Our Staff
Leadership and Administration
Megan Patterson | Founder & Executive Director
Megan Patterson is the Founder and Executive Director of Worldmind, an outdoor-based, non-profit independent school in Denver, and the Founder and CEO of Beyond Exceptional, offering free and tuition-based homeschool enrichment, tutoring, consulting, and parent and teacher education. She holds a certification in School Management and Leadership from Harvard Business School.
Specializing in neurodiversity and twice-exceptionality, Megan is dedicated to creating dynamic educational systems where students can thrive. Being twice-exceptional herself, as is her son, she understands the importance of tailored educational environments.
While working on her master's degree in Ecological Teaching and Learning, Megan conducted research on outdoor-based and place-based education and various neurodiversities, including ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and giftedness. Her passion led her to establish Worldmind and collaborate with the State of Colorado as the only pilot program for outdoor-based early childhood education, resulting in state licensure for outdoor-based preschools.
Worldmind, which began as an outdoor-based enrichment program in 2015, has expanded to include elementary and middle school grades, with a high school hybrid model launching in August 2024. The school focuses on small group learning, social-emotional learning (SEL), and STEAM education in an outdoor setting.
Megan, trained in trauma-informed education through Life Space Crisis Intervention, also offers individual and family consulting and teacher training. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, backpacking, and camping with her son and two dogs.
Caroline Griesel | Emotional and Physical Safety Director
Caroline began at Worldmind as a parent in the Child and Caregiver program. After apprenticing for two years, she became a lead teacher, leading Worldmind programs such as the Child and Caregiver program and the Homeschool Enrichment program. Upon completing a Level 3 Forest School Certification from the Forest School Association in the UK, she began teaching Forest School programs for Worldmind Elementary and Middle School, along with Worldmind’s kindergarten class. In 2021, she took on the role of Director of Emotional and Physical Safety at Worldmind, guiding Worldmind staff in their endeavors to maintain safety in all facets.
Caroline’s future goals include expanding Worldmind’s educator training program, expanding her knowledge of trauma-informed education, and gaining her preschool director qualification. Inspired by her childhood fishing and collecting shells on the beach of Galveston, Texas, she hopes to make a lifelong connection to nature and self-exploration and learning through nature available to anyone.
Caroline holds a bachelor’s in Zoology with a focus on Entomology from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. She has 8 years of experience in education, including teaching children’s English classes in Japan and being a para-professional in public schools. She also spent some time in Ecotourism, researching ecological relationships between ants and sea birds and guiding kayak tours to the research site.
Caroline specializes in neurodiversity and twice-exceptionality, and she is trained in trauma-informed education through Beyond Consequences Institute. She is an amateur naturalist and adventurer who loves stargazing, bushcraft, and curating her collection of rocks and minerals.
Chelsea James | Early Education Director
Chelsea's journey with Worldmind started in 2017, initially as a parent when her oldest child enrolled. She quickly developed a deep appreciation for the educational model and the immersive nature experiences it offers. With a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and a passion for alternative educational approaches, she was eager to become an integral part of the school community. Working alongside Megan to develop the preschool program was an immensely fulfilling experience for her.
After taking time off to stay at home with her third child, Chelsea has devoted the past three years to leading the Early Education program at Heartland Academy Denver, a homeschool hybrid institute and serving as her church's Director of Music Ministry. She is enthusiastic about returning to Worldmind to support both parents and educators in collaborating to provide enriching growth opportunities for each child and their family.
Chelsea brings a diverse range of experience from her roles in Jefferson County Public Schools and Mile High Montessori, and through her personal experience raising neurodiverse children. She enjoys engaging in all outdoor activities, especially those that keep her curious. Her favorites include skiing, hiking, swimming, cooking, and fostering a loving family.
Worldmind Primary & Secondary Teachers
Jennifer Baker | Math & Science Teacher
K-6 Connecticut Certified Teacher for the past fifteen years, Jen has taught math and science at the middle school level and has been immersed in teaching math to K-1 through the Russian School of Mathematics. Her own educational journey is soundly based in a public alternative pilot grade school program that emphasized service, social action, and experiential learning, where their days were spent in exploration and child-led learning. She attended a public high school and graduated with a degree in Outdoor and Environmental Education from Prescott College in 1991.
During her parenting years, she facilitated her two children’s educational path using inspirations from John Holt, John Taylor Gatto, and the homeschooling community. After receiving her MS.Ed from the University of Bridgeport in 2008, she taught 7th-8th grade science in a parochial school, then entered the public school system as a grade 7 special education assistant, followed by grade 6 science/math for 5 years. At this time in her career, she returns to what matters most: connecting children to themselves, their community, and nature through experiential activities, discovery, and reflection.
Scott Levi | Math & Social Studies Teacher
Scott is proud to be from Denver. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Northern Arizona University and a master’s degree in Teaching from the University of Northern Colorado with an endorsement in elementary education. After working in both state and national politics, he found his next public service calling via education. He started out teaching chess and frisbee after school, became a substitute teacher for Cherry Creek School District, then worked for two years as a Denver Math Fellow teaching middle school math intervention in Denver Public Schools. Camping, backpacking, and other positive outdoor experiences proved vital to his formative years; they instilled in him both a respect for sustainable adventuring and a deep appreciation for Mother Earth. Equity and mathematics are especially important to Scott, and he perseveres to inspire the next generation of lifelong learners to think critically and resourcefully about global and local issues.
In his free time, Scott enjoys cycling, disc golfing, ultimate frisbee, playing Dungeons and Dragons, and developing computer programs with his lifelong friends online.
