above: 2018 at Earthsong, first site of Athens Forest Kindergarten
Dear Forest Kindergarten Families,
I’m announcing today that I’ll be stepping down as Executive Director of Athens Forest Kindergarten, effective July 1, 2023. The Board has approved a new organizational structure that brings an exciting change, with two co-equal Directors overseeing our two major programs. Shelley Olin (Part-Time Educator, Fall 2022) will be back with us, this time as Director of AFK Connects, with a joint appointment as Educator. Ashley Dunn will be Director of the Preschool Program, and serve as Educator as well. We are so happy to report that Kylie Hamlin will remain on faculty in her position as Educator so that we will now have three regular Educators to facilitate our well-established forest kindergarten program!
It has been a joy to oversee Athens Forest Kindergarten’s growth in the past 6 years. In the Spring of 2017 (pregnant with Sylvan!) I was assessing interest on a Facebook group. Then just a year later a steering committee and I were wrapping up a pilot program, choosing a logo, hiring our first teacher, and beginning enrollment of students one day a week! The model has proven to be successful, as evidenced by our growth since then. Even with a pandemic closure of over a year, we’ve realized many of the goals we set out to achieve including a 4-day a week preschool, a fully enrolled class, the financial capacity to pay teachers a living wage, a vibrant working co-op model, an established partnership with UGA’s Education program, and successful implementation of AFK Connects outreach programs from playgroups to academic conference presentations! I’m so grateful for all of the families, volunteer board members, and hard working faculty and staff, and other community members who were inspired by this vision and helped to bring it to life. I’m immensely proud of what we’ve done together!
I’m also pleased to share that the Board of Directors has offered me an honorary position as Director Emeritus. In this non-voting, non-compensated seat on the Board, I will act in an advisory capacity, offering guidance and support where needed, beginning July 1, 2023. I look forward to watching as the next generation of AFK leaders bring their own experiences and perspectives to the continuation of this sacred, transformative work.
There is a lot to look forward to in the coming months including some several more AFK Connects events this Spring, a growing Board of Directors, plans for onsite composting next year, and more! Thanks for your support and patience and thanks for being the families that make the magic possible!
Warmly,
Sarah