The Mandys
That's right, Fish Hawk Friends Playgroup is the brainchild of two Mandys.
Greetings friends, I'm Mandy VK. Former educator turned homeschooling mother of three, nature enthusiast, and slow-living advocate. From very early on, I have had a great love for the natural world. After earning my bachelor’s in Biology with a minor in Environmental Issues, I worked in a lab as a water tester of local waterways. Some years later I decided to go back to school to get my Master’s in education, so I could teach Science and share my passion for nature with bright young minds, in hopes of inspiring a love of learning and curiosity in a new generation! After getting married and starting a family, I decided to leave teaching to stay home with my little loves. At least during those precious early years. When the pandemic hit, we were among those that decided to temporarily homeschool until things returned to “normal”. But we fell in love with it and decided to continue! Our kids lit up with excitement for learning, and the opportunity for more unstructured play and exploration through arts and seasonal rhythms has allowed them to flourish. It has been magical, and we want to share that magic with you! Fish Hawk Friends will provide open-ended outdoor play (and learning!), offering opportunities for your child to light up with curiosity, and to grow a love for exploring the wonders of our world!
Hello from Mandy S. I’ve always loved working with preschool-aged children, with a particular passion in fostering open-ended play and connections with nature. In my pre-mama life I was a Reggio Emilia-inspired early childhood educator, atelierista (art teacher), and preschool director with a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from my home country of Australia.
These days I put those passions to work as a homeschooling mum to my three kids (12, 8, and almost 6) and running a small business (Curated Playspaces) with my husband Thomas. We bought our home #fishhawkhouse, set on a beautiful 1-acre property perched by the Chesapeake Bay, in 2020 and I knew then I wanted to find a way to share it with others.
We’ve spent the last four years pouring ourselves into making our home and backyard a private oasis with our children always in the forefront of our mind. My dreams are big and never ending (we’re excited to welcome chickens in April and have plans for our own recirculating stream), and I’m excited to be in a place now where we can open it up to share with others. I’ve been planning this playgroup for the last two years, and with Mandy VK by my side, we are making it a reality this spring!