Our Teachers
Jennifer MacGregor Dennis
Program Director and Teacher
Jennifer is a mother with 2 decades experience working with and caring for children. Growing up in Scotland she spent her childhood outdoors in all weather conditions and carries with her a deep love of the natural world, inspired constantly by its beauty and power. Jennifer trained with Wendolyn Bird to become a Forest School Teacher before taking on a program in Fairfax, Wendolyn continues to mentor A Wilder Harmony. She is a trained Iyengar Yoga teacher, holds a BA in Human Geography, studied Design at the Institute of European Design, Madrid and is a graduate of Tamalpa Institute's Expressive Movement and Art Therapy Training. She is also a qualified bodyworker through the School of Holistic Therapy. Jennifer has taught Art, Yoga, Nature Connection and English to children of all ages in Madrid, India, New York, Peru, Edinburgh and now California.
"I was once told that if you can make friends with nature you are never alone, I now know this to be true."
Iamuel McPherson
Teacher
Iamuel McPherson joins A Wilder Harmony with tremendous enthusiasm she is excited to join such a unique community of children, educators and parents at A Wilder Harmony preschool. She truly has a passion for working with our youngest learners, and looks forward to guiding the children as they grow strong and true within a nature-connected community. As a lifelong learner herself, she is continuously curious about, and deeply reverent of the natural world, and feels most at home outside in nature. Iamuel has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology in addition to a certification to teach Early Childhood Education, as well as over twenty years experience working with children both in and outside of the classroom. As an educator, her intention is to facilitate the development of admiration for life and empathy for others, while creating a strong foundation for a lifetime of learning and holistic, harmonious engagement with our world. Inspired by children, their curiosity and their need to make sense of everything around them, Iamuel is always ready to embark on the journey of discovery, exploration, and growth in a positive and fun environment. She is delighted to support our students at A Wilder Harmony in developing a deep connection to themselves, their community, and our environment as we engage in sacred play together!
Wendolyn
Mentor and Guide
Wendolyn Bird, the visionary behind Nature-Infused Coaching—a distinctive and transformative approach designed to empower parents and teachers of children aged 2-6 years old struggling with tantrums and transitions. Her method revolves around comprehending Nature's blueprint, enabling parents and educators to foster calm within themselves while cultivating & unfolding happiness and security in the little ones they care for.
In 1996, she founded one of the earliest known 100% outdoor nomadic preschools and summer camps for older children. In June 2019, she closed the preschool and turned towards her coaching and courses practice. As a mother of two grown daughters and two granddaughters, she brings valuable personal experience, depth and wisdom to her work.
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Lisa Allen
Co-founder/Vision Holder/Mentor
Lisa grew up among the redwoods, mountains and seashores of Northern California.   A Juilliard trained flautist, her master’s degree was followed by a startling turn, finding her true calling working with children in the most natural, playful ways possible. Â
Four decades of teaching span from creative child-centered music making and flute instruction to mindfulness practices for all ages.  Having mentored many young professionals in elementary music education Lisa herself has received mentorship from world class masters in flute performance, Orff-Schulwerk music instruction, and mindfulness for children. Â
Public school music and mindfulness teaching became interlaced with Lisa’s personal passion for Non-Violent Communication and complex trauma resolution.  She began to see behavior as varied expressions of the universal human need to be seen and loved within a caring circle of safety.  Her teaching took on new life when guided by this deeper, quieter, wilder harmony.  Teaching early childhood in the forest is her natural response.Â
Lisa enjoys her thirty-nineth year of marriage with her Juilliard sweetheart. They share deep gratitude for their two vibrantly wild grown children.
