THIS IS US

Left to Right: Sandy, Elizabeth, Kristi, Natasha, Grace and Will

We are thrilled to have such a smart, engaged, kind, and funny team. We know how important it is for students to have consistent mentors they can trust and rely on each day, and for parents to know exactly who will be teaching their child throughout the year. We invite you to read our bios; we think you’ll agree we’ve assembled a truly special team.

Sandy Babbitt  comes to Roots and Wings with a background in early intervention, early childhood speech, and autism support. Her love for nature began in childhood, thanks to parents who believed that a Saturday spent working in the yard was the ultimate family fun. That early influence stuck.  Sandy is now a Master Gardener and a passionate reader of all things nature-related and feeling her best when her hands are in the soil.  With a deep love for teaching young children, Sandy thrives on creating lessons that are hands-on and playful, believing this is the most effective and joyful way for children to learn. She is the lead teacher and curriculum creator behind our Nature School programs.  You’ll find Sandy teaching across all levels at Roots and Wings, from our core classes and project classes to our Rooted Literature and our Early Nature School for our youngest students. She's especially excited about bringing hands on learning to our upper level science class this year. Her creativity, warmth, and expertise help shape the heart of our school.

Natasha Grogan brings a rich background in special education, independent tutoring, and behavioral disorders to Roots and Wings. A community builder at heart, Natasha is also a mom of four young children and a passionate supporter of local food and slow living. She has a deep love for children’s literature, believing it connects kids to history, emotions, imagination, and the world around them. Natasha also believes that even the most challenging subjects, like math and science, can be taught creatively and meaningfully. She proves it daily with the Rooted Math  and Math Workshop curriculums she developed.  Since becoming a mother, Natasha has witnessed firsthand the power of “Vitamin N” (nature!) in her children’s lives.  She’s also the behind-the-scenes powerhouse who manages registration, parent communication, and countless essential details that keep everything running smoothly.  After having baby W last August, Natasha is ready to teach again and will be leading our Rooted Math Workshop class. 

Elizabeth’s Campbell's love of nature began in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, where she spent her summers at Nature Camp. That passion deepened during her time at James Madison University, where she explored the beauty of Shenandoah National Park while earning her degree.  Before joining Roots and Wings, Elizabeth spent seven years teaching first grade in a traditional classroom in South Carolina. She brings with her a strong belief that children develop a lifelong love of learning when lessons are relevant, engaging, and fun.  Elizabeth is co-teaching our First/Second Grade, Kindergarten/First, and 4K/ 5K and Science with Writing classes.   She also serves as the lead teacher and curriculum developer for our Rooted Literature class and plays a vital behind-the-scenes role in helping Roots and Wings run smoothly every day.  A mom of two little ones, Elizabeth is also a lover of dogs, travel, people, and kindness. This will be Elizabeth's 4th year at Roots and Wings. We’re so grateful to have her heart, wisdom, and creativity on our team!  

Will Belue has been a part of Roots and Wings almost since the very beginning—his family was one of the first to join us seven years ago when we were just starting out. Over the years, Will has become an integral part of our teaching team. He currently co-teaches our K/1 class, project classes and Math Workshop.   Will  leads our National Parks project class and was the creative force behind one of our very first projects: Wilderness.  A true outdoor enthusiast and experienced wilderness instructor, Will brings a wealth of knowledge, passion, and a sense of adventure to everything he does. He’s also a dad of three,  sings in a band, and is our resident snake-catching trail guide. We’re incredibly lucky to have him on our team! This will be Will's 3rd year with Roots and Wings.

Grace Crowhurst  is a senior at North Greenville University, where she studies Outdoor Leadership and Communications. She’s passionate about spending time in nature. She loves hiking, paddleboarding, and  simply soaking up the sun. With over six years of experience as a private tutor and a natural gift for connecting with kids, Grace brings both enthusiasm and expertise to our team. We’re thrilled to have her co-teaching our First/Second graders and our sweet 4K/5K kids.  Grace also makes hand crafted journals that you can find in shops around Greenville and Travelers Rest.  

Kristi Kendrick and her kids have been a part of Roots and Wings since we started.  Her son was one of the original nature kids back in 2019!  She has always had a gift for connecting with children and a passion for helping them grow and learn.  She worked as an elementary school counselor in Greenville for seven years where she created and implemented a curriculum focused on supporting students' personal, social and academic development.  After staying home with her own kids, she discovered the joy of a life spent learning together immersed in the natural world.  She brings a love of the outdoors and an enthusiasm for support kids on their own unique learning journey.  Kristi will be co-teaching our 1st/2nd and 4K/5K class and will be teaching our growth mindset lessons.  

Welcome to Roots + Wings!

We’re so glad you’re here.

As we step into our 7th year in 2025, we can hardly believe how much we’ve grown. What started as a small dream with a handful of families has blossomed into a thriving, joyful community of nature-loving learners. And in 2024, we took a big leap, we became a nonprofit school! This new chapter gives us the opportunity to grow in meaningful ways and share the magic of outdoor classrooms with even more families.

At Roots + Wings, we believe deeply in what we do. We’re a passionate, close-knit team committed to outdoor education, positive school experiences, and helping children build lifelong connections with nature. In 2023, we moved into a new home that keeps us learning and exploring in all kinds of weather.   We find so much joy in creating hands-on, play-based learning, connecting with nature-minded families, and being part of the Greenville community. It’s not just about teaching, it’s about building something beautiful together.

Now, as a nonprofit, our hopes and dreams are growing too. We’re excited to:

• Reach out and serve more families
• Collaborate with other local nonprofits
• Offer scholarships so more children can join us
• Seek out grants and support to help our mission flourish

We truly believe Roots + Wings is something special. It's a space where kids feel free, curious, and deeply connected to the world around them. And we can't wait to see where this journey takes us next. Thank you for being part of it.

~ Natasha & Sandy