Amy Snodgrass | Literacy Teacher
Amy holds a master’s degree in Secondary English Education and a bachelor’s degree in English Literature and Creative Writing. She began her career in education by volunteering with creative writing programs in Oregon School for the Deaf and Oregon State Penitentiary. She worked as an assistant teacher in Dallas, Texas before finding her home in Denver, where she spent four years teaching fifth grade reading. In addition to English Language Arts, she has experience teaching music, creative writing, and art. Amy is a proponent of the Forest School model because she believes the best education fosters curiosity and confidence in learners. She is passionate about project-based curriculum design that fosters strong habits of discussion through both shared readings and choice texts.
She spends her time reading, practicing yoga, playing cooperative board games, hiking, writing poetry, and illustrating comics and graphic novels.
Worldmind Early Education Teachers
Julia Bent | Kindergarten/1st Grade Teacher
From Louisiana, Julia is a passionate educator with vast experience in Elementary/Secondary education, SPED, and intervention. She loves to investigate all things Earth— rocks, bones, plants, animals, weather, you name it! Utilizing her skills in research, she brings an all-encompassing knowledge of science and the environment that enriches the students’ education in the nature school environment. Her experience with SPED and intervention provide a knowledgeable and welcoming environment for social-emotional learning and neurodivergent education. She loves to foster both independence and strength, and building relationships and teamwork, creating a well-rounded education for her students.
Outside of work, Julia loves to spend time with her dogs, learn new things, and explore the outdoors.
Liz Sanson | Preschool Teacher
Liz graduated from Dartmouth College with a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies. After graduating, she worked at Nature’s Classroom Institute, developing and implementing environmental education curriculum across the United States. She later worked at Montana Outdoor Science School. Through these experiences she realized her passion for helping students connect with themselves, each other, and nature. She lived in Sydney Australia for 3 years doing environmental research and is excited to be back in Denver, where she grew up. Her values deeply align with the forest school model and inclusive education.
When she’s not working, she enjoys spending time with friends and family outside. Specifically, she loves skiing, surfing, yoga, improv comedy and writing songs on her ukelele!
Tracy Schamel | Preschool Teacher
Born in Denver, Tracy spent most of her time growing up on horseback, exploring the foothills and southern parts of Colorado. At an early age, she had her first experiences in teaching through introducing people to horses and riding. She began her career in early childhood right out of high school while continuing her education at Red Rocks Community College.
Tracy has been an early childhood teacher for 25 years. Over the course of her career, she has had the opportunity to train in a wide variety of programs including: Creative Curriculum, FrogStreet, High Scope, and Reggio Emilia. She shifted focus in 2021 to nature-based education and continues to build her knowledge base in this area.
Tracy spends her down time riding her horses, taking her cats for walks, crafting, and building her photography portfolio while exploring the many state parks around Colorado.
Rachel Marlatt | Preschool Teacher
Rachel grew up in Michigan but has been loving living in Colorado so far! Rachel loves living somewhere that still has seasons, but has the spectacular mountain views to go with them! Rachel has had a love for nature and wildlife her entire life which lead her to getting her Bachelor's degree in Biology. After a year abroad being a wildlife researcher, she found her passion in education. She has taught in a variety of different education settings from pre-school to adults. She continued to follow her passion for inquiry based education and got her Master's degree in Biological Sciences focusing on Inquiry Based Education.
When not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband and their house full of animals! She has 3 dogs, a cat, a bearded dragon, 6 rats, and a Madagascar hissing cockroach. She also enjoys hiking, art, and photography! Rachel is so excited to be able to teach in a natural setting and bringing her love of the natural world into her classroom!
Charles Rupert | STEM Teacher
Charles is thrilled to join the team at Worldmind as a STEM teacher. Charles graduated from Southern New Hampshire University where he studied computer science and honed his skills in problem-solving, analytical thinking, and innovation as a software developer and engineer. Alongside his technical expertise, he brings a deep appreciation for mathematics as a foundation for logical reasoning and discovery, a passion he looks forward to fostering in the classroom.
Beyond academics, Charles has a long-standing involvement in sports, including serving as a professional soccer referee for half a decade and counting. Through officiating at the national level and for international academies, he has learned the importance of teamwork, discipline, and perseverance—values he hopes to inspire in my students. Combining his enthusiasm for math, engineering, and sport, Charles is committed to creating an engaging and supportive environment where every student’s curiosity and unique strengths are celebrated and nurtured.
Em Goodwin | Kindergarten/1st Grade Teacher
A transplant from northeast Florida, Em has fallen in love with Denver, the beautiful mountains, and the abundance of nature. They enjoy experiencing Colorado’s flora and fauna with a similar child-like wonder as their students— Florida is a very one-note climate and they feel that discovering all that Denver has to offer is still so magical!
Em has vast experience in early childhood education, primary education, music education, and school psychology. They have a Bachelor of Music Education from Stetson University in Deland, Florida. They studied education techniques for all ages, and opera performance! They are also a freelance artist, engrossed in the local art community through vending, commissions, and local partnerships. Incorporating art and music into nature-based education is a passion of theirs, combining their passion for the arts and for early education. From their experience teaching Pre-K-5th grade, as well as their graduate courses in School Psychology, they have a strength and passion for social-emotional education, trauma-informed practices, and children’s’ mental health.
In their free time, they enjoy creating art, picnics at the park, thrifting, and board games. They have a 7 year-old cat named Cashew, and a ball python named Pudding.