We are pleased to introduce our team, composed of a varied group of professionals and board members, each contributing a wealth of experience and expertise. Our collective backgrounds enable us to drive innovation and achieve success. We invite you to learn more about the dedicated individuals who are committed to advancing our mission and ensuring excellence in all that we do.
Executive Director
Teacher
Samantha Wayland
Samantha taught kindergarten after attending the University of Missouri, earning a bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education. Blending her two passions, young children and the outdoors, was the starting point for Mountain Sprouts Learning.
Program Director
Teacher
Tiffany Smith
Tiffany has an educational background in psychology and 5+ years of experience as an outdoor guide. She is enthusiastic about childhood development and believes play in nature is crucial to children’s learning and growth.
Teacher
Avery Lumsden
With an educational foundation in environmental economics and sustainability, coupled with extensive childcare experience as a nanny and au pair, Avery brings a unique perspective to Mountain Sprouts Learning. Avery prioritizes compassionate guidance and imaginative play when working with children, helping them develop confidence, emotional intelligence, and a deep love and curiosity for the natural world.
Board Chair
Caroline Tucker
A Long Creek transplant, Caroline fell in love with the area in 2020 and has since put down permanent roots. She has spent much of her vocational history working in outdoor and experiential education and feels passionately about providing kids the opportunity to explore the natural world.
Board Vice Chair
Rozalyn Stipe
Rozalyn grew up in an outdoor oriented family that fostered a longstanding love for spending time outdoors, which inspired her 20-plus year career in the outdoor industry. She and her husband are currently sharing their passion for the outdoors, along with the valuable experiences and lessons it brings, with their son.
Board Treasurer
Christa Wilson
Christa is a passionate advocate for early childhood education and environmental stewardship. She has a background in nonprofit administration, and she brings a deep commitment to fostering a love of the outdoors in young children while striving for sustainable and efficient operations.
Board Secretary
Ryan Dale
Ryan is an outdoor enthusiast who has lived in the Longcreek area for a majority of the last 15 years. He loves exploring the local landscape on foot, by boat, or on a bike but loves his family more.
Board Member
Cricket Barnett
Cricket Barnett has been working in the outdoor industry for 20 years and believes that outdoor experiences not only provide liveliness and fun but also shape the way people think, learn, and process the world, especially in young children. She is a homeschool Mom of two girls while working with her husband at Life in Long Creek, in Long Creek, South Carolina.
Board Member
Sheri Ruether
I am Dr. Sheri Ruether. I am a kindergarten teacher for Orchard Park Elementary School in Westminster, South Carolina and an adjunct professor in Early Childhood Education for Grand Canyon University.