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Cook Rodgers, MS, AATCook Rodgers is a specialist in Child Development and Animal Assisted Therapy. Her graduate work in life span human development, family studies and marriage and family therapy has prepared her for a systems approach to working with children. 
Her work encompasses the whole child and all aspects of his or her development. She has worked with children of all ages and their families for over thirty years in a variety of settings. She is a trained Waldorf early childhood teacher and spent over 10 years in the Waldorf classroom incorporating the artistic and natural worlds into learning and healing opportunities. She has also been a pioneer in animal assisted therapy.She is currently the director of Wildflower Therapies for Children. At Wildflower Nature Center she serves children who have developmental challenges with a focus on healing in connection with the natural world. Some of her coworkers are the birds, the bees, the butterflies, the squirrels, the foxes, the deer, the raccoons, the fish, the frogs, the turtles, the water, the flowers, the trees, the stones, the mud, her amazing llama, and occasionally her dogs and cat. For the past 12 summers she has conducted therapy camps at Wildflower Nature Center and JenLo Farm with an interdisciplinary team of therapists for children ages 3 to 18. Growing up on the edge of a forest, she has always been deeply in touch with the elemental forces and the spirit of nature. Her greatest pleasure is to work and play in harmony with the natural world to strengthen the bodies, minds, and spirits of children. She has two young adult nature "boys" who amaze her at every turn. Zia Parker, MA, CMT Zia has had a private practice in Boulder as a holistic body therapist and movement coach for over 25 years. She has a double-major Master of Arts Degree from Beacon College in Movement Therapy; and in Wellness Design. She has been a certified Aston-Patterner for over 25 years, and is on the Aston national faculty. Over the last ten years, she has developed Agua Alma, aquatic bodywork and training. Zia has taught in Africa, Asia, the Americas in a wide range of healing arts; including movement education, bodywork, multi-cultural dance/theater. She has taught Permaculture (a blend of appropriate technology and sustainable agriculture)in Equatorial Guinea, W. Africa, at the Colorado Permaculture Institute, and on the Navaho and Arapaho Native American Reservations. Zia brings experience with many cultures to the Explora nature-based education Programs for kids. She has taught and learned from children in many settings. She believes that teaching to the individual’s interest is an essential bridge to authentic learning. This principle, coupled with Zia’s passion for sharing the Earth’s beauty and wisdom is the basis for the Explora programs. For more see> Katie McNeil, BA
Katy has been an educator since she was a child, teaching younger siblings how to read. The wide range of her experience working with kids allows her to work comfortably with groups and one-on-one, drawing on engaging and imaginative program content and curriculum developed over the years. A world traveler, bilingual in Spanish, musician, and lover of the natural world, Katy has spent time developing self-awareness and respect for diversity. She has seen how children can come into themselves when exposed to quiet time and time in nature. Even the most "activated" child would leave these experiences more grounded, relaxed and in their bodies. She is dedicated to honoring the inner world of children, to teaching to the whole child with an experience-oriented philosophy that works. In 1999, Katy became certified as a Water Safety Instructor. Resume> Stele E. Ely, CMT, PN Assistant to the Explora Programs. Stele created the EarthE.org, XOEarth.org and many other innovative and fun approaches to environmental education and motivation. In working with children, Stele appreciates the importance of structured creativity, individual responsibility, the power of teamwork and compassion. Stele has 25 years of experience as a Massage Therapist, and is a Practical Nurse.Resume> Esther Graw, PHDDoctorate of Education. Adviser to the Agua Alma Explora Program for kids and their parents. Resume> |
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