Farm School
Montessori Farm School is designed by parents and educators for families. Our school is designed for hands-on experience and allows children to take the lead through connection with nature. We strive for students to feel empowered, empathetic, and enthusiastic. Our local outdoor farm school supports the community and helps foster a love and appreciation for the great outdoors where children thrive. We firmly believe students should be allowed to develop at their own pace all while being guided toward discovery with materials designed to cultivate a love for learning in the natural world. Here on the farm we encourage children to stay curious, work hard, become lifelong learners, and become responsible empathetic citizens.
A sample of content and units we study at farm school include:
Soil, worms, compost
Seed and food origins
Regenerative agriculture, farmland restoration, microbial farming
Native plants and insects
Animals and their habitats
Planting a garden
Structures
Our community
Seasons (tree identification, tracking, homes)
The ongoing COVID-19 health pandemic has brought a variety of challenges to our communities as parents and children are home trying to find ways to emotionally and logistically face health concerns, complete school and work responsibilities, and balance all the new roles and expectations. Coral Farms serves as a means to provide childcare and engage students in meaningful and relevant activities that foster learning and connection with our natural surroundings. Our values will be integrated and reinforced throughout the curriculum and within daily lessons. Our farm school here in Winthrop, Wa is currently designed to run two days a week from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Enrollment is currently closed but we always welcome questions and inquiries about future openings.
Meet The Team
Stu Montgomery
Stu grew up in Ireland, where the rugged landscape inspired in him a deep love of nature and adventure. He has worked as an instructor for Outward Bound for nine years throughout Australia, Massachusetts, and our very own Methow Valley. Stu is a wilderness first aid responder and is CPR certified. His love for teaching has led him to instruct many 50 day Outward Bound courses, an 80 day Outward Bound course, as well as many shorter courses in the mountains and the sea. He earned his Bachelors degree in Outdoor Education and is currently working on becoming certified to teach Wilderness First Responder courses.
Christa Culbert
Christa received her BFA from the School of Art Institute in Chicago in painting and drawing. She worked for several years as an educator on tall ships teaching youth about marine science, physics, navigation, weather, perseverance, and teamwork. Her love of the outdoors and education brought her to Northwest Outward Bound School in Mazama, where she worked as an instructor and logistics coordinator. She has also taught a variety of ages in equestrian programs in the U.S. and Ireland, including Equitherapy programs. She currently teaches for the Methow Arts program as well as at Coral Farm School. Christa loves art, animals, adventures, and is on an endless journey to learn and grow.
“There must be provision for the child to have contact with nature; to understand and appreciate the order, the harmony and the beauty in nature.”
-Maria Montessori
“To be whole. To be complete. Wildness reminds us what it means to be human, what we are connected to rather than what we are separate from.”
-Terry Tempest Williams
“We have such a brief opportunity to pass on to our children our love for this Earth, and to tell our stories. These are the moments when the world is made whole. In my children’s memories, the adventures we’ve had together in nature will always exist.”
-Richard Louv
