Sandhill Forest School Of Livingston County LLC

Our Teachers

Bethany Keskitalo (Owner/Lead Teacher)

Hello! My name is Bethany Keskitalo, and I am the owner and one of the lead teachers at Sandhill Forest School. I am a certified elementary school teacher with an endorsement is social studies. I have always been passionate about a slower paced, more natural education, which is something that traditional schools do not offer at this time. When I had my own children, I became even more interested in respectful and gentle parenting, and I’ve worked hard to incorporate this in our everyday life. I believe that it is really important to nurture the whole child, and allow them to explore and follow their own interests. I also feel that children should be seen AND heard, and be allowed to express themselves, while encouraging mindfulness and helping them develop soft skills.

When I am not teaching, I am momming. When I am not momming, I am listening to my favorite music or podcasts, doing yoga, snuggling my dogs and occasionally catching an episode of The Office, or a mystery.

Miss Lori

Miss Lori is an amazing human being! She is a volunteer for disaster relief programs, has volunteered at Grumlaw church with their children’s programs and summer camps, and was a participant for the World Vision program, where she helped build housing for underprivileged and low socio-economic cities in the United States. She is a dedicated mother and grandmother, and very close with her family. She also believes deeply in mindfulness, and is a yoga instructor; another skill that we are excited to utilize at school!

Miss Lauren

Miss Lauren comes with a wealth of knowledge and experience in the field of education. She has her master’s degree in elementary education, and is a certified nature teacher through the Eastern Region Association of Forest and Nature Schools. We are very excited to have her on board!

Philosophy

Sandhill Forest School in Livingston County, Michigan, embraces a nature-based, child-centered philosophy. We believe that a slower paced, exploration-focused education, combined with mindfulness training, benefits a child’s holistic development. Connecting with nature, celebrating individuality, and nurturing soft skills are integral parts of our approach. We value listening to children, respecting their uniqueness, and fostering their growth from the very start.

Location

We are located in Livingston County Michigan at the Howell Nature Center. We serve Howell, Brighton, Pinckney, Hamburg and surrounding areas.

1005 Triangle Lake Road , Howell, MI 48843

About our program

Sandhill Forest School is the first preschool and homeschool program of it’s kind in the Livingston County area. In a world full of constant stimulation and screen time, we think it’s so important for young minds to take the time to slow down, connect to nature, socialize and explore. We believe in nurturing the whole child, and encouraging and celebrating individual uniqueness. We take a gentle and respectful approach to everything that we do.

Each day, we will meet for a morning meeting to greet each other, and share what is on our minds. We will also discuss and practice mindfulness skills, and introduce the topic of the day. After our meeting, we will apply the topics of our discussions through exploration and cooperative play. There will also be plenty of free play time, where students will have the opportunity to completely lead themselves, as we encourage them and build confidence to discover their own personal interests.

Getting to know each child, and their curiosities, is incredibly important to us. It will help guide our lessons, and make them as authentic and individualized as possible. It will also help us to build real relationships with each child. Ultimately, we will build trust, and become a true team. Studies have shown that positive and respectful relationships between caregivers and children, help them become confident, empathetic and curious learners, but more importantly, people.

Teaching mindfulness is something that is near and dear to our hearts at Sandhill. Being mindful is a skill that people will need and use all of their lives. Teaching it to children is particularly impactful, because it will instill this way of thinking as they grow and mature. Being mindful helps a person become more aware of themselves and their feelings. They will begin to understand how to listen to their brains and bodies to understand what they need. They will also learn how to be aware of the emotions of others, growing empathy and compassion for other people, animals and the environment. 

We have so much natural beauty in Livingston county, and it is so important for children to connect to the natural world. With the amount of screentime, and constant stimulation that children are getting in this day and age, it is even more important for them to slow down and get outside. We really think that there is a balance that can be met between the modern, tech-filled world, and the natural world. Screens aren’t bad, but screens can be easily over-used (I am even guilty of this with my own children). By allotting young children the time to unplug, explore, get dirty, and just be kids with other kids, it really allows them to truly find their individuality, and helps their beautiful little brains process the world around them in a different, more creative and fulfilling way. At the same time, they are learning how to socialize with other tiny humans!

Admissions

Join the Sandhill Forest School Of Livingston County LLC community in three easy steps:

1. Explore our website We’ve provided information about our philosophies and offerings to help you decide if our program may be right for your family.
2. Schedule a phone call Let’s chat more about our program and the questions you may have. We can also schedule a tour! Message us on the Wonderschool app!
3. Submit an Enrollment Application If you’re interested in enrolling, submit an application by selecting Apply to enroll. Please do not apply to enroll until you have set up a phone call and/or tour