Nadina Martel
Forest School Kindergarten Teacher
I grew up in Plymouth, Massachusetts, and have loved everything to do with the natural world since I can remember. I attended Bridgewater State University with a double major of Biology and Elementary education, before transferring and graduating from MTSU with my k-6 elementary degree. I taught 5th grade for 7 years and 7th grade for one year, and an afterschool program of prek-8th graders for all 8 of those years. I incorporated science, art, and activities related to the outdoors and nature in my plans.
My husband and I run a Cub Scout Pack, this is our 7th year involved in scouting. We have three children ages 12, 6, and 3. I decided to stay home when our 3rd child was born. I currently teach a 4/5 year old class on Tuesdays and Thursdays at St. Mark’s Preschool and Parent’s Day Out program.
Rob Shaffer
Farm Forest School Director
Hello! I'm Rob Shaffer, one of the owners of Oakview Farm and am currently a full time farmer and retired teacher. I taught for over twenty years, focused on students with hearing loss: ten years with ages three through six at Vanderbilt University's Bill Wilkerson Center, and the rest of the time working with various ages, from kindergarten to twelfth grade, in Arizona, Nashville, and right here in Rutherford County. I completed Forest School teacher training through the Forest School Teacher Institute in the Chattanooga, Tennessee area. I am Hard-0f-hearing and my second language is American Sign Language, so you will see that I incorporate that knowledge into different elements of the forest school, farm classes, as well as with our on-farm activities and events. I'm looking forward to beginning our on-farm forest school. Check out our Facebook and Instagram pages to get up-to-date information about our Farm!