Stacey Gummey, Founder, Executive Director and Lead Teacher
Stacey is a certified Forest Kindergarten Teacher, a trained Pennsylvania Master Naturalist and herbalist. She is also a native of Kennett Square, PA. Stacey began her studies at West Chester University in Pennsylvania with a focus on Art Education. She went on to MCCA Training Institute in Maryland and received her Early Childhood Education Development and Curriculum Teaching Certificate and also studied the Reggio Emilia Approach where she honed her skills as an Early Childhood Educator. After 5 years as a classroom teacher and 8 years as a Director at a large playgroup in Washington, DC. Stacey Gummey founded Hickory Hill Nature School to meet the needs of families who value the Forest Kindergarten philosophies and to offer an alternative to a 4 wall classroom that does not fit all children's needs. Stacey has come full circle in her love of nature as she experienced a very nature rich childhood in Kennett and Unionville growing up. Stacey and her husband Michael are also the proud parents of Endsley (10) and Hutch (7). They currently reside in Chadds Ford, PA.
Alyssa Molin
Teacher
Alyssa Molin got her start in Environmental Education working with children as a Summer Camp Counselor at Ashland Nature Center over 20 years ago. She followed with a Bachelors in Science from the University of Delaware in Agriculture and Natural Resources, with minors in Entomology and Art. She has worked in and out of the classroom; also earning her TECE 1 and 2 which certifies her as an Early Childhood Teacher and Teaching Assistant in the State of Delaware. In addition, she became a Certified Naturalist through the Delaware Nature Society in 2016.
She has worked for the Land Conservancy of Southern Chester County as a Teacher-Naturalist, as well as for the Delaware Nature Society at all three of their New Castle County sights. She continues to work for Coverdale Farm Preserve teaching programs and Summer Camps, and you can also find her teaching her Summer “Moth Club” program to adults at Ashland Nature Center. In her spare time she enjoys staying active with aerial training, acting, kayaking, traveling, hiking, and chasing after her five year old Son, Ryker. She is happy and enthusiastic about sharing her Naturalist knowledge with the young learners at Hickory Hill Nature School!
Jill Panunto
Director & Teacher
Jill’s love for nature began during childhood where she spent her days immersed in imaginative play on her family’s 8-acre wooded land in Pennsylvania. She could often be found building forts, climbing rocks or searching for turtles near the creek.
Today, Jill loves taking her four children to wander new hiking paths and swim in creeks, while striving to introduce curiosity and connection to the world around them. Jill credits time spent outdoors to an appreciation for what nature has to offer us aesthetically, physically and spiritually.
Jill works as a birth doula and a chapter leader with ICAN of Delaware. During her free time, she enjoys quiet walks alone, reading, and wild edible foraging.
Dorothy Tovar
Teacher
Dorothy’s teaching career spans over 20 years. She is a PA/Delaware certified Early Childhood Educator, as well as an accredited Montessori Teacher. After graduating from West Chester University with a BS in Early Childhood Education, Dorothy was introduced to Montessori and fell in love with the Montessori philosophy. She pursued her Montessori Certification and spent the first 10 years of her teaching career as a lead teacher for the Kennett Montessori at the YMCA. In 2014, she transitioned to a new public Montessori school, First State Montessori Academy in Wilmington, Delaware; there she spent the next ten years as lead teacher in a kindergarten/first grade classroom. This past June, she made the difficult decision to retire from full time teaching.
This next chapter of her life brings her to Hickory Hill Nature School where she is excited about combining her deep love for the outdoors with teaching and facilitating young children. Dorothy says, “Her love for the outdoors, nature and animals has always been the core of who she is, and she is excited to share it with HHS students.” Dorothy is also looking forward to refreshing her Naturalist Certification that she earned in 2011 from the Delaware Nature Society.
Dorothy is a Kennett Square resident where she enjoys life with her husband, Luis, of 47 years, her three grown children and two beautiful grandchildren. In her quiet time, she loves to get lost in a good book, garden, hike, travel and cook.
Stacey Martens
Substitute Teacher
Stacey earned a degree in Advertising Design, then spent years as a software developer creating games and learning experience for museums. After spending time in Colorado she and her family moved back to PA and searched for trails to explore. She loves taking her kids to bike the pump track in Middle Run and play in Stateline Woods Preserve.
Stacey loves animals, horseback riding, mounting biking and hiking. She loves to explore with the curious kids at Hickory Hill!