Women Who Run With the Wolves
Corinne (Ms. Rin)
Founder and West Heron Class Teacher
My name is Corinne Matovich, founder of Rad Roots Nature School. I have been formally trained in environmental education and nature connection through outdoor schools I have spent years at over my career as a naturalist and educator. I graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a double major in Environmental Sociology and Communication. Throughout my years I have worked as a naturalist at Rancho Alegre Outdoor School and as an educator at Fairview Gardens Center for Urban Agriculture where I guided children through lessons on plant life and farm to table practices, as well as Wilderness Youth Project- an amazing organization working to explore outside with children and build community. I then worked in an Indigenous village in Alaska where I studied to become a certified youth mental health advocate in order to address social emotional learning processes in communities in the Yukon-Kuskokim Delta. I have now been living in San Diego as a local nature school teacher and am excited to welcome your child to the community. My philosophy is influenced by Forest School models of the UK, social emotional learning techniques, ethnobotany, Coyote Mentoring, the art of storytelling, power of play, and California Native plant magic!
Ms. Anna
Program Director & East Coot Lead Teacher
Hi, I’m Anna! I’m honored to enter my fourth year with Rad Roots.
I earned my degree in Environmental Science with an Honors minor from San Diego State University and trained as a Wilderness First Responder with Backcountry Medical Guides.
My passion for outdoor education took root while working as a counselor at a science camp in the Santa Cruz Mountains, where I discovered the magic of curiosity, connection, and learning through nature!
I center my teaching on patience, support, and understanding—meeting each child where they are and providing the tools they need to grow, build confidence, and connect with their environment.
I believe nature offers endless opportunities for learning, growth, and healing. Being part of a team that honors these connections every day is a gift—and I’m so grateful to share this journey with such an inspiring and supportive community!
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Ms. Mandy
East Hummingbird Lead Teacher
Hi everyone! My name is Mandy Padilla. I was born and raised in San Diego, spending much of my childhood exploring the vast and diverse ecosystems of California and developing a love for the outdoors. Fostering this love, I studied cross-cultural environmental practices and volunteered with various conservation groups. Graduating from San Diego State University with distinguished honors, I received a B.A. in Anthropology and a minor in Sustainability. I continue applying my passion for sustainable practices and awareness through outdoor education, inspiring younger generations to continue the path of conservation.
Ms. Celia
West Heron Nature School Teacher
Hello! I’m Celia, also known as Ms. Celia. My passion for nature and the ocean was cultivated during my childhood in Rhode Island, aptly known as the Ocean State. My early years were spent immersing myself in the outdoors: playing in the dirt, climbing trees, and exploring nature's offerings. Over the past three years with Rad Roots, I’ve had the privilege of providing children with similar enriching experiences. I earned a BA in Sustainability, Philosophy, and Psychology from San Diego State University, which has significantly influenced my approach to teaching. My experience working with children, including years of holding a safe space outside for children to explore, as well as various devoted nannying roles, has further developed my skills in fostering a space filled with growth, curiosity and a love for nature.
Ms. Laura
Westie Hawk Lead Teacher
Hi everyone! My name is Laura Gualtero, and I’m a strongly-rooted Colombian deeply connected to my culture and heritage. I graduated as a psychologist in my home country, where I discovered the power of art therapy as a tool for self-expression and healing. Working with special needs children and adults gave me the chance to integrate art into my work, fulfilling one of my personal goals
After moving to the States, I worked as a nanny exploring Montessori principles with children, discovering the value of learning through autonomy, play and hands-on experiences.
Living in San Diego has been a transformative journey that has taught me about the rich cultural traditions of this land and helping me connect more deeply with my own roots, and teaching me how to listen to my body, intuition and emotions.
As I grow on my own path, I hope to inspire children to develop deeper connections to their souls and authentic selves, acknowledge the importance of being part of nature, honoring the rhythms and cycles of life.
I feel deeply grateful to be part of this meaningful project and look forward to collaborating and connecting alongside with the team!
Ms. Ariel
Westie Hawk Nature School Teacher
Born and raised along the biodiverse coastal shores of southeastern North Carolina, I spent my childhood immersed in the forest and the ocean—surfing, swimming, exploring, and observing. Encouraged by parents who valued outdoor play, I developed a lifelong passion for adventure, curiosity about the natural world, and a love for creative exploration. After nannying in Carlsbad 3 summers ago, I quickly developed a deep connection to San Diego and nourished it long enough to now happily call North County my home.
