Meet our staff!
Heather Hartigan
Owner and Program Director
Heather's passion for early education was ignited the moment she began working with toddlers early in her career. She witnessed their eagerness to explore and understand the world around them through play. Heather recognized the unique opportunity that early educators have to foster curiosity and promote a lifelong passion for learning by encouraging questions , exploration, and play. Heather built Mini Explorers with the mission to create a safe space for children to explore the natural world through play and hands-on experiences. She believes that the greatest service we can provide is a place for kids to learn in the outdoors.
Wyatt Greene
Lead Preschool Teacher
Hi, my name is Wyatt Greene, or as the kiddos call me, Mr. Wyatt!
I have a bachelor's degree in psychology, and my background is working with at-risk youth, many of whom had learning disabilities and/or were neurodivergent, at a mental health facility. My approach to learning is focused on active learning that fosters creativity and curiosity. I believe having a routine with room for flexibility, where teachers are partners for learning, is very important. I want to encourage curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking skills by offering scaffolding, asking open-ended questions, and supporting children as they make choices and problem-solve. I believe this approach will equip them with the initiative and the social skills to thrive in kindergarten!
Faith Crowell
Assistant Teacher
Hey all! My name is Faith. I am a recent graduate of Oregon State University with a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources, specializing in education. I have worked in outdoor education since 2020, when I fell in love with conservation outreach while living in Hawai'i. Since then, it has been my goal to connect people with the outdoors!
I like to say that I think kids are the greatest scientists: their process of learning is done through constant experimentation, asking questions, and making hypotheses about the world around them. I believe that my role as an educator is to encourage their natural curiosity through hands-on experiences, exploration, and play!