Our Team

Christy Zolty — Advisor (she, her)

Christy has a Masters degree in Early Childhood Education from Hunter College, and has been certified by Cedarsong Nature School, based outside Seattle, WA. Christy has taught and learned from some of the best schools throughout Brooklyn and Manhattan, including The Blue School, Community Roots Charter School, The Co-Op School, and Maple Street School.

Christy spent a few years at Brooklyn Nature Days and helped it grow into one of the most successful Forest Schools in the country. At Brooklyn Nature Days, Christy was a head teacher, leading an average class size of 16 students with 3 assistant teachers, and worked closely with the founder to help improve and grow the program. She then started Maplewood Outside School after she and her family relocated to the SOMA area.

She is a New York Master Naturalist (level 2) through Cornell University’s Cooperative Extension and an Environmental Steward through Rutgers University Cooperative Extension. She currently serves as the Co-Chair for the Chapter Initiative, as well as the Co-Chair for the NJ Chapter of the Eastern Regional Association of Forest Schools (ERAFANS). Christy joined the South Mountain Conservancy in 2018 as a trail keeper, is a Coordinator of the Forest Regeneration Corps and oversees the Wildflower Preserve. She gained her Waldorf Early Childhood Teaching Certificate through Sunbridge Institute in 2022.

Natalia Naranjo — Director (she, her)

A proud Queens native, Natalia earned her B.A. in Psychology with a concentration in Student Services & Counseling from CUNY Queens College. After graduating, she took a leap of faith into Public Relations and Marketing, working at two entertainment start-ups. However, her passion for education soon led her to pursue an M.A. in Higher Education Administration and Student Affairs at New York University.

Before joining Maplewood Outside School, Natalia dedicated her career to higher education, championing social justice through scholarship, service, and global citizenship. Her love for education took a new turn in 2018 when she enrolled her daughter at Outside School. Watching her child thrive in the forest-learning environment, she knew she had found something special. It wasn’t long before she joined the adventure herself!

Veronica Grande — Pre-School Teacher (she, her)

Veronica attended SUNY Buffalo where she received a BA in Environmental Studies. After graduating her life took her to New York City where she worked as an Administrative Assistant for Investment Bankers then as an Account Administrator for a Gallery. Her passion for the outdoors lead her to join the MOS team in 2018. Veronica is Certified in Pediatric First Aid and CPR. When not teaching in the Forest you will find Veronica running the reservation trails, on road trips for her daughters soft ball games or walking one of her four legged friends.

Caitlin Plaveczky — Preschool Teacher (she, her)

Caitlin graduated from Rutgers University with a BA in English and a minor in Art History. After having two children of her own, she began bringing them to play in the forest on a daily basis to enjoy and learn about nature. Caitlin was then hired to watch other children, who she also brought into the woods to learn and play. Through this time, it became clear to her that teaching children in and about nature was her true passion.

When not working at Maplewood Outside School, Caitlin can be found hiking with her sons, reading, going to the beach, and spending time with her family in Lake George. Caitlin is thrilled to continue sharing her love for the outdoors with children as a member of the MOS team.

Lacey Buccellato - Atelier (she, her)

Lacey has been creating joy filled art experiences for children of all ages. In 2017 she set up an art studio for children where they have an opportunity to explore and create some amazing works of art. She resides in Maplewood with her three boys and husband. You can explore her studio at Oh! Canary.