TNSM’s head of school, Jeff Groh, was pleased to see Alexis Nelson as a keynote speaker at the American Montessori Society’s National Conference in Denver and wrote:
“One of the biggest highlights for me was knowing one of the keynote speakers was Alexis Nelson—a.k.a. the Black Forager. Alexis is a TNSM alum, and she spoke so fondly of her early experiences here, especially identifying plants in our wooded playgrounds and learning to care for the natural world around her. Alexis Nikole Nelson, is a forager and outdoor educator with over 5 million social media followers. Through engaging, comedic videos, she guides audiences in collecting, identifying, and eating wild food, emphasizing sustainability and accessibility. Nelson’s work, which has earned her accolades including a James Beard Award, goes beyond entertainment by empowering those in food deserts and highlighting overlooked African American and Indigenous food traditions. From seaweed to acorns, her content inspires people to explore the edible world around them, enriching both their palates and the planet.
We’re so proud of Alexis and the way she embodies so many of the values we hold dear as a school. She’s a shining example of how fostering a deep love of nature, encouraging children to follow their joy, and nurturing a spirit of curiosity and entrepreneurship can truly shape a meaningful, purpose-filled life. Seeing one of our former students thrive in such a unique and impactful way is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when children are given the space to explore who they are and what they love.
Alexis showed up so authentically, speaking about our preprimary playground, the trees she named, and she even shared that she was prepared for her talk at the AMS conference because of her 6th grade Senior Project experience at The New School Montessori!”
Ann Baumgardner