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filler@godaddy.com
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filler@godaddy.com
Hi! Thank you for taking the time to learn more about me and what Willow + Wren is all about! My name is Kristy Montesano and I am the facilitator for our preschool-age program, as well as our co-facilitator for our elementary-age program.
My love for the outdoors began as a young girl growing up in Canada, with my fondest memories playing in any type of water, enjoying the scents of the different trees, and finding/taking care of any living creature. I once brought a whole bunch of caterpillars up to my room, placed them in a box (without a lid) and didn't realize that they would crawl out of it...my walls and ceiling were then covered in caterpillars the next morning. I was 5 and obviously didn't think that far ahead.
I moved to RVA when I was 9 years old and continued my love for the outdoors by building forts in the woods by my house with the neighborhood kids and eventually started camping and kayaking as a young adult. My husband is Mike (see below for a brief bio) and will be joining us as the primary facilitator one Saturday per month for our older elementary -age class. We have two boys named Jackson (8) and Jude (4) who are the complete opposite of one another, so that keeps us on our toes!
Once my oldest started preschool at 3 years old, I decided to become a stay-at-home parent (can we please change the title of this position?!). I began volunteering for story times and themed parties and found my passion for engaging with toddlers/preschoolers and encouraging their curiosity through interactive and silly play in natural environments. I am extremely silly, sarcastically funny, and love to incorporate music into most of our daily life.
As a stay-at-home parent of two little boys, I was desperately craving a social activity for my littles to explore, play, sing, dance, and to just be silly + loud with their peers. Yearning for this type of experience for my children came with another void though… I wanted a judgment free zone for myself as a parent and the opportunity to socialize with other parents/caregivers who shared similar learning styles for their little ones. So, I realized that what I was really looking for was a facilitator to guide my little one and their friends, while I could enjoy uninterrupted time to reconnect with myself in nature or uninterrupted time to have a conversation with a new friend. We all know the feeling of trying to have a conversation with a grown-up at the playground while our eyes and ears are really focused on the kids. So, I decided to create my very own happy hour class to provide just that. With fresh ideas and the suggestions of like-minded parents and teachers, Willow + Wren was born.
ELEMENTARY CLASS FACILITATOR
When you think of someone who is "outdoorsy", Mike is your person that will come to mind. Growing up in upstate NY, he experienced and loved all things related to the Adirondack mountains (hiking, climbing, backpacking, camping, canoeing, etc.).
Mike loved his time working with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, while providing knowledge and helping people become a better steward of the environment. He also spent some time in MN as a canoe guide for the Boy Scouts Northern Tier High-Adventure Base. If that wasn't enough outdoorsy adventure, Mike also graduated from SUNY Environmental Science of Forestry Ranger School in the Adirondacks, where he began his love for tree identification.
After moving to VA for a forestry position, Mike and Kristy met in 2004 and began their life together. Mike now works as a Conductor for Amtrak out of DC. He is excited to share his knowledge and experience with our son, Jackson, and his age group of peers once per month with WILLOW + WREN!
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Richmond, VA