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How it started...

After more than a decade studying and working in the field of Child Development, founder and lead teacher Ragon Ralston left a public school teaching position to open We Grow Wildlings.

 

In hopes of creating an educational program that offered truly developmentally appropriate, child-led experiences in outdoor environments, she forged a relationship with Boyd Hill Nature Preserve and in January 2024 Wildlings Forest School classes began twice weekly. 

It was a success! Word began to spread and the twice-weekly classes quickly grew as we found

kindred spirits in the wild families who registered their children to attend. Things went so well in fact, that connections were formed with other local parks and preserves, allowing for Wildlings classes

to resume at five days a week starting Fall 2024!

Keep reading below to learn more about the original Wildling, Ms. Ragon. 

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Ragon Ralston

Founder & Lead Teacher

Hi! I'm Ragon, a native St. Petersburger and a longtime lover of all things wild and free.

 

I'm the mother of a beautiful and precocious wildling of my own and am a one-woman show trying to learn how to run a business while juggling all the other complexities

of modern life. When I'm not teaching forest school classes, being a mama to my son, or exploring the outdoors, you can catch me bartending at the favorite local family-friendly brewery, 3Daughters

 

For as long as I can remember I've loved being around children. In high school, I chose

to earn my volunteer hours at the YMCA daycare center and of course, my first "job" was babysitting. However, it wasn't until I took an intro to child development class in college that the fire for early education was really lit within me. Once I learned how crucial the first eight years of life are, and how the right supports and experiences can set a child up for success, I knew it was what I would spend my life striving to do. 

So off I went!

 

I spent years earning various certificates and degrees in early childhood education, worked in both private and public school settings, taught kids yoga and art classes, and even opened up a gym-based childcare center within the former Body Electric Athletic Company. After spending the last few years teaching Kindergarten through Second Grade at local public schools, I am thrilled to be building this business into a school I believe in wholeheartedly. 

Want to know more? Send me an email!

I'm happy to answer any questions you may have.  

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