I’m Lindsay Gkolomeev, founder of The Wild School. I grew up right here in Houston and earned my bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama where I was a national level college athlete. After meeting and marrying my husband, who is Greek, we’ve spent much of our married life living between the U.S. and Europe. Living in that very different world taught me so much about what childhood can look like.
It was about ten years ago, abroad that I first came across forest schools and outdoor preschools. These are approaches that have flourished in Europe for generations, rooted in the simple truth that children grow best when they’re given space to play, explore, and learn by doing. Seeing how deeply these communities honor childhood changed everything for me.
When I became pregnant with my son, it all hit home. I knew this type of experience was exactly what I wanted for him, an upbringing that respected who he was, let him move at his own pace, and gave him a living, breathing connection to the world around him. But I quickly realized how rare programs like this are here in the U.S. so I decided that if I couldn’t find it, I would create it.
I poured myself into learning, completing extensive training in forest and nature-based education across different countries. I wanted to bring this magic not only to my son, but to children right here where I grew up.
Today, I’m a certified nature-based educator with 16 years of experience working with children. At The Wild School, we thoughtfully shape our curriculum around key developmental goals, weaving them into a beautiful daily rhythm that’s centered on nature connection, immersive learning, mindfulness, gratitude, creativity, and truly meaningful play. Children spend their days outdoors exploring, building friendships, solving problems, and growing a deep sense of wonder and belonging all while developing the skills that matter most for life.
Of course, I’m just the one who started it. The heart of The Wild School is our incredible team. Together, our educators bring over 100 years of experience, from Texas certified teachers to early childhood specialists. They’re all extensively trained in our approach and absolutely love what they do and it shows in how they care for your children every single day.
I can honestly say I have never believed in anything more deeply in my life. It gives me such peace to know we’re able to offer an experience like this to children in our community and to let them grow up in the way they were meant to. It’s what drives me to keep moving forward, and it’s the greatest motivation I could ever have.
