Our Team
Ms. Bianca
Founder & K–3 Teacher
Individual Reading Instruction | History, Geography & Science
Known for her warmth, enthusiasm, and high energy, Bianca believes deeply in the importance of movement throughout the school day. At HVFS, she intentionally blends outdoor exploration with focused indoor academic lessons, creating a balanced learning environment where students feel engaged, supported, and excited to learn.
An avid reader and lifelong learner, Bianca is continually studying child development and researching educational approaches that protect curiosity, foster independence, and support whole-child growth. She holds a Master’s degree in Foreign Policy from Georgetown University and is a certified Forest School Teacher (Levels 1, 2, and 3) through the Forest School Teacher Institute. She is also CPR/First Aid certified.
Bianca is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Elementary Education through the American College of Education. She is passionate about applying her graduate studies directly to her teaching practice and is excited to continue strengthening HVFS’s K–3 programming through thoughtful, research-informed instruction. She is grateful to teach alongside Mr. Kyle, a longtime friend and experienced educator who shares her vision for nature-based elementary education.
Bianca is the founder and director of Hidden Valley Forest School, which she established in April 2022 out of a deep belief that children learn best when they are immersed in nature and given ample opportunities for meaningful play, exploration, and connection. What began as a preschool program has since evolved into a Kindergarten through Third Grade microschool, intentionally designed to support students during these foundational elementary years. HVFS is now in its fourth year of operation.
As both a school leader and classroom teacher, Bianca works closely with students each day, building strong relationships and tailoring instruction to meet individual needs. She provides individualized, one-on-one reading instruction and teaches history, geography, and science using the Core Knowledge curriculum, ensuring students receive a rich, content-based academic foundation alongside hands-on, experiential learning. She views each child as a unique individual who contributes to the community through their interests, ideas, and perspectives.
Mr. Kyle
K-3 Teacher
Math | ELA | Science
Kyle joined Hidden Valley Forest School in June of 2025 and brings a strong background in both outdoor education and elementary classroom teaching. He holds a degree in Elementary Education and is passionate about creating engaging, meaningful learning experiences that meet students where they are developmentally and academically.
Kyle’s passion for teaching began in college, where he spent six months teaching outdoor education to learners ranging from second grade through adulthood. He later gained experience at a Charlottesville-area accredited elementary nature school, where he taught math to students in Kindergarten through Fourth Grade. Kyle has also taught in traditional classroom settings across Second through Fifth grades. These diverse experiences have shaped his ability to design dynamic lessons that blend academic rigor with creativity, movement, and hands-on learning.
At HVFS, Kyle teaches math, English language arts (ELA), and science. He places a strong emphasis on building positive relationships with students, believing that trust and connection are the foundation of a successful learning environment. Kyle enjoys weaving students’ interests into lessons and is known for his sense of humor, big smile, and ability to make learning feel joyful and approachable. (You will also quickly learn that his favorite color is orange.)
Outside of school, Kyle enjoys rock climbing in the Blue Ridge Mountains, playing Dungeons & Dragons, and going for runs. He is excited to continue growing with the HVFS community and feels grateful to be part of a school that values curiosity, connection, and nature-based learning.
Ms. Priya
Substitute Teacher
Ms. Priya is an HVFS parent and mother of three who loves being outdoors. She embraces a whole-child approach to education and loves to see kids thrive in small groups and nontraditional environments. She has a Master’s degree in English Literature from the University of Virginia and experience teaching and tutoring students of various ages. Her time at Teachstone, a Charlottessville-based education company, deepened her understanding of child development and how meaningful teacher-student interactions truly fuel learning.
Ms. Priya loves to explore—whether on long walks, short hikes, small trips, or big international adventures. As such, she is naturally drawn to forest school for its emphasis on discovery and connection with the natural world. In her spare time, she also enjoys reading, writing, cooking, and dabbling in art and music.