About Trails for Kids
Our mission is to provide children of all socioeconomic backgrounds direct nature interactions to encourage their physical and emotional social wellbeing. These experiences will promote prosilience, instill tolerance, provide social environmental justice and inspire future land stewards.
Debbie Ibrahim
Director
My name is Debbie Ibrahim or Ms. Debbie as the kids call me.
I am an informal teacher with 36 years of experience & have taught ages two-seniors. I live in Summit NJ since 2000 with my husband & have raised 3 daughters here.
Philosophy: Children need to be outdoors playing with curiosity & the freedom to imagine. Nature needs to be part of our children's lives on a daily basis for not only physical strength & motor skills, but most important for mental health.
I graduated from CUNY - Hunter with a BA in Bio-Psychology and in 2019 completed my Child Life certificate. I have training in DBT, Transformative, and Mindfulness. I recently received my certificate from ANFT as a Forest Therapist/Forest Bathing.
Other Certifications include CPR/ First Aid, Rutger's Environmental Stewardship/Tree Stewardship, NJ Audubon Naturalist Training & National Geographic Teaching Certification and NOLS Wilderness First Aid
Hollie Graze
Teacher
Hello, my name is Hollie Graze, I worked as an occupational therapist. I am an artist, and nature enthusiast. I have worked in the New York City Department of Education since 2001 after graduating from NYU. I have experience working with children Pre-K to eighth grade as well as children ages birth to three years old. I have a degree in Fine Art and own a creative business. When I am not making mosaics, I enjoy gardening, hiking, and birding. I believe nature is a powerful contributor to our well-being and development, inspiring introspection, curiosity and creativity, competency and confidence.
Natalie Ferrao
Teacher
My name is Natalie and I have been a Montessori teacher for 20 years. I am trained and qualified to teach children aged 3 to 6 years old, as well as birth to 3 years old. I was born and raised in England where I have always had a love and strong connection to the outdoors, regardless of the weather.
I am a mother of 9 year old twins and understand the importance of being within nature and using what it provides to expand their world, imagination and build important life skills while keeping that love of creative outdoor playing alive!
Tony Rivera
Teacher
I am a Paraprofessional at Livingston Ave School in Cranford NJ. I have held my 100 ton masters captain license for the past 10 years.
My goal is to get children out of the house and into the woods where I can share my love of fishing and the outdoors. Hopefully, imparting my knowledge gleaned from over thirty years of fishing and hunting.
Sarah Hollcraft
Teacher
Hello, my name is Miss Sarah. I grew up in the foothills of California where I loved camping and kayaking with my family. Between my previous jobs at summer camps, churches, and special education schools, I have experience working with children aged 4-17. The longer I work with kids, the more passionate I become about nurturing their love for learning that they. might never feel afraid or weary of asking questions and seeking answers. In my free time, I do a lot of reading, baking, and hiking with my dog, Fendi!
Co-Teachers
Nick Jones
Co-Teacher
Hello I'm Nick. I am well versed in identifying plants and mushrooms and their various properties. I am also competent in bushcraft (foraging, sourcing and purifying water, shelter building, and fire craft). In my free time I enjoy reading, backpacking, and climbing. Certifications include Leave No Trace- Master Educator and NOLS Wilderness First Aid.
Addisyn Ibrahim
Co-Teacher
A Communications major who attends University of CO in Boulder. She is a life guard, Varsity basketball player scoring over 1000 points, as well as has coached basketball & played soccer. She was a high school counselor at Presbyterian Church in NP and assistant dance instructor.
Julia Haas - Miss Julia graduated from Tulane University Summa Cum Laude with a degree in International Relations and Public Health. She is recently returned from a year teaching English to students ages 12-18 in Nan Province, Thailand. Julia has traveled extensively in Southeast Asia and Europe. She has experience as a camp counselor at Camp Invention, a lifeguard and swim instructor for beginner to advanced swimmers at the New Providence Community Pool and recently received her PADI scuba diving certification. Miss Julia loves travel, photography, skiing, surfing, and all activities outdoors.
