Ashley Dunn joined our team during the summer of 2021. After working as an Educator for one semester, she is now taking on the new role of Co-Associate Director, along with Kylie Hamlin, while they continue to teach together daily as well. Here’s a recent interview with Ashley and the unique experiences she brings to our organization.

Kylie (L), Sarah (Center), and Ashley (R) ; Photo by Caroline Singletary

Q: You've worked in Education for a long time but also have a varied and interesting professional background! Tell us the story of how you came to this work and the path that led you to Athens Forest Kindergarten.

A: My own education is in Culinary Arts, and I worked as a pastry chef for several years. I was initially drawn to work in education when I began my journey as a mother. The desire to provide a holistic and authentic educational experience for my own child grew into a calling to facilitate the same experience for other children. I believe early childhood is a sacred time in one's life, and am truly honored to be a part of children's experiences as they enter the world. I began my teaching background in a Montessori environment, first as an electives teacher, then as a classroom assistant. I gained so many wonderful experiences with those children, but was drawn more and more to quality play-based care in early childhood. I have always held a very strong connection to nature and the natural world, so when I met with Sarah, I knew Athens Forest Kindergarten was the perfect match.

Q: You have a lot of experience as a maker. How can those practices be adapted to working with different ages of children? How do skills and activities fit into the child-led environment for you?

A: It is incredibly valuable for children to see their caregivers engaged in purposeful work. Working on a project alongside children allows an adult to model perseverance through engagement in a long-term project, which in the end creates something both useful and beautiful, as well as sparking an imitative interest in the child. Bringing natural materials to children creates a sense of warmth and highlights the interdependence of the natural environment and craft. I am particularly fond of fiber arts, and have found so much value in sharing this with children, from beginning to finger knit, weaving, learning to knit on needles, dyeing fiber with materials we forage together, and wet felting. It is a multi-sensory experience that builds connection, fine motor skills, and the will of the child so beautifully.

Q: At AFK we value interdependence, so in our faculty meetings we have talked about learning alongside our students and FROM our students! What is something you’ve learned from your students at AFK so far?

A: I truly learn something new from our incredible students every day! Beyond the facts they love to share about the world, the students teach me to live more in the moment and to truly observe the environment. Their pure enthusiasm is just so inspiring.

Q: Describe your perfect weekend day. What do you and your family do for fun?

Ashley has an eye for the magical side of the forest! Photo by Ashley Dunn

A: We love to make a fun weekend breakfast, and to get out for a hike, which is usually more of a meander through the forest. We're fortunate to have so many beautiful spaces within a short drive of Athens, and love to take our time exploring new places or visiting favorite spots with friends. Weekends usually also involve some knitting, and lots and lots of time to daydream.

Thank you for taking the time to let our community get to know you a little better, Ashley! We look forward to seeing all you will bring to the Nutrition Program and our school garden, growing the forest kindergarten, and future community projects!