About Trails for Kids
Our mission is to provide children of all socioeconomic backgrounds direct nature interactions to encourage their physical and emotional social wellbeing. These experiences will promote prosilience, instill tolerance, provide social environmental justice and inspire future land stewards.
Debbie Ibrahim
Director
My name is Debbie Ibrahim or Ms. Debbie as the kids call me.
I am an informal teacher with 36 years of experience & have taught ages two-seniors. I live in Summit NJ since 2000 with my husband & have raised 3 daughters here.
Philosophy: Children need to be outdoors playing with curiosity & the freedom to imagine. Nature needs to be part of our children's lives on a daily basis for not only physical strength & motor skills, but most important for mental health.
I graduated from CUNY - Hunter with a BA in Bio-Psychology and in 2019 completed my Child Life certificate. I have training in DBT, Transformative, and Mindfulness. I recently received my certificate from ANFT as a Forest Therapist/Forest Bathing.
Other Certifications include CPR/ First Aid, Rutger's Environmental Stewardship/Tree Stewardship, NJ Audubon Naturalist Training & National Geographic Teaching Certification and NOLS Wilderness First Aid
Natalie Ferrao
Teacher
My name is Natalie and I have been a Montessori teacher for 20 years. I am trained and qualified to teach children aged 3 to 6 years old, as well as birth to 3 years old. I was born and raised in England where I have always had a love and strong connection to the outdoors, regardless of the weather.
I am a mother of 9 year old twins and understand the importance of being within nature and using what it provides to expand their world, imagination and build important life skills while keeping that love of creative outdoor playing alive!
Bess Fergusson
Teacher
Bess Fergusson is an experienced Cedarsong Way® Forest School Teacher and post-graduate student in Early Childhood Education from RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia. She is a fluent Spanish speaker, enjoys traveling and exploring nature with her two children, her husband and dog.
Bess’ teaching style emphasizes curiosity, belonging and social-emotional development through both unstructured and guided play where children develop a sense of respect and care for their environment, their peers and themselves.
Hollie Graze
Teacher
Hello, my name is Hollie Graze, I worked as an occupational therapist. I am an artist, and nature enthusiast. I have worked in the New York City Department of Education since 2001 after graduating from NYU. I have experience working with children Pre-K to eighth grade as well as children ages birth to three years old. I have a degree in Fine Art and own a creative business. When I am not making mosaics, I enjoy gardening, hiking, and birding. I believe nature is a powerful contributor to our well-being and development, inspiring introspection, curiosity and creativity, competency and confidence.
Sarah Hollcraft
Teacher
Hello, my name is Miss Sarah. I grew up in the foothills of California where I loved camping and kayaking with my family. Between my previous jobs at summer camps, churches, and special education schools, I have experience working with children aged 4-17. The longer I work with kids, the more passionate I become about nurturing their love for learning that they. might never feel afraid or weary of asking questions and seeking answers. In my free time, I do a lot of reading, baking, and hiking with my dog, Fendi!
Kevin Borrelli
Teacher
Kevin Borrelli brings with him 5 years’ experience in outdoor environmental education and early childhood development and a lifelong love for natural science and history. His teaching focuses on experiential and sensory learning that aims to develop curiosity, confidence, and independence in children. Currently, his curriculum includes locally collected specimens from NJ that emphasize the joy and accessibility of studying the geology, ecology, paleontology and other relevant subjects in our home state and beyond. He is trained to handle macroinvertebrates, reptiles, amphibians, and raptors. Outside of teaching you can find Kevin creating art, playing music, and exploring the great outdoors.
Jason Fandino
Teacher
First and foremost, all of my sessions are a vessel of validation. To inspire that no matter where the student may be, their efforts are recognized and rewarded. My time is their safe space. Where the issues of real life can fall away. Where they can, for however long a session may be, fully delve into an activity that brings them joy, satisfaction, and pride. My role is to be fluid yet, also provide guidance and tutelage toward achieving the goals that they do not yet know how to attain. My conversation with parents is an effort to extend that safe space and relationship to carryover at home. I am a Kean Graduate with a degree and certification in Therapeutic Recreation. I am employed as Recreational Therapist by the Children's Specialized Hospital of RWJBH. Proudly a lifelong musician, bilingual in Spanish, and a cat owner.
Miss Selina
Teacher
Hi, I’m Miss Selina. I’m a certified physical education teacher in New York and New Jersey. I taught PE in a K-8 private school on the UWS for several years. I left teaching to spend more time with my children and founded “Moffle Bar”, an Asian American food stand that pops up at local festivals and street fairs. I enjoy being able to share my love of movement and food with the children through hands on activities that spark fun and creativity. I am the parent of a 16, 14, and 3 year old. In my very little spare time, I enjoy gardening, baking, time in the gym, and sports with friends.
