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!
