Our Instructors
Christy Penman
Christy Penman has been a Florida resident her whole life and has lived in Gainesville for over 15 years. Her love of nature (specifically plants!) started at a young age and continued into adulthood as she completed her undergraduate degree in Horticulture and her graduate degree in Horticultural Therapy. After completing the Master Naturalist course at UF, she realized her desire to work in outdoor education with kids, especially the youngest explorers of all. Before collaborating on the creation of Prairie’s Edge Forest School, Christy created and coordinated the environmental education program at Little Orange Creek Nature Park in Hawthorne, FL. She is married to Smitty and they have two explorers of their own, Ransom and Robin. Christy is certified as a Forest School Instructor through FSTI and has completed the Lifeways Early Childhood Certificate Program.
Co-Director & Lead Instructor
Hannah O’Malley
Hannah O’Malley is a FL native and has lived in Gainesville for almost 20 years. Her love of nature (specifically wildlife) began at a very young age and developed into a passion to share that love of nature with children. She received her degree from UF in Wildlife Ecology & Conservation, with a minor in Education. She had a career working as a wildlife biologist and in the natural resource field for over 15 years. She also gained experience working with children as a summer camp counselor at an outdoor recreation camp in CO, teaching environmental education to children in grades K-12 in the Bahamas, leading kids’ classes and activities at a nature center in IL, working as a park ranger at Sweetwater Wetlands Park, and hiking over 1500 miles with her young daughter. Hannah is certified as a Forest School Instructor through the Forest School Teacher Institute (FSTI).
Co-Director, Admin, and Instructor
Carolina Horn – As a new parent, Carolina quickly realized the importance of pursuing outdoor play experiences for her son Lucas and was delighted to connect with PEFS. After volunteering in the Acorn Class a few times, she fell in love with observing the littlest learners grow their fascination with the natural world and discover its beauty just as she did as a kid. Carolina enjoys how an outdoor classroom innately connects teachers/students to the present moment and increases mindfulness and a great sense of wonder. Carolina’s passion for holistic health led her to complete a degree in nutrition from FSU and a 200 hour yoga teacher training program. Carolina enjoys cooking, baking, birdwatching with her son, and traveling with her family and two golden doodles!
InstructorCarolina Horn
Prairie Babies Instructor
Melissa Baker
Known to her community as HoneyBee, Melissa is an entrepreneur, accomplished yoga teacher, author, and digital wellness expert who helps children and families reconnect with nature and to themselves in an always-on world. With a background in health education and behavior change, Melissa has spent years working with kids through P.E., kids fitness & yoga, and currently is pursuing her Masters in Social Work. She owns Unplug Academy, where she provides digital wellness coaching and workshops for both kids and adults on yoga, nature connection, and a healthy relationship with screens. Her book, Conscious Adulting in the Digital Age, shares her life and gives practical digital wellness tools.