Meet the Staff

Erin Houlihan

Erin has worked with children for most of the 45 years of her life. She strives to create spaces where others can flourish and be themselves. She believes in the essential gift of play for people of all ages and all abilities. On her journey as a teacher in the Montessori and Waldorf environment, Erin has found kinship in this work with the outdoors. It is outside where we can find great beauty, challenge, solace, and freedom to not only run, but also connect ourselves to the elements of the Earth, and the gifts they can share. It is her life’s passion to do this work with families, and continue to see Education with fresh eyes, meeting the needs of children with the needs of the time. When not outside romping around the woods with the kids or building fires, she continues to find her edge so that she too can be learning and growing. Working in the realm of children is truly an honor. She continues to explore how she can be an Elder to our youth and help guide them with wisdom and equip them with skills into a world filled with much challenge and joy.

Erin is the Program Co-Director, Woods Guide, and Board Member.

You can reach Erin at ehoulihan@humbleoak.org

Jodie Janovec

Within my 48 years on this planet, I have had a multitude of diverse work experiences and teachings that have culminated into my current role as an educator at Violet Glen. My focus is growing the fiber handwork and related component of the program and supporting the humble beginnings of Humble Oak with a group of passionate and dedicated individuals. I’m mutually passionate about growing food though my concurrent work at theTurtle Creek Gardens biodynamic farm. I find great joy at the farm sowing seeds and tending to the young seedlings and plants in the greenhouse. As for my collective educational background and training, in 1999, I received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and an Environmental Resources certificate from Kansas State University. Years passed, and I now find myself with my family of four in Southeastern Wisconsin, an area of natural beauty that I hold dear in my heart. In my time here, I have furthered my education by participating in the Lifeways Early Childhood Training program in 2012, and I was certified by the North American Biodynamic Farming Association within its Apprenticeship program in 2018. Career-wise, I have worked as a fresh-cut flower farmer, and a Waldorf-based childcare provider. In 2019, I launched Alice Hall Fiber Designs, LLC, a business which I oversee to market my unique, handmade, felted wool garments/accessories. My art is inspired by the designs, patterns, and colors of the natural world. I am merging my passions for and knowledge of art, nature, and, of course, education. Along with my husband, raising two sons has allowed me to further realize the importance of the educational gifts and personal-growth opportunities that the natural world has to offer. It is truly beautiful to see young children learn how to better interact with peers, themselves, and with the world around them through projects, arts, games, and exploration within nature. It is my job as an educator to foster this learning and to teach children that being you is the only thing that you can be.

Jodie is the Administrative Co-Director , Beaver and Hawks Guide, Board Member and Folk School Co-Director.

You can reach Jodie at jodiejanovec@humbleoak.org

Monica Storey

Mo has been guiding at Humble Oak since 2022. She believes in the magic of play, the wonder and curiosity of childhood, and the deep relationships that grow between children and the land.

She loves bringing song and stories into our days, learning about the plants growing all around us, and finding new ways to create with her hands. An enthusiastic dabbler in just about everything, Mo is always eager to learn something new, trade skills, and share inspiration with her community. Her current obsession is lino printing (and if you need supplies for your next hobby, she can probably hook you up!).

A mother of three, Mo enjoys spending time outdoors with her family, tending her garden, photography, and connecting with her community. She finds joy in the changing seasons and the many ways they invite us to slow down, notice the beauty around us, and nurture a sense of care and reciprocity with the living world.

Mo is a Beaver Guide.

You can reach Mo at mostorey@humbleoak.org

Danika Talbot

Danika arrives at Humble Oak with diversified experiences in teaching settings from public, private, and independent schools to developing her own curriculum at an organic vegetable farm and woodland settings. She believes the first seven years of life are the most critical. Danika has found her niche as an outdoor educator spending time guiding young children in the wonders of nature. She is passionate about the outdoors and its healing effects. Being outside in nature builds resiliency and reverence for the world. Danika is honored to join the supportive Humble Oak tribe and begin this new adventure in stewardship of the land.

Danika is a Squirrel Guide.

You can reach Danika at danika@humbleoak.org

Destiny Skubis

Destiny has a passion for serving children and families. She has spent many years as a lead teacher in early childhood and has served families closely in birth to end of life. She believes every person deserves relationship based care and an opportunity to explore their innate wisdom, though finds this especially important for the young child. Destiny enjoys time in nature, traveling, writing, and has a strong love for her family and donuts.

Destiny is the Administrative Support Specialist.

You can reach Destiny at destiny@humbleoak.org

Kelly Emanuelson

Kelly has long believed that the most profound classroom and teacher is nature. Her personal and professional journey have been a continuous exploration of learning, healing, and growing in relationship with the world around us. She has experience as an elementary and special education teacher in both private and public school settings. Teaching ignited her passion to foster a lifelong love of learning for herself and others. She has also served as a therapeutic recreation counselor, dog obedience class tainer, swim lesson instructor, and karate sensei. These experiences have deepened her understanding of the restorative power of play and purposeful movement. She is a grateful mother to a son and a daughter. Becoming a mother grounded her professional practices in the messy, beautiful reality of nurturing a new generation. Kelly enjoys reading, hiking, visiting and supporting local businesses, exploring museums, going to the theatre, gardening, baking, singing, and spending time with family and friends. She also likes foraging and learning about the flora and fauna, with a special interest in spiders and fungi. Kelly is honored to have the opportunity to serve at Humble Oak and to weave together her passions, experiences, and skills to support the collective's mission and vision.

Kelly is a Squirrel Guide.

You can reach Kelly at kelly@humbleoak.org

Colin Treiber

The woods have been a friend and teacher for Colin since early childhood. As a boy he loved nothing more than building forts in the nearby forests with the neighborhood gang. As a young man he spent much of his time hiking and climbing around hills and mountains, small and large. And, as an adult, he has continually returned to the forest to receive more of its endless gift; the soul nurturing experience of nature and season.

Colin has spent most of his adult life working with and in nature from a variety of positions and perspectives, including: wildland restoration, organic vegetable farming, sprouthouse management, community gardening, coffee roasting, and biodynamic corn breeding. After these many years of work focused in the agricultural realm, he is very grateful to be joining the Humble Oak team. The opportunity to work with youth in such a great setting, and to learn from their openness and curiosity, he believes, is a gift. He hopes to further his love for "tending to smaller things", learned by working with plants (and his eight year old daughter), into a skilled attentiveness for supporting the development of the children at Humble Oak.

Colin is a support to Infrastructure, Grants, Folk School, and Hawk Guide.

You can reach Colin at ctreiber@humbleoak.org

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