Seedkeepers’
EDUCATORS
MICKY MORTON, FOUNDER & EDUCATOR
Micky is an educator, folk herbalist, homesteader, and passionate environmentalist. She has worked with children professionally for over 20 years. A graduate of East Tennessee State University, she holds a bachelors and masters degree in Early Childhood Education. She previously worked at the Early Childhood Laboratory School at ETSU for over eight years teaching children birth through five and mentoring and training future teachers in a lab setting. She left this position to open up Johnson City's first nature school, Love Roots Farm School. Love Roots was the inspiration to grow the school to offer more opportunities and serve a greater number of children with additional educators, bringing a wider array of knowledge, energy, and love.
Micky is also a well known Herbalist in our area, creating folk remedies from the medicinal plants she and her husband and two boys grow on their homestead, Love Roots Farm. She has served as HERBalachia’s Herbal School program coordinator for the Herbalist Lifestyle Program.
Gently weaving in the knowledge and relationship of the Plant world while working with children, her life's passion is to connect children into their natural world. To guide them with the skills to be compassionate, loving, lifelong learners.
MARIA OFFIELD, EDUCATOR Farm To School Program Coordinator
Maria earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Nutrition from East Tennessee State University. In her graduate studies, she counseled and preformed research in the pediatric setting.
She was a co-founder of the Sowing Seeds program at the Mountain Home Food Forest where she served as an educator for over two years while presenting a seed-to-table approach to sustainable food with children 3-12 years of age.
Maria is honored to support the Seedkeepers’ in their exploration and connection to the forest. She believes lessons taught by the rhythms of nature are vital for children development. Maria acknowledges each Childs individual needs as she nurtures their relationship with the Earth and those around them.
She continues to enjoy expanding her own knowledge and ability to grow, forage, and preserve food. She raises chickens, ducks, and rabbits on a small homestead.
LESLEY VERNON, Resident School Herbalist
Lesley Vernon is the founder of Appalachian Alchemy and the resident program herbalist at Seedkeepers Forest School, where she combines her passion for Appalachian traditions, formal herbal training, and community engagement. A native of Bristol, Tennessee, Lesley’s connection to the land began in her grandmother’s gardens and the forests of East Tennessee. Her studies at HERBalachia, a school dedicated to Appalachian and global herbal traditions, deepened her understanding of plants, sustainable harvesting, and the Wise Woman traditions that inspire her work.
At Seedkeepers, Lesley empowers families to integrate herbal wellness into their daily lives. Through workshops, plant walks, and community-based programs, she fosters a deep respect for the natural world, encouraging simple, mindful practices that align with nature’s rhythms. Lesley’s approach cultivates meaningful connections to the land, inspiring families to embrace holistic wellness while nurturing a sustainable relationship with the environment.
WES KINCHELOE, EDUCATOR Sprouts STEM Program Coordinator
Wes is joining us with 15 years of teaching experience. He holds a Bachelor’s of Science in biology from Bethel University (TN) and a Master’s of Education in elementary education from Milligan College. He has served in administrative roles, STEM curriculum development, and as a teacher trainer. Experiences in all of those roles have given him insight on how to encourage children to create individual and group successes as well as to observe, question, and organize the information from their surroundings.
Wes is excited to join Seedkeepers staff, students, and its mission! He and his family have been longtime supporters. Seedkeepers has hosted his wife, Shanna, as a visiting educator and has been a place for their children to participate in summer programs both learning and leading. As a lifelong learner and one who enjoys being outdoors for work and recreation, Seedkeepers is happy to have him join our team.
SAMANTHA KENNEDY, Spanish Enrichment Educator
Samantha fell in love with the concept of Forest Schools from the moment she first read about them. To her the idea just made so much more sense than a traditional classroom. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in both Spanish and Education and joins us with over 10 years experience teaching in different environments ranging from public education to corporate training.
Having grown up in the mountains of West Virginia, Samantha has a deep love and respect for nature and is excited to have settled in East Tennessee to raise her own family. Her hope is to instill a lifelong curiosity in the children she meets about language, new cultures, and how we communicate. Samantha holds her BA in Spanish Literature and her BS in Education K-12.
GRACE EDWARDS, EDUCATOR Seeds Program Coordinator
Grace has a passion for music, arts and crafts, growing and cooking food, and nurturing children. She holds a degree in music education from Western Carolina University and studied early childhood education in ETSU’s graduate program. During graduate studies, Grace worked in the Early Childhood Laboratory School, deepening her appreciation for child-led and nature-centered learning environments.
With a harmonious blend of the arts and early childhood education, Grace creates a stimulating and nature-inspired learning environment for her students. She believes in the power of music to foster creativity, self-expression, and cognitive growth in young minds.
Being a mother of two wonderful children further fuels her passion for guiding and nurturing young minds. They serve as her constant inspiration and teachers, enriching her own journey as an educator.
Grace is committed to fostering a nurturing and inclusive environment where children can thrive, explore their potential, and develop a lifelong love for learning.
CHARIS CARTER, Music and Storytelling Enrichment Educator
Charis Carter serves as the Storytelling and Music Enrichment Educator at Seedkeepers, anchoring her expertise in East Tennessee. Her commitment to child-led learning, Place Based Learning, and her role as an Interpretive Naturalist reflect her dedication to fostering holistic educational experiences. With a nine-year professional tenure as a Musician and Educator, Charis has significantly contributed to local initiatives such as Art Transforms and Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM).
As an educator, Charis employs a multifaceted approach, engaging in freelance songwriting, vocalization, and storytelling to express her wide range of performance art. Her curriculum is underpinned by three fundamental principles: fostering kindness towards oneself, others, and nature. Charis's gentle guidance not only facilitates the development of a confident sense of self in children but also cultivates creative problem-solving, healthy risk-taking, happiness, and a sense of wonderment. Moreover, her methods contribute to the initiation of spiritual development while concurrently reducing feelings of anger, stress, and fear.
Charis holds a Master of Professional Communication, specializing in Storytelling and Old Time Music, from East Tennessee State University. Beyond her professional pursuits, her passions extend to sustainable and livable communities, the arts, locally sourced and wild food, earth medicine, and the dedicated care of her family. As a versatile multi-instrumentalist proficient in guitar, banjo, ukulele, voice, and piano, Charis brings a wealth of expertise and passion to her role at Seedkeepers.
We are so fortunate to have her join us once a week sharing her gifts with the children!
AMIE PERRY, EDUCATOR Morning Glory Program Coordinator
Amie fell in love with working with infants and toddlers when she became a teacher at a laboratory program. She finds their sense of wonder inspiring and loves to follow their lead and expand on their interests. Amie is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Early Childhood Education at East Tennessee State University and works in the Center of Excellence for STEM Education as a graduate assistant. Amie’s work is primarily focused on improving the quality of STEM teaching for young children. She loves how STEM learning unfolds so naturally as children explore the world around them. Amie is thrilled to be able to learn alongside children and families at Seedkeepers.