Our Staff

Meet our incredible team.

Wild Hearts Nature School is thankful to have such an encouraging and joyful team.

They truly put the “heart” in Wild Hearts!

  • Maggie Sandmann

    FOUNDER & PROGRAM DIRECTOR

    Maggie grew up exploring the rivers, forests and prairies of Illinois with her family and friends. Even at a young age, she found solitude and adventure in nature.

    For years, Maggie and her husband, Tye, dreamt of having a home with a forest of their very own. They found it in 2018 in the quiet countryside of Concord, North Carolina where Maggie’s love for nature was really ignited.

    Along with their two young boys, Maggie and Tye spend countless hours outside exploring the land, gardening, foraging, playing and learning.

    Maggie is a co-administrator and active member of the Wild & Free - Concord homeschool group since 2022 where she leads nature play, nature studies, nature walks, group events and activities.

    In 2023, Maggie completed her forest school training at Asheville Farmstead School, and she holds a Cedarsong Forest School Teacher Certification.

    This experience prepared her for the ultimate adventure of opening Wild Hearts Nature School and sharing her knowledge and love for nature with the next generation of nature lovers. Maggie is CPR and First Aid trained.

    Maggie firmly believes the best way for kids to learn and grow is by experiencing the beauty and challenges of nature.

  • Kyleigh Miller

    SUMMER CAMP ASSISTANT

    Kyleigh Miller is a 16 year old rising Junior at Hickory Ridge High School. With 2 years of experience as an assistant camp counselor to kids ages 3-13, extensive babysitting experience, and two little sisters at home, Kyleigh is very knowledgeable and responsible.

    Kyleigh enjoys spending her free time outdoors, hanging out with friends, and spending time with her family. She is super excited to be helping with summer camp at Wild Hearts Nature School and she can’t wait to get to know everyone!

  • Tye Sandmann

    FACILITY MANAGER

    Growing up in the beautiful mountains, forests and fields of South Africa, Tye spent countless hours exploring with his mother, Thea, family members, and friends. This love stayed with him when he moved to the United States in 2006 and was introduced to a whole new world of natural wonders.

    Tye and Maggie met in 2007 working together at a local grocery store. Over the years, they traveled around the Midwest camping, hiking, photographing and exploring nature together.

    In 2013, Tye began his woodworking career building custom stairs and fell in love with woodwork. Having left Illinois in search of a new home in the woods, Tye began working at MONA Boutique, Making Old New Again in 2017.

    Tye is a Master Woodworker who builds all kinds of things, such as custom furniture, farmhouse tables, bedroom suites and custom kitchens. With everything he does, he only does it the right way and never cuts corners.

    Tye is dedicated to his family and their beautiful life in North Carolina. He loves working on projects with their two young boys at home and in the woods.

    At Wild Hearts Nature School, Tye prepares, builds, and maintains the school spaces to ensure all areas remain safe and ready for adventure and play.

Here’s what our parents have to say:

  • Maggie has a gift for seeing the world through a child's eyes and the ability to connect with each child at their unique level. With her knowledge of the natural world, she is able to serve as an inspiring guide in sharing the wonder of nature.

    Alexa E.

  • My kids absolutely love Ms. Maggie and Ms. Kyleigh! They come home beaming with enthusiasm, excited to share all they have learned. as a parent, I'm thrilled to see their love of nature flourish and their self confidence and independence continue to grow.

    Kara B.

  • Maggie talks with the kids to share her curiosity, her wonder, and her knowledge. She invites them to listen to the woods and watch for new things. So much fun to be had as she explores and shares nature with the kids! So many logs and rocks to sit on. So many sticks and leaves to look under.

    LuAnn D.