My connection to nature deepened through five summers as an instructor at an all-girls surf camp, where I taught ocean safety and surfing to students of all ages. These experiences not only strengthened my bond with the sea but also sparked my love for working with children and witnessing the joy that nature-based learning brings.
In 2023, I earned a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences with a concentration in Conservation from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. The following year, I completed a 200-hour yoga teacher training program, further deepening my appreciation for the somatic connection between mind, body, and soul.
I’ve also volunteered and interned with the Plastic Ocean Project, a nonprofit focused on educating communities about plastic pollution through research, art, and collaboration. My work with them reflects my commitment to environmental stewardship and the power of community-driven change.
I believe nature is our greatest teacher—offering us healing, insight, and a sense of belonging when we take the time to truly listen. My hope is to create a mindful, nurturing space where children can connect with the environment through science, spirit, and hands-on exploration— inspiring a relationship with the earth that encourages curiosity, respect, and self-realization. It is truly my dream to facilitate this as a teacher at Rad Roots!
Ms. Gabby
East Hummingbird Nature School Teacher
Hi everyone, I’m Gabby! Originally, I’m from Silverthorne, Colorado, a small town surrounded by snowy mountains, rivers, and aspen trees. Being raised in a small mountain town fostered my
great love for the outdoors. This love for the outdoors brought me to San Luis Obispo, where I graduated from Cal Poly with a degree in Environmental Management. After college, I spent two
amazing years back in Colorado as an outdoor educator for K-12 students, helping kids explore the outdoors, ask questions, and discover their own connection to the natural world. Those
moments of curiosity and wonder are what keep me inspired every day. Now based in lovely San Diego, I’m excited to keep sharing my passion for the earth with the Rad Roots community!
Ms. Hailey
Westie Hawk Nature School Teacher
Hi, I’m Hailey! I’m a lover of wildlife and the ecosystems that bind us. I hold a B.A. in Global Environmental Studies from the University of Pennsylvania, which grew into seven years of working across continents to support biodiversity conservation. I’ve had the honor of contributing to coral reef and mangrove protection in Southeast Asia, climate adaptation programs in Barbados, and efforts to counter wildlife poaching across Southern Africa. Along the way, I’ve taken coursework in regenerative farming and beekeeping, and forest school philosophy, learning from Mother Earth and the stewards who care for her.
Working with children and youth brings me deep joy. I’ve supported after-school science programs in Philadelphia, spoken on panels with youth climate activists, and led local tide pool adventures in search of octopi and abalone in our blue backyard. At nature school, my hope is to honor each child’s creative expression and passions, celebrating our differences and uniqueness just as an ecosystem thrives through biodiversity. I believe nature can be a consistent, comforting presence throughout life, a warm embrace that helps us feel grounded, seen, and deeply loved exactly as we are.
Ms. Lucia
West Heron Nature School Teacher
Hi! I’m Lucia! I’m a bilingual San Diego native with a deep love for learning, people, and place. I studied anthropology and sociology at a liberal arts college in Portland, Oregon, where I spent my time exploring education philosophies and the many ways children make meaning of the world. It was there that I discovered a true passion for education rooted in curiosity, connection, and thoughtful conversation.
I’ve had the joy of working with youth in a variety of enriching settings, including the San Diego Zoo, PAM CUT, and the Portland Art Museum. While at the Portland Art Museum, I developed and led guided tours for K–12 students that centered creative and critical thinking, open dialogue, and meaningful engagement with art. These experiences deepened my appreciation for experiential learning and for creating spaces where children feel seen, inspired, and encouraged to share their ideas.
I am so grateful to be part of the Rad Roots community and am excited to continue learning and growing as an educator here. I look forward to supporting children as they explore, wonder, and connect—with themselves, one another, and the natural world around them.
Ms. Katie
East Coot Nature School Teacher
Hi, I’m Katie. I’m grateful to be a part of the Rad Roots community. I feel most at home outdoors, where learning unfolds through wind, mud, water, and wonder. I believe young children learn best when they are given time, space, and freedom to explore the natural world with all their senses.
I hold a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and Geography from San Luis Obispo. After college, I spent time working on a farm, then followed rivers to Chile as a rafting guide and later to Slovenia as a whitewater kayaking instructor. These adventures shaped my love for hands-on learning and my deep respect for nature as both teacher and classroom.
Each day, I bring this sense of curiosity, care, and joy into my work, supporting children as they explore, grow, and discover the world around them—slowly, playfully, and with muddy hands.