est.2014
Our story so far…
Connecting to Nature, Ourselves and Each other.
Our Mission
To honor those who came before us by learning how to care for ourselves, each other and our environment.
Our story so far..
Established in 2014 by an Ogden transplant who is an avid outdoor enthusiast and early childhood professional with the goal of creating an environment where children had the space, tools and support to THRIVE. Honeybee began in her home and was a part time preschool program for three years. During that time we had so many passionate and excellent individuals join our team. I joined honeybee at the tail end of their 2015-16 school year and fell in love straight away with the mission of letting nature be our guide.
The founder and myself (Erika- Bio coming soon) decided to pivot our program from a home care center to a fully state licensed care center for the 2017-18 year and I was lucky enough to purchase the rights to Honeybee in December of 2018. Being a state licensed care center allows us to accept state funding for those families that qualify and really changed the game for who we are able to offer care to. From 2018-2020 we operated on the land of a public charter school and learned what it was like to find our own rhythm with the seasons, test out the gear that works best for being a FULLY outdoor program and build some amazing community partnerships.
Early 2020 caused a worldwide shift, honeybee was no exception.. We took to the trails for the duration of lockdown and considered closing our doors. Our current preschool director joined our team in August of 2020 and helped reignite the passion and determination to establish this beautiful outdoor child-led education program.
We have since shifted back in to a home based childcare program that is fully licensed through the state. We operate out of our home base in east ogden as well as out of the trails and parks by our campus.
Honeybee is the first FULLY outdoor program in the state of Utah and is also the longest standing nature school program in the state. Although our program has taken on many different settings our mission has remained strong and our passion for raising strong, curious, creative, respectful children continues!
Honeybees Nature Education Professionals
Shelby Crosby-
Lead Teacher
Shelby Crosby is a teacher who knows how capable children are and works hard to protect and nurture their curious nature – and has a ton of fun doing it. Singing and dancing with the kids at HoneyBee Nature School are highlights of her days. She has a bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies with a Child Life Emphasis from the University of Utah. Shelby recognizes that some of the most impactful learning kids can do comes from their own exploration and ideas. With patience and care, she fosters a safe and respectful environment for children to enjoy while they are at nature school.
Shelby enjoys spending time outdoors, reading and playing roller derby. She believes that kindness is key and works hard to create a sense of community. She invests into positive relationships with the children and their caregivers with trust and communication. Shelby loves being a teacher with HoneyBee Nature School and treats each day as an opportunity to try new things and share gratitude.
Katy Armstron-Aaron -
Lead Teacher
Katy Armstrong is a teacher with enthusiasm for seeing children learn, grow and thrive. She is grateful for the communication and community that HoneyBee Nature School builds between staff and families and works hard to to maintain it. Katy spent 4 years as a Kindergarten Teacher at Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind and 4 years at Utah Work Introduction Network teaching living skills and recreation to blind/visually impaired young adults transitioning to adulthood. She has 5 years experience teaching the Wildlife on Wheels program and was a volunteer youth camp instructor with the Ogden Nature Center. She taught a season of Outdoor Education with YMCA of California and enjoys animal rehabilitation, rockhounding and open-water swimming.
Katy is attentive and observant, with a calm and patient approach to nature school. Through research, professional development, and a willingness to learn, she is dedicated to continuous growth. Katy has an affinity for learning from nature, both through her job as a teacher and her own interests and hobbies.She prioritizes the physical safety and emotional well-being of the children and starts every day with an open mind. Katy enjoys reading, various artistic mediums, making music and dancing.
Allyson Pragovich - Lead Teacher
Allyson Pragovich is a teacher who is proud to not only teach, but learn every day. Allyson has a Bachelors of Science in Education from Illinois State University and a Masters of Arts in Education Teaching and Leadership from Saint Xaiver University. She was a lifeguard and worked at after school programs early in her career and then participated in a teacher study during her senior year of college in first and sixth grade classrooms.She was a teacher’s assistant in a Special Education classroom and a high school dance coach before she became a teacher at Bartonville Grade School, where she taught various grades and subjects for K-6 students, became a cheerleading coach and then transferred to another school as a 5th Grade Language Arts teacher. She was awarded for a Summer reading program she created, was a lead coach to teachers for several years with a positive behavior system committee and took specialized training in supporting students with trauma.
Allyson believes that Honeybee is not a place, but an idea. She is consistently brainstorming and reflecting to come up with new ways to support and uplift the Honeybee families and staff. She enjoys hiking, running, traveling, and dancing. She practices mind and body focus along with the children and fosters mindful experiences throughout the day. Allyson loves that she gets to enjoy the mountains and build connections while at work. She is grateful for the Honeybee community and its ability to make people feel safe, respected and encouraged to be themselves.