Looking to Connect with NH Loving Permies & Educators

Hello, Permies! I am an ecologically oriented Montessori educator and homesteader with a passion for teaching kids to create respectful and sustainable community.

I have started nature-based Montessori programs in Vermont and India. I was so close to opening my dream school in Vermont right when the pandemic hit and schools closed, and the property owner decided to sell quick instead of waiting on our lease-to-own. The website I created for that school will give you an idea of my extended vision:
www.ecocommunityschool.org

My Current Vision:
At this time, I'd love to connect with kind and respectful people who share similar interests and would be interested in leasing a property together to start this on a smaller scale (camps, homeschooler programs, workshops, farm stand) and grow over time. There are frequently farming properties with housing available in New Hampshire (3 currently) and Northern New England for lease, and I'd like to find a like-minded team to join me on this journey to teach children how to create a healthier, more sustainable culture.
Alternately, I'd be interested in running the educational aspect of an established community. For now, I am committed to the general area of central New Hampshire to be close to my family and elderly mother. (Among my family and friends, locally, are those skilled in aquaculture and instrument repair, painting/arts, spinning, weaving and handwork, homesteading, foraging, theater, as well as musicians, yoga teachers, middle and high school educators, and more who would love to contribute to our programming in this area.)

My Experience:
I have a Master's in Education, BA in Education and Health Arts & Sciences, a Vet Tech degree, Montessori training in elementary/6-12 year olds, taught 3-6 yo Montessori for several years, and also have some infant/toddler Montessori experience. I additionally have school start-up and leadership experience, and a background in special education. I did a short stint learning to create community and ecovillages at Findhorn in Scotland, and experienced their amazing techniques connecting with plants in their remarkable gardens.
As a homesteader I have bred and raised chickens, rabbits, and wool sheep, have experience with LGDs, horses, vermiculture, and some no-till regenerative growing and hügelkultur. I am a flower essence practitioner and a dog trainer. For additional income and joy, I'd like to start a very small scale dog boarding and training/daycare side business. I'm learning to train service dogs and allergen alert dogs, so that would be my focus. A true Montessorian, I dabble in a lot of things and have a great love of learning!

Your Experience:
I'd especially like to collaborate with those who have expertise in permaculture/regenerative growing, whole foods culinary arts, and green building (earth shelter, wofati, RMHs, tiny homes, woodworking, etc.) to collaborate, support educational programming for kids, offer adult workshops, and create peaceful, respectful community together. I'm especially excited to integrate soil science, polyculture, crop covers and living mulches, growing mushrooms, hügelkultur, and Holzer and Fukuoka techniques. Or, if you're just lit up by any of this vision, please connect!

Really I'm looking for like-minded people who are teachers at heart ~ kind, non-judgmental, gentle, creative, open-minded, lovers of the earth and all of its beings. I love and appreciate plant based diets, though personally do best on keto and Paleo foods. No heavy drinking or smoking, please. You must love dogs and kids! ;)

If you're interested in learning more, please check out my website. It's wordy, but thorough, haha. And please tell me more about yourself and your endeavors here or via email, to start. Thanks so much for checking out this thread!

April
peassc@gmail.com

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Welcome to permies, you'll fit right in.  I love that you're passionate about teaching children to connect with the earth and grow, in every way.  While I'm not in NH I wish you great success in your endeavours, and if you haven't already, consider adding this post to the regional subforum for New England.