THIS IS US

Left to Right: Megan & Kim (special project teachers), Elizabeth, Sandy, Natasha and Will (core teachers)

Sandy Babbitt comes out of the world of  early intervention, early childhood speech and  autism.  Her love of nature started as a child, with parents who valued nature and convinced her that a Saturday spent working in the yard was family fun.  She's a master gardener and avid reader of all subjects of nature.  She loves teaching children and especially  enjoys creating lessons that are hands on and playful, believing that this is the best way for young children to learn. Sandy is lead teacher and creator of our Nature School curriculums.  You'll see her teaching all our core classes, project classes and geography.  She also teaches our youngest nature lovers in our Early Nature School classes.  

Natasha Grogan's background is in special education, independent tutoring, and behavioral disorders. She is a community builder, mom of four littles, and a lover of  local food.  Natasha has a deep love for children's literature, believing that it offers children connections to history, life, emotions and dreams.  She knows that any subject, even the "hard sciences", can be taught creatively and she proves it with our Rooted Math curriculum which she developed.  Natasha has always loved time spent in nature, but after having children she witnessed, first hand, the benefits of "Vitamin N".  Natasha is creator of our Rooted Math and Geography curriculums, and she co-teaches our project classes and Build.  She's the person behind the scenes that does all our registration, communication and so much more!

Elizabeth Campbell's  love of nature began when she spent time in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains every summer for Nature Camp.  Her love of nature grew when she earned her degree from James Madison University where she spent lots of time outdoors exploring Shenandoah National Park.  Elizabeth spent 7 years teaching first grade in South Carolina in a traditional classroom.  She believes curious children will develop a lifelong love for learning when they are presented with lessons that are  relevant, engaging and fun.  Elizabeth is the mom of two littles, lover of dogs, traveling, people and kindness.   Elizabeth is co-teaching our First and Second grade,  Kindergarten/First and  4/early 5  classes. She's lead teacher and curriculum developer of our Nature Literature class and is integral to Roots and Wings running smoothly, day after day.  

Will Belue has been a part of Roots and Wings almost from its beginning.  His family was one of the first families who joined us 7 years ago when we were just starting out.  Will is co-teaching our  First/Second grade class, Kindergarten/First class, our 4K/5K class  and our geography class.  Will is currently our lead teacher for our National Parks project class and spearheaded one of our original project classes; Wilderness.  Will has three kids, sings in a band, is an outdoor enthusiast, a wilderness instructor, and our resident snake catching trail guide. 

Welcome to Roots + Wings!  We are growing and proud to start our 7th year in  2025.  In 2024, we continued our journey through outdoor education in a new realm.  We became a non-profit school and are excited about the prospects of expanding and sharing the importance and beauty of outdoor classrooms.  

We are a mighty team dedicated to outdoor education, positive school experiences, building community and raising children who  engage with nature throughout their lives.  In 2023 we moved into a new home that serves us well in all weather!  We love getting creative, finding ways for young children to learn through play, connecting nature-minded families and being a part of the Greenville community. 

 With our nonprofit status,  we hope to provide  outreach in our community, partner with other nonprofits, offer scholarships for our classes and seek both public and private grants to support our mission.  We think the new Roots and Wings will be a force for nature education in the greater Greenville area and beyond.  

       ~Natasha and Sandy