Prioritizing nature in early childhood education.
About Seeds of Wonder
Seeds of Wonder is a nature-based Montessori preschool in Kittery, Maine that serves children ages 18 months to 5 years in half and full-day programs. Unlike many specialized preschools, Seeds of Wonder is open 12 months a year.
Bringing together two trusted and well-established organizations, White Pine Programs and Brixham Montessori Friends School, Seeds of Wonder emphasizes the missions of each organization while creating a program all its own.
The mission of Seeds of Wonder is to nurture each child’s sense of wonder, curiosity, and kinship with the natural world through a collaborative approach to nature-based Montessori education.
Located at the Kittery Community Center, the program provides an affordable, high-quality nature-based toddler and preschool program based on the philosophies and teaching methods of Maria Montessori and the practices of nature connection. At Seeds of Wonder, teachers and parents work as partners to meet the needs of the whole child.
Learn about our founding organizations
Brixham Montessori Friends School is a Montessori-accredited school serving children ages 2-11, Brixham Montessori Friends School offers a holistic approach to learning where children’s minds, bodies and spirits are nurtured through an enriched Montessori educational program.
White Pine Programs provides transformational nature experiences that forge personal resilience, inspire lifelong commitment to our environment, and connect individuals to community. Programming varies from forest school, to summer camp, to in-school environmental education for students and teachers.
Our Team
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Kate Milne
Executive Director
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Marissa Cyr
Lead Nature Educator, Primary Class
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Kenzie Kalp
Lead Nature Educator, Toddler Class
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Julia Richmond
Toddler Montessori Guide
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Brian Sullivan
Primary Montessori Guide
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Elke Young
Support Teacher
Board of Directors
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Rachael DiLorenzo
Board President
Mom to two vibrant boys, a passion for community involvement, and deep rooted family ties to Kittery and Brixham Montessori.
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Heather Campbell
Board Member, Co-Founder, White Pine Programs Executive Director
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Hannah Clark
Board Member
Hannah Clark is a middle school science teacher and the director of student programs at Heronfield Academy. Before entering the classroom, she worked as an environmental and outdoor educator for school groups and led extended wilderness canoeing and backpacking trips for young women in Maine. She lives with her husband and their dog, Luna, in Kittery Point, and is step-mom to three grown children.
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Holly Curtis
Board Member
Holly Curtis is a creative consultant and owner of the local children’s boutique Kit Supply + Co. A Kittery resident and mom of 2, Holly enjoys spending time in nature with her family, especially along the coast of Maine.
After many years as a creative executive, Holly opened Kit Supply + Co. in 2021 to embody her passions for thoughtfully made products, gearing up for outdoor adventures, and bringing together community. On the weekends you can find her walking with her family at Fort Foster, cheering on her kids at a Kittery sporting event, or reading stories at her shop in Kittery Foreside.
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Barbara Jenny
Board Member
Barbara is a practicing studio artist, former middle- and high school art and math teacher, adjunct in the Fine Arts Department at Great Bay Community College, community arts advocate, and small start-up business mentor. Along with her husband, Barbara manages properties in Maine and New Hampshire, including the vibrant Mural Building for creatives in Kittery.
Jenny’s two sons attended Brixham Montessori Friends School.
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Alica Johnson Grafe
Board Member, Co-Founder, Brixham Montessori Head of School
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Roanne Robbins
Board Member
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Jason Tuttle
Board Member
Jason, his wife Kate, and their son Felix were one of the first families to join Seeds of Wonder in 2022. He is currently a workforce development professional, but looks back at the 18 months he spent as a stay-at-home dad as the best job he's ever had! He was born and raised on a local farm in southern Maine and is thrilled to be part of a program that provides nature-based Montessori education in a community-centric environment like the Kittery Community Center. Leisure time for the Tuttle family is spent in the mountains, at the ocean, or on the family-farm in South Berwick, enjoying all of the wonderful outdoor adventures they can find.