Meet Our Team

Leaders of the Homeschool Nature Center

Meet Cana Sarnes

Cana is an imaginative and energetic educator/ counselor passionate about fostering curiosity, exploration, and connection. She believes that learning thrives when children are trusted to follow their interests, engage with nature, and discover knowledge on their own terms.

With a background in counseling and a passion for nature-based education, Cana is dedicated to creating inclusive, child-led learning environments. Holding a bachelor's in psychology, a minor in art, and a master's in education in school counseling, she began her career implementing restorative justice and somatic techniques as a school counselor, witnessing firsthand the benefits of holistic support. She empowers neurodiverse individuals by fostering safe spaces where their strengths are recognized and nurtured.

As Jacob’s Ladder Rescue’s Nature Homeschool Leader, Cana’s role is not to instruct but to hold space, provide gentle guidance, and support the incredible minds within this community as they uncover the lessons nature has to offer. She is dedicated to inclusive, anti-oppressive education, creating environments where learning is a shared experience rather than a top-down exchange. She believes education flourishes when children are trusted to follow their interests, ask questions, and engage with the world on their own terms. At Jacob’s Ladder Rescue Forest Homeschool Co-op, children are not just students—they are explorers, creators, and teachers in their own right.

Meet Chris Hammes

Chris is a creative and resourceful educator who believes learning is most meaningful when it is connected to discovery, play, and collaboration.  With a background in art, fabrication, public projects, and teaching, he brings an imaginative perspective, centering curiosity and exploration in outdoor and group learning environments.

As an interdisciplinary artist, Chris has designed and built spaces that nurture healing, creativity, and resilience—from transforming vacant lots into community hubs to creating public works centered on peace, nonviolence, and belonging. His work reflects a commitment to supporting individuals navigating challenges through creative problem-solving.

Chris teaches at Tyler School of Art and Moore College of Art and Design, where he emphasizes process, experimentation, and care as central to learning.  As a Nature Club Facilitator Assistant, Chris brings this same spirit of curiosity and inclusivity, encouraging children to learn from nature and from each other.

Meet Ashlee Lloyd

Ashlee is a stay home mom with a passion for educating about conservation needs along the Delaware Bayshore. She spends her free time enjoying wildlife near and far with a strong interest in protecting bald eagles, osprey, horseshoe crabs, and fox in NJ. She is a dedicated volunteer with several nonprofits such Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ, NJ Raptor Alliance and The American Littoral Society. 

 

Meet Henry Fordyce

Henry has professional, academic, and volunteer experience in outdoor education. He holds a Bachelor's of Science from Colorado State University in Natural Resources, Recreation & Tourism. He holds certifications in environmental education from Project Learning Tree, Project Wild, and the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. He volunteered as a crew member with the Student Conservation Association in Haleakala National Park. Henry has also worked as a park ranger and an interpreter in Boulder and Larimer Counties in Colorado. He led student work crews with the Larimer County Youth Conservation Corps in Rocky Mountain National Park. Henry values safety and has held Wilderness First Aid, First Responder, and Basic Life Support certificates.

Henry has been instrumental with child-led exploration and learning, and augments each adventure with teaching tools from his extensive background.

 

Board of Directors

Carol Brozosky, Founder and CEO of
Jacob’s Ladder Rescue, Inc.

Carol is a retired business owner where she provided EHS training and consulting for over 30 years.

​Woven in this journey, Carol has a long history with works of charity and volunteering, ranging from: leading mission trips to impoverished countries in Central America, disaster response training and team deployment with UMCOR, feeding and clothing homeless and those afflicted with substance abuse in Camden and Kensington.  She advocates for children with disabilities of all kinds, including neurodiversity, and is passionate about their health, safety and happiness.  She has served as a volunteer entertaining clown and VBS storyteller since 2008.

Carol serves on the End Seclusion and Restraint Alliance in NJ, and sits on the Board of Directors for NJ VOAD (Volunteers Aiding in Disaster).

Valerie is an elementary music teacher and neurodivergent parent of two neurodivergent children.  She earned her graduate certificate from Butler University's Applied Educational Neuroscience program and is continuing her education in Trauma.  Val has been invited to speak about trauma-informed education, neurodiversity-affirming practices, and the neuroscience of behavior.  She is the Book Study Coordinator for the national Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint, and volunteers for End Seclusion and Restraint NJ (EndSaR NJ) and PDA North America.  Val is working with
Jacob's Ladder to help create
programs that are inclusive for all brains! 

Val Luther

Allison Mason

Allison currently works in the public school system but her real passion is serving the needs of others.  For the past 8 years, Allison has volunteered with the disenfranchised on the streets of Camden and Kensington, serving those in need by providing food and clothing, support and resources, and offering friendship. She is an integral part of JLR with public relations and obtaining
resources to bring its vision to life.

Jess Schriver

Jess grew up and still lives in South Jersey. She earned her BA and MA in English from Rutgers-Camden, then went on to earn her doctorate in Childhood Studies there. Her research focused on nature and childhood in the public library. Today, Jess is a member of the Editorial & User Support Team at arXiv and is raising her son, Ferris, with husband Paul, here in Gloucester County.

Deana M. Rachuba-Shultz, Esq., CPA

Deana is a tax professional with over 25 years of experience. As the owner of her DRS Law she has worked with many different businesses, non-profits and individuals.  Deana holds a law degree from Widener University and an accounting degree from Rowan University and is a licensed attorney and CPA. She is dedicated to helping her community and has served on boards such as the Kingsway Regional Band Boosters as well as a
youth basketball coach.

Sign up to be a volunteer!

We are seeking assistance with…….

  • maintaining our homeschool nature center site

  • maintaining walking trails

  • developing presentations for homeschool learning topics

If you are seeking a volunteer job, please contact us. Great opportunity for highschoolers and college students.