Guénaëlle Maria, Forest Days Leader

Guénaëlle’s Swiss alpine roots have always connected her to nature’s splendor, a passion that fuels her work as an educator.

She joined BOPN in 2024, bringing over 15 years of experience designing and leading hands-on, nature-focused programming for children.

Guénaëlle’s professional journey includes impactful roles at The New England Aquarium, Land’s Sake Farm, Discovery Creek Children’s Museum, and right here at the Arnold Arboretum as a Field Study Guide.

A proud graduate of Prescott College in Arizona—whose motto, “nature is our classroom,” resonates deeply with her philosophy—Guénaëlle believes in fostering curiosity and exploration, while giving children the space to discover on their own. She champions immersive, nature-based experiences that encourage supported risk-taking, helping children build confidence, teamwork, and problem-solving skills essential for life.

In her free time, Guénaëlle enjoys giving big hugs to her 7-year-old son and perfecting her bread-baking skills—though she’s still working to make a loaf that isn’t as hard as a hockey puck!

Previous
Previous

Carrie Thordarson, Toddler Connections Teacher

Next
Next

Sasha Coelho, Toddler Connections Teacher