Our Mission

Firefly Forest School provides meaningful and immersive nature-based learning experiences for the children of Southeast Michigan through enrichment programming at nature preserves in the metro Detroit area.

We believe that childhood is a time of exploration, discovery, curiosity, and wonder, and that there is no better classroom than the natural world.

We believe that a good enrichment program is a space for families to build community, for children to ignite their sense of wonder and love of learning, and for all of us to help in creating a better world for the next generation.

firefly0015.jpg

Our Staff

firefly0024 (1).jpg

Bailey Lininger, Director

Bailey is the director and owner of Firefly Forest School, and connecting children to nature is her life’s work. Born and raised in the suburbs of Detroit, Bailey has been playing in the creeks and forests of this area since she was a little kid herself! Bailey has over fifteen years of experience in childcare and ten years of experience in experiential, environmental, and early childhood education. She holds a Master’s of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Washington and a Bachelor’s of Arts in Environmental Humanities from Whitman College. She has worked as a Lead Preschool Teacher at Small Wonders School, a Camp Director at Tamarack Camps, an Educator at IslandWood, and as the the Program Coordinator at Detroit Bird Alliance. Bailey holds a Wilderness First Responder certification from the National Outdoor Leadership School and has maintained this certification for over ten years, in addition to Infant, Child, and Adult CPR/AED. She is an active member of the Michigan Association of Environmental and Outdoor Education and the North American Association for Environmental Education. When she isn’t playing outside, Bailey likes to cook, bake, garden, and sew. She lives in an old green farmhouse in Ferndale with her husband, two sons, and dog.

 

Ashley Damaske,
Lead Teacher

Ashley finds endless inspiration and joy in working with children and she feels most at home outside in nature. As a lifelong learner herself, she is continuously curious about the natural world, and eager to explore. Graduating from Eastern Michigan University with a degree in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education has led her to work as a Lead preschool teacher in a Reggio-inspired public school program, a Waldorf parent-child educator and her most gratifying venture, raising her two beautiful children (one of which is a Firefly Grad!)

Some of Ashley’s favorite past times are visiting parks and restaurants in the Detroit area, spending time in the backyard with her husband and kids, listening to podcasts, tending to her greenhouse plants and book club reading.

 

Kirstin Hoffman,
Lead Teacher

After graduating from the University of Michigan School of Education, Kirstin began her teaching career in Detroit, where she taught 1st grade. Here she found a love for environmental education- which led her to work at her hometown's Outdoor Education Center. She enjoyed the beauty of connecting students with nature through exploration and curiosity. She has spent the last four years teaching at a Forest School in Miami. She is passionate about child-led learning and excited to continue growing as a teacher amongst Michigan flora and fauna. In her free time, Kirstin loves outdoor activities like rollerblading, swimming, biking, and gardening. 

 

Emily Rock,
Lead Teacher

Coming from a Reggio Emilia Forest School in Southern California, Emily has spent the last two years leading classes at lagoons, beaches, and park preservations throughout San Diego. She has 9 years of experience in various forms of informal education from before/after school programs, daycare/preschools, day camps, as well as residential camps in Julian, California. She holds a degree in English Literature from Cal Poly Pomona. Learning through play is a lifestyle that Emily enthusiastically embraces, and in her free time she enjoys painting, baking, and playing her ukulele.