Registering Now
2026-27
Our Team.
The heart of Flora & Fauna is our incredible team of guides, teachers, and mentors who bring joy, curiosity, and care to every part of the learning experience. We are a community of nature lovers, storytellers, artists, scientists, and nurturers—each with a passion for helping children grow in confidence, creativity, and connection.
Lori Stapleton
Director
Language Arts Guide​​​​​​​​​​​
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Lori grew up in a farming family in southern Georgia where she developed a deep love of plants, animals and the outdoors. It's only fitting that she would grow up to found a forest school. She completed her Bachelor of Arts in psychology at the University of Georgia before moving to Atlanta to join the commercial real estate and development industry. Shortly before the birth of her oldest daughter, she left the corporate world. As her two daughters approached school age, Lori discovered her true passion of working with children through the homeschool community. She has been a homeschool educator and Girl Scout Troop Leader since 2018. She is influenced by the natural elements, artistic expression, and simplicity of Waldorf as well as the practical application of Montessori. She is a fervent advocate for dyslexia awareness and designed Flora & Fauna as a learning environment in which struggling readers can flourish. Lori lives with her husband and daughters in Smoke Rise along with their many pets including dogs, a cat, Guinea Pigs and rabbits. She enjoys long walks in nature and baking with her daughters.
Lisa Farnsworth
Math & Science Guide
Community Connections Guide
Lisa brings more than a decade of classroom experience and a deep understanding of child development to Flora & Fauna. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Georgia and has spent her career teaching in a variety of educational settings, working with children of diverse learning styles and abilities. Her background in Conscious Discipline reflects her belief that meaningful learning grows from strong relationships, emotional safety, and a genuine understanding of each child.
At Flora & Fauna, Lisa guides students in mathematics and science while helping cultivate the supportive, relationship-centered community that is at the heart of our program. She enjoys creating learning experiences that are hands-on, engaging, and responsive to the needs of each child, encouraging curiosity, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning.
Originally from Nashville, Tennessee, Lisa lives in Atlanta with her husband, two children, their dog, and cat. She appreciates being part of a neighborhood where neighbors gather often, children play together, and relationships are part of everyday life. When she's not teaching, Lisa enjoys painting, crafting, and singing with several local music groups.
Marisa Fernandez
Program Guide
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Marisa Fernandez (a.k.a. Harper’s mom) is a beloved part of the Flora & Fauna team. She holds a B.S. in English with a concentration in Professional Writing from Slippery Rock University and brings a curious and playful presence to our program.
From Pennsylvania to Miami, Marisa’s journey eventually led her to the welcoming community of Smoke Rise, where she now manages a lively multigenerational household. She’s an active member of the local community—volunteering, gardening, and writing for The Smoke Signal. Her deep love for plants, animals, and the planet is evident in everything she does.
A student favorite, Marisa is known for her inquisitive spirit, her incredible storytelling voices, and her ability to turn any outdoor moment into a teachable one. She’s our resident plant and animal expert—always ready to help students identify a species, track animal signs, or explore how living things interact within their environment. Her natural curiosity and love of the wild world make her an inspiring and beloved guide.
April Babcock
Program Guide
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April is an artist, maker, and nature-lover who brings creativity, environmental stewardship, and hands-on learning into every interaction. Growing up in the misty forests of the Pacific Northwest, April developed a deep love for nature and storytelling that would later shape both her art and teaching. Drawn by a desire to expand her creative horizons, she journeyed across the country to attend SCAD in Savannah, where she earned a BFA in Animation with a minor in Illustration. Immersed in a new landscape rich with history and culture, April honed her craft and discovered fresh inspiration. Today, her personal artwork—ranging from whimsical illustrations to the earthy, hands-on practice of pottery—reflects this blend of natural wonder, cultural curiosity, and an enduring spirit of exploration.
Her journey as an educator has been shaped by years of mentoring and facilitating youth in creative, nature-centered settings, where learning happens through exploration, curiosity, and play. Whether guiding children through imaginative storytelling or leading them in outdoor art projects, April has a gift for creating a nurturing environment where students feel safe, seen, and inspired to try new things.
When she isn’t guiding students, April enjoys birdwatching, expanding her own artistic skills, and exploring Georgia’s forests.
Shannon Kadow
Program Assistant
Shannon has spent her career helping people learn, grow, and thrive—from supporting students as a special education paraprofessional to leading outdoor education classes at Wylde Center and coaching individuals of all ages in health and wellness. She has a special appreciation for hands-on learning and believes children flourish when they have opportunities to explore, move, create, and build confidence through meaningful experiences.
With a Master of Public Health and a background in education, Shannon brings a thoughtful, encouraging presence to Flora & Fauna. Her experience working alongside teachers to support students with a wide range of learning needs has given her a deep appreciation for meeting children where they are and helping each one feel capable, included, and successful. Whether she's assisting with a lesson, leading a nature activity, or organizing a game outdoors, she enjoys creating an environment where children feel safe, engaged, and excited to learn.
Outside the classroom, Shannon enjoys gardening, yoga, hiking, volunteering with local organizations, and fostering rescue dogs. She is the proud mom of two young adult children and is grateful to continue investing in the next generation through education and community.