Lori grew up in a farming family in southern Georgia where she developed a deep love of plants, animals and the outdoors.  It's only fitting that she would grow up to found a forest school.  She completed her Bachelor of Arts in psychology at the University of Georgia before moving to Atlanta to join the commercial real estate and development industry.  Shortly before the birth of her oldest daughter, she left the corporate world.  As her two daughters, approached school age, Lori discovered her true passion of working with children through the homeschool community.  She has been a homeschool educator and Girl Scout Troop Leader for the past seven years.  She is influenced by the natural elements, artistic expression, and simplicity of Waldorf as well as the practical application of Montessori.  She is a fervent advocate for dyslexia awareness and designed Flora & Fauna as a learning environment in which struggling readers can flourish.   Lori lives with her husband and daughters in Smoke Rise along with their many pets including dogs, a cat, Guinea Pigs and rabbits.   She enjoys long walks in nature and baking with her daughters.  

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Vanessa is a dedicated and passionate educator with a PhD in Integrative Biology. With 14 years of experience teaching at the university level, Vanessa brings a wealth of knowledge and a love for learning to her students. Six years ago, she moved to Georgia and began homeschooling her daughters (9 and 14), discovering a new joy in teaching them and exploring new subjects together.  She creates engaging Anatomy and Physiology curriculum for kids, making complex topics accessible and fun. Her enthusiasm for teaching extends beyond her home through her YouTube channel, where she continues to inspire and educate others about the wonders of the human body. Vanessa is excited to share her expertise and passion for science with your children, fostering a love of learning in every lesson. She believes that by learning more about ourselves, we can make better, healthier decisions for our future. When she's not busy with scientific discoveries, she swaps her lab coat for an artist's smock. Nearly an art major, she channels her creativity into painting, pottery, and charcoal sketches, crafting some stunning masterpieces. Her home is a mini zoo, bustling with a dog, a bird, a duo of leopard geckos, a pair of crested geckos, and a bearded dragon.  Her family shares a special fondness for reptiles.  A select few of their menagerie just may visit for show & tell. 

Bio coming soon!

Katie Anderson, an Atlanta native and Brookwood High School graduate, brings a wealth of experience and a nurturing spirit to our team at Flora & Fauna. She has embraced numerous caregiving roles over the years, including caring for her centenarian grandmother. Katie’s most cherished role is being a mom to her 13-year-old daughter, who was diagnosed with dyslexia in elementary school. She has firsthand experience advocating for literacy, dedicating countless hours to tutoring and navigating the dyslexia remediation process over the elementary to middle school years.  Presently, her daughter is set to begin honors classes in high school in the fall of 2025.  This journey has inspired Katie’s passion for helping struggling readers find their path to literacy.  Her dedication to learning, paired with her compassionate and bubbly personality, makes her an invaluable asset to our program.

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Beyond her work, Katie finds joy in birdwatching, advocating for mental well-being, and embracing her role as a dedicated stage parent to her drama-loving daughter. You’ll often find her at voice lessons, drama practice, or enthusiastically cheering at performances. Whether catching a show at The Fox or cheering on the Braves, Katie’s enthusiasm is infectious. Her ability to connect with both students and colleagues makes her a beloved member of our community, and we are thrilled to have her on our team.

Bio is coming soon!