Our Staff
Kate Milne
Co-Director of School Operations and Outdoor Learning
Before coming to Crooked Pines School, Kate spent the past ten years first as the Director of Provider Relations for TimberNook, then as the Director and Lead Educator of Wild Tides Learning Community. Kate’s educational background and breadth of work are in the fields of early childhood education and outdoor programming. She holds a BA from the University of New Hampshire, and a ECE teaching certificate from the College of Lifelong Learning. Kate has over 35 years of experience working in the field as a teacher, youth recreation leader, outdoor programming creator, trainer and director. Her work at Crooked Pines School combines her creative spirit, love for children and passion for learning in an outdoor environment.
Kate is the mother of three, a 25-year member of the same neighborhood book group, an exercise enthusiast and a dabbler in artistic endeavors. Her happy place is camping on a remote island in Maine with her children.
Wendy Bazemore
Co-Director of School Operations and Outdoor Learning
Wendy has been immersed in early childhood and nature based education since receiving her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and Psychology from the University of Maine. Her journey over the past thirty years has guided her to become an ardent supporter of learning within nature. She fosters space for children to discover, problem solve, build resilience and confidence, and create a community connection and collaboration.
Her time outside of the beautiful farm and forest school of Crooked Pines is spent with family and friends. Her love for nature extends beyond the woods to paddleboarding and spending time in and around local lakes and oceans. She and her husband Darryl and dog Koda spend many days throughout the year soaking in time at their cottage in New Hampshire.
Bella Farren
Art Enrichment / Substitute
Bella holds a BA from Colby College in Maine with a concentration in the Fine Arts. She is currently pursuing a Master of Fine Arts at the Savannah College of Art and Design, working toward becoming an art teacher. Bella is passionate about nurturing creativity in children and loves helping young artists explore and express themselves through art.
Outside of the classroom, you can find Bella spending time with her family and animals in Kennebunk. She enjoys painting around the Maine coast, gardening, practicing archery, and fly fishing.
Jessica Gatts
Substitute
Jess Gatts is an Ohio native who moved to Maine with her family in 2023. Jess and her husband Geoff share three children: Isaac (age 7), Maeve (age 5) and Ophelia (age 4). Growing up, she spent time camping and hiking with family and this love of nature continues through her young family.
Before starting a family, Jess taught in the public school systems in Chicago and Columbus, was an Academic Advisor at OSU and taught at a child-led, play-based preschool in Columbus. Jess earned her B.A. in Spanish and Psychology in 2008 and her M.Ed. in 2010.