Bradleigh Olson
Full Time Teacher and Co - Director
Bradleigh brings 17 years of teaching experience to her work as an educator, along with a Master’s Degree in Teaching and a deep commitment to whole-child learning. She has spent the past 7 years teaching in multi-age classrooms, where she has developed a strong appreciation for the richness, collaboration, and differentiation that these environments offer.
Bradleigh grew up in a small farming town in Virginia and attended very ordinary schools. A few standout teachers, however, provided learning experiences that were anything but. It was those educators that ultimately sparked her passion for learning and led her toward a career in education—one where she could offer that same sense of inspiration to others.
She attended Christopher Newport University, a liberal arts school in Newport News, Virginia, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Teaching. She then spent eight years teaching 4th grade in the Virginia public school system, gaining valuable experience working with students from diverse backgrounds and developing a strong foundation in providing high-quality, engaging education.
In 2019, Bradleigh moved to Vermont with her husband, seeking a lifestyle rooted in nature and outdoor connection. She joined Mountain River School, a small, outdoor-focused, place-based education school, where she taught for four years. There, she deepened her experience in multi-age classrooms and embraced a more holistic approach to education—one that nurtures academic, social, and emotional growth.
Bradleigh is excited to continue her teaching journey at Wildwood Forest Academy, where she supports students in becoming confident, capable, and lifelong learners in an environment that honors the whole child.
Outside of the classroom, she enjoys spending time in nature—whether day hiking, backpacking, kayaking, cycling, skiing, or simply being outdoors.
Genevieve Larocque
Founder, Director & Naturalist
As the founder and director of Wildwood Forest Academy, Gen brings a unique blend of educational expertise, entrepreneurial spirit, and community-building passion to the realm of nature-based education.
With a background in early childhood education, Gen initially embarked on their journey in the educational field while pursuing their studies. Following this, they transitioned into a full-time role as a yoga instructor, where they honed their skills as an entrepreneur, educator, and community leader.
During her tenure as a yoga instructor, Gen cultivated a thriving community, trained numerous teachers, and fostered deep connections among participants. Through this experience, they discovered the profound impact that immersive, experiential learning in natural environments can have on individuals of all ages.
Driven by a desire to combine their passion for education, nature, and community, Gen founded WFA. In this role, they lead with a vision to provide children with enriching experiences in nature, fostering curiosity, resilience, and a lifelong love for learning.
With Gen's dynamic leadership, WFA has become a beacon of innovative education, where children are empowered to explore, discover, and thrive in the natural world. Through hands-on activities, outdoor adventures, and collaborative learning, she is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of environmental stewards and compassionate global citizens.
Outside of WFA, Gen continues to inspire and empower communities through her involvement in various initiatives aimed at promoting holistic well-being, environmental conservation, and educational innovation.
As the director of Wildwood Forest Academy, Gen remains steadfast in their commitment to providing a transformative educational experience that cultivates a deep connection to nature and fosters a lifelong love for learning.
Ali Brown
Curriculum consultant
Ali Brown is an experienced educator, coach, and facilitator who works with teachers and instructional leaders to support them in developing the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to transform learning experiences and outcomes for students. Ali has a deep passion for transforming teaching and learning and grounds her work in her best teachers: the students in the Bronx, Harlem, and Kentucky who challenged her to become the best educator she could be. As an education consultant, Ali has worked with numerous schools, districts, and two state educational organizations (New York and New Hampshire) to support their efforts in providing the highest possible quality of education to students. Each year she coaches approximately 40 leaders and teachers across the country with BetterLesson.
At LVFFS, Ali serves as the curriculum director. In collaboration with the founder and teachers, Ali helped to design the academic program for students, which integrates innovative teaching approaches with some of the nation's most highly rated, research-based curricular resources. Ali works closely with LVFFS teachers to monitor student progress in learning, as well as ensure that students have access to the highest quality learning experiences possible. As the mother of a current kindergartener at LVFFS, she is inspired daily by the powerful social, emotional, and academic gains her son Hugh is making.
Ali grew up on a large apple tree farm in Indiana and spent much of her youth working on the farm or wandering the surrounding forests. She began her career in education in 2002 as a middle school teacher in the Bronx, NY. Before moving on to leadership roles in education, Ali taught for six years and was a founding teacher of two middle schools. She was also a founding instructor and curriculum writer for the Relay Graduate School of Education and Southern New Hampshire’s Competency-Based Masters Graduate Program. Ali served as a Senior Achievement Director at Achievement First, reaching a network of more than 30 schools for eight years. Ali has a Masters of Science in Teaching and a BA from Indiana University, where she triple majored in philosophy, sociology, and religious studies.