Michelle Fox
Founder & Executive Director
Michelle Fox is the Founder and Executive Director of TreeSong. She has been an early childhood educator for over 30 years. After procuring a B.A. in Psychology and a B.A. in Spanish at the University of California at Davis, she earned an Elementary School Teaching Credential from the Multi-cultural/Bilingual Program at Sacramento State University. She has had teaching experiences in bilingual (Spanish/English) Elementary classrooms, Spanish immersion Kindergarten, Pre-school, as well as teaching Art to Elementary students.
Michelle has mentored children in nature awareness through a program she created called Roots and Wings, as well as taught yoga for kids for 10 years. She was also a mentor in a program called Maiden Spirit for 6 years. This beautiful program is designed to empower girls 9-13 and prepare them for a rite of passage ceremony.
In summer 2013, Michelle attended a week-long training in the Art of Mentoring at the Wilderness Awareness School in Duvall, WA. This inspiring week gave her a wonderful foundation in mentoring children in nature awareness. The last 10 years have also given her rich experiences and deepened her devotion to wholeness and the mind/body/spirit connection, through her practices of yoga and massage therapy.
Having had the opportunity to live on the Washougal River with her children for 4 years has also gifted her greatly. Through the day to day relationship with the forest, animals, river, she further opened to the powerful healing and learning that nature offers. Michelle was able to witness first-hand children (her own two) learning, growing, and returning to their own true nature as a result of their consistent contact with the natural world.
It is her most sincere wish to pass along what she has discovered and to support others in developing a life-changing relationship with the wilderness both outside and within.
laura Whittemore
board of directors
president
Instructor Laura Whittemore has been teaching classes in beginning birding and birding by ear for the Audubon Society of Portland since 2000. She loves to teach people about birds and open the door to learning more about their fascinating and interesting lives. Her goal as a teacher is to help students raise their awareness of the natural world around them. Laura finds that taking just five minutes to slow down and watch birds creates a meaningful and inspiring connection with creatures other people might pass by.
Susan Bettis
board of directors
Susan Bettis is a native Pacific Northwestern. A graduate of the University of Oregon, she holds a Ph.D. in Psychology with a focus on the neurophysiology of the brain and immune system. A retired supervisor and professor, she spent 40 years in the field. She received her Volcano Naturalist Certification from the Mt. St. Helen's Institute.
