Staff – The Folksy House

Meet Our Team

At The Folksy House, our people are our heart.

Sarah is the visionary founder and director of The Folksy House, a multi-program alternative education school that has grown from its roots in Folksy Scouts, a program she launched in 2020.

Sarah holds a Bachelor’s of Music in Music Therapy and worked as a board-certified music therapist from 2011 to 2016, earning her certification in neurologic music therapy while serving diverse populations from birth to end of life in San Diego and Boston. She also holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology and a Master’s of Science in Entrepreneurship, combining her knowledge of child development with a passion for creative education. Her training includes certifications through LifeWays in early childhood, forest school teaching through FSTI, and Montessori philosophy, along with dual Waldorf handwork certifications under renowned mentors.

With a lifelong dedication to working with young children, beginning at the age of nine, Sarah’s mission is deeply personal. As a mother of two daughters, she has created a nurturing, safe, and wonder-filled space that honors the magic of childhood while fostering kindness, seasonality, and beauty in the world.

Stacey has always been deeply connected to nature and the arts, spending her childhood climbing the willow tree in her parent’s backyard. A lover of human connection, she felt called to work with children from a young age. Stacey graduated from SUNY Fredonia with a BFA in Media Art and spent eight years as the director of marketing for a local jewelry company. When her first child was born, she felt a strong pull toward community and human connection, which led her to start a successful photