She is the author of Wild Learning: Practical Ideas to Bring Teaching Outdoors and the creator of the popular Wild Math® and Wild Reading® curriculum series. Rachel’s two children, Finn and Taro, were her first inspiration for teaching math and reading outside.
Before starting Wild Learning®, Rachel taught as an elementary special education teacher and homeschooled her own children.
She is now a doctoral candidate at the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point, studying Educational Sustainability and Literacy, and plans to complete her degree in late fall 2025.
Her research explores how place-based, integrated language arts and science/sustainability curriculum can help children see the connections between people and nature and develop the skills they need to care for their world. In spring 2025, she created and implemented a model curriculum in upper-elementary classrooms across Canada and evaluated student learning.
Working toward her doctorate has given Rachel a deeper understanding of how children learn. She designs every Wild Learning® resource to spark curiosity, make learning meaningful, and help children build a deep understanding and connection to the world around them.
Rachel earned a master’s degree in Elementary and Special Education from Bank Street College of Education and a B.S. in Environmental Science & Analysis from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. She holds five teaching certificates in early childhood, elementary, special education, and literacy K-12.
She enjoys quiet walks in nature, reading good books, making baskets, traveling, and drinking strong coffee. You can find her on Instagram and Facebook @discoverwildlearning.
Hi there!
My name is Rachel and my family and I live in the Finger Lakes Region of New York. We love to swim in the lakes, walk through the forest, and marvel at the many waterfalls in our area!
Rachel is passionate about integrating outdoor experiences and place-based learning into reading, writing, and math instruction.
She is the author of the book Wild Learning: Practical Ideas to Bring Teaching Outdoors and the popular Wild Math and Wild Reading curricula series. Rachel’s two children, Finn and Taro, were her original inspiration in teaching math and then reading outdoors!
Before founding Wild Learning®, Rachel obtained extensive teaching experience as an elementary special education teacher and as a homeschool parent.
She is currently a doctoral candidate at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in Educational Sustainability and Literacy. Her research focuses on using critical literacy as a pathway to build sustainability literacy skills, such as understanding the world is interconnected/interdependent (systems thinking) in elementary language arts. She developed a framework and model curriculum that was used as an instructional intervention in seven, upper elementary classrooms across Canada during the spring of 2025. She has completed all the coursework and plans to defend by the end of 2025.
Additionally, she earned a Dual Master’s degree in Elementary and Special Education from Bank Street College of Education and a B.S. in Environmental Science & Analysis from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry.
She holds four New York state teaching certificates in early childhood, elementary, and special education (both grade bands). She recently completed the requirements for a fifth certificate in Literacy K-12. She enjoys walking in nature (alone!), reading good books, making baskets, traveling, and drinking strong coffee.
Learn more about Rachel and Wild Learning on IG and FB @discoverwildlearning.
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Send an email to support@discoverwildlearning.com
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Photo: Sara Tro www.saratrophoto.com
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I acknowledge that the land where I live (Ithaca, NY), work, and gain inspiration from exists within the unceded territory of the Gayogo̱hó:nǫʼ (Cayuga Nation), which is part of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. I acknowledge their stewardship of this place throughout the centuries and today.
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