Hayley Leland

Hayley grew up in Charleston, South Carolina, where her childhood was spent outdoors. This fostered a deep appreciation for nature and the environment. Hayley went on to earn a degree in Environmental Science from Brevard College, where she fell in love with the North Carolina mountains. After college, Hayley began her education career in the informal learning space, hiking with kids and leading educational programs at campgrounds, before pursuing a master’s degree in Elementary Education from NC State University.

Hayley then spent 9 years in the classroom where she was able to take her love for nature and getting kids outside and roll it into classroom learning. 

Recently, Hayley expanded her impact by working with a nonprofit dedicated to experiential learning for K–12 students. Now, she is excited to return to the classroom and join the FernLeaf community, where she looks forward to combining her passion for hands-on learning, love of the outdoors, and her commitment to student growth and exploration.