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Our Team
Stevie Shickel Lee
Program Director
Born and raised in Harrisonburg, Stevie's roots go deep in the Shenandoah Valley. She loves spending time with children and enjoys the wonder that kids bring to everyday life. She is a NOLS Outdoor Educator, Leave No Trace Master Educator, and Wilderness First Responder with CPR training for children. Stevie has over ten years of professional experience in outdoor education. She has a bachelor's degree in Sport and Recreation Management and a master's degree in Sport and Recreation Leadership. She has worked as a climbing guide in West Virginia, as well as a trail crew leader for Appalachian Conservation Corps. With more than 500 days logged leading participants in wilderness recreation, you can rest assured that your child will be well cared for under her supervision. Stevie's hobbies include mountain biking, rock climbing, XC skiing, helping with high school youth group at her church, and spending time with friends and family.
David Lee
Assistant Director
Originally from Cincinnati, David moved to Harrisonburg in 2010, and never looked back. He worked as a bicycle mechanic for several years before becoming the GIS coordinator at Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative. David’s work with local maps combined with his love for riding bikes results in an intimate knowledge of the national forest. David plays a critical role in the planning, vision, and communication of Appalachian Forest School, and has since the very beginning.
Andrew Bollinger
Lead Instructor
A Shenandoah Valley native, Andrew has been romping in creeks and wandering through the woods since he was knee-high to a grasshopper. His passion for the great outdoors blossomed through a cumulative 15 years of participating and instructing in countless nature camps. Through these programs Andrew has led many adventure trips, and he has been certified in CPR, AED and Wilderness First Aid. Before joining the AFS team, Andrew spent time hitchhiking around the United States, working as a surgical assistant in a veterinary clinic, and facilitating education on world hunger and poverty through Heifer International. Andrew loves the joy and wonder that kids bring to every day, and enjoys fueling their creative and intrepid natures with rock paint and wild stories. On a lazy day, Andrew loves to go hiking, create via any medium, bike around Harrisonburg and play board games.
Crystal Wright
Lead Instructor
Crystal was born and raised between the mountains of West Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley. A forest kid from the start, she spent every summer with her cousins romping through the forests with a brown sack lunch and water bottle, being told not to come back until the sun went down. One of her favorite childhood memories is running wild and free through the mountains. About two weeks after graduating from JMU, where she majored in Studio Art and minored in Education, she gave birth to her first of five children. She went on to raise her family, homeschool her kids, teach art and piano to young students, and teach other homeschool students. Working for Appalachian Forest School combines two of her loves: toddlers and the woods. When not at work, she enjoys spending time in her own surrounding woods, taking care of her ducks, guineas, and chickens, making food from scratch, and spending time with her family.
Lydia Johnson
Lead Instructor
Also from the Shenandoah Valley, Lydia developed a deep love for the outdoors at an early age. Growing up with older brothers meant endless adventures of fishing, swimming, canoeing, skiing and exploring the wonders of nature.
Her experiences caring for children as a nanny and teaching in a private school setting have deepened her passion for guiding young learners. Lydia believes that nature is the ultimate classroom, where children can discover and create through hands-on experiences.
When she’s not at AFS, Lydia can be found at the gym or in the dance studio, where she shares her love of movement by teaching elementary ballet, and hip hop.
Rose Anderson
Assistant Instructor
Rose is an artist who came to the Valley for her undergrad only to find her home wrapped up in these mountains. Rose has worked with children in various capacities over the years. Growing up in a large family of naturalists with a running total of 25 nieces and nephews, she feels at home and herself with littles in the woods.
The best remark Rose ever received came from a mentor mentioning she helped him notice nature more. She is thankful for kiddos who do the same for her and is happy to pass along the favor. She enjoys drinking black tea with honey and friends, reading Gail Carson Levine and Jane Austen to nieces and walking around the city of Harrisonburg. Her superhero name would be, Just Ivy, as many have dubbed her the "good" version of Poison Ivy.
Caroline Wynne
Assistant Instructor
Originally from Norfolk, Caroline came to the Valley to pursue her passion for outdoor education, designing her own major at James Madison University with a focus on Outdoor Education and Special Education. Her journey has been deeply rooted in a belief that nature is one of the most powerful classrooms we have. She's completed an Outward Bound course that pushed her limits and helped her grow as an outdoor leader. Whether backpacking, hiking, foraging, camping, or running, she finds energy and inspiration in being outside — especially when joined by her dog, Maisy! She is excited to share the blessings of the outdoors with others and create meaningful, inclusive experiences for all learners.
Addie Riner
Assistant Instructor
Addie is proud to be from the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. She’s a recent graduate from the University of Mary Washington, where she earned a degree in elementary education and played on the women’s basketball team. Currently pursuing her Master’s of Education degree from the University of Virginia, she believes a teacher can never learn too much. Addie is passionate about providing kids with all the tools they need to succeed and fostering a love of learning. In her free time, she enjoys baking, staying active, traveling, and spending time with her friends and family.
Liv Boychenko
Assistant Instructor
Growing up in the Shenandoah Valley, Liv has fond memories of her early years spent in the mountains with her grandparents. Liv has been a dancer all her life and shares her love for dance with kids at a local dance studio in her time outside of forest school. She is a recent graduate from Liberty University and enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Fun fact - Liv loves visiting aquariums any chance she gets!
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