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WELCOME TO WONDER WORKSHOP

About

ABOUT

Wonder Workshop (a program provided by Childhood Wonder, LLC) offers families flexible before and after school care, designed to ease children into and out of their day with intention and joy.

 

Each Wonder Workshop program is thoughtfully structured to give children space to rest and recharge alongside time for creative, imaginative play and hands-on learning. A dedicated teacher leads a rotating lineup of enriching activities, with each session spotlighting a different area of learning so children always have something new and exciting to look forward to.

Childhood Wonder partners with schools to bring Wonder Workshop to life, tailoring the program to fit each school's unique environment and schedule.

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WHAT ARE WE LEARNING?

Wonder Workshop afternoons bring a rotating cast of subjects to life, giving children something fresh to look forward to each day. A dedicated teacher leads each session, with a different area of focus every afternoon.

Curriculum includes:

 

  • Music

  • Art

  • Spanish

  • Science experiments

  • STEAM

  • Gardening

  • Storytelling and theater

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"Before Wonder Workshop, I was constantly trying to piece together different activities to make sure my son was getting exposure to art, music, science, all of it. Now it's all in one place. He comes home having done a science experiment one day and gardening the next, and I don't have to coordinate a thing. He loves it, and I can tell he's actually learning. It's been such a relief to find one program that does so much."

- Eleanor, Parent

INSTRUCTORS

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WONDER WORKSHOP DIRECTOR

Susan Desmond

Susan was born on the Texas Gulf Coast and raised throughout the Southeast, spending much of her youth and adult life in the mountains of North and Central Alabama. She earned a bachelor's degree in Sociology and English from the University of Montevallo and later completed her Montessori Teaching Credential. She joined the team in 2022 and now serves as Director of Enrollment and Development, where she is passionate about fostering meaningful connections between children, nature, and community. With more than 18 years of experience as a Montessori guide and nature educator, Susan brings a deep understanding of child development, individualized learning, and nurturing the whole child. She strongly believes in environmental stewardship and is committed to helping the next generation learn how to care for our planet. She firmly believes in Dr. Maria Montessori's words-“A child needs to live naturally and not simply have a knowledge of nature.”

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LEAD TEACHER

Rebecca Garcia

Rebecca grew up in North Georgia, where she enjoyed spending time in the Blue Ridge Mountains and playing in the creeks and woods. As a mom herself, she has found giving children the opportunity to explore the natural world around them very important. She began volunteering with Nature Connect in 2024 through the summer camps and homeschool enrichment programs and is excited to step into her new role with Wonder Workshop. When she's not at school, Rebecca loves baking, knitting, and being in nature with her son.

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TEACHER

Emily Chinal

Emily grew up in the Pacific Northwest where her fondest memories are of spending time outside exploring nature and gardening with her mother. Her family moved to Louisiana where she graduated from Saint Scholastica Academy. Her time spent golfing with her father as a child and into high school, sparked her interest in a career where she could spend most of her time outside. She later moved to Fairhope and obtained her degree in Sports Marketing & Event Management from South Alabama. As a mother, she now enjoys spending her free time with her husband and children at their property in Loxley where they garden, have honeybees, and create memories together.

Enjoying the beauty of nature and teaching are her passion.

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TEACHER

Samantha Frey

Samantha grew up in south Florida, where she spent every moment she could exploring the swamps, forests, and beaches near her home. When she was eleven years old, her family bought a house on Lake Logan Martin in Pell City, Alabama. Samantha enjoyed spending all her time on the water - boating, fishing, swimming, and kayaking. She helped homeschool her younger siblings, which led her to become a preschool teacher. Samantha loves to garden and raise chickens.

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TEACHER

Ceil Striplin

Bio to come...

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TEACHER

Marsha Chinal

Bio to come...

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LEAD TEACHER

Laura Martins

Bio to come...

CONTACT

You can also contact us by using this form:

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