Development and Family Studies and hopes to continue expanding her knowledge through additional training in a variety of teaching methods and approaches.

Loves
Reading, baking, music, meditating, and learning new things.

Grace, Assistant Guide | Saplings, Tots

“It’s always a good day to have a great day!”
— Unknown

About
Grace grew up in a large family in a small town in Oklahoma, while spending summers immersed in the natural beauty of Bigfork, Montana. Her childhood was rooted in outdoor exploration, fostering a lifelong connection to nature and a deep appreciation for the world around her.

One of the greatest influences in Grace’s life has been growing up alongside her older sister, who has autism. Through both sibling connection and caregiving experiences, she developed a strong sense of empathy, patience, and a passion for supporting children and individuals in reaching their fullest potential.

Education
Grace brings both personal and professional experience to her work with children and families. She has training in Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), which has strengthened her ability to provide thoughtful, individualized, and compassionate support within the learning environment.

Loves
Hiking, yoga, music, and any activity that keeps her grounded, creative, and energized! 

Presley, Assistant Guide | Pinewood Preschool, Forest Skola®

“What if I fall?’ Oh, but my darling, what if you fly?”
— Erin Hanson

About: Presley grew up in West Texas, where her love of nature began on her family’s ranch, spending her days exploring creeks, building forts, and riding horses. Over the past two years, she and her husband have traveled across the United States, working on a variety of ranches and experiencing diverse landscapes.

Her passion for working with children began as the eldest of four and grew over years of babysitting, during which she loved encouraging outdoor play, creativity, and imagination.

Education: She has worked in both public and private schools with children ranging from age one through 5th grade. She is currently pursuing a degree in Elementary Education and plans to emphasize Early Childhood Education.

Loves: Reading, spending time with her dog Finn, photography, antique and thrift shopping, painting, and drawing.

Assistant Guides not pictured: Ray and Jett