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Contributors
Unless otherwise specified, all articles and
reviews on this site were written The information however wouldn't be what it is were it not for the influence and insights of a good many friends and teachers over the years. I do specifically want to thank Annie Castle Deckert and Mary Sweeney, both instructors from U.C. Santa Cruz Extension for their inspiration and guidance about the importance of developmentally appropriate education -- and the importance of giving children time to do the inner work of growing up and growing wise. Various portions of this site were also inspired by or contributed to by Earth's Kids junior staff members Michelle, Gabbi, and Brian who bring a kid's special perspective as well as their own unique interests.
About Our Director Earth's Kids Director Linnaea Avenell was born in Santa Cruz, California where she grew up with an entire redwood forest as her backyard. She credits long hours playing under the trees for her ongoing affinity with wild creatures and the spiritual value of time spent in nature. She attended U.C. Santa Cruz where she graduated in 1987 with a B.A. in (cultural) Anthropology. She moved to Silicon Valley after graduation where she floundered about before being drafted by VirusScan creator and McAfee Associates founder John McAfee as his first paid on-site staff person. Here she learned that a degree in Anthropology led one to a very brief but fascinating career as a computer virus consultant. Linnaea's next gig was motherhood-- which she would later assert, is the hardest (but most transformative) job there is. In the midst of raising three children, Linnaea later completed two years of training in pastoral counseling, graduating as an Associate Minister. Her volunteer work with young children led to a passion for helping children tap into their gifts and for helping parents make the most of family life, and especially the early childhood years. She obtained her certificate in Early Childhood Education from the U.C. Santa Cruz Extension, and was mentored by U.C. instructor Mary Sweeney, through whom she became involved in the Toddler and Me program. Linnaea has since worked as a spiritual healer and has taught and directed youth spiritual education, preschool, as well as parent education. In addition to serving as the driving force behind Earth's Kids, Linnaea is currently a teacher, a home schooling parent, and a professional writer who freelances for a popular online encyclopedia project. In her spare time she designs websites, putters in her garden, pampers the family bunnies, and plays at creating anything she can think of.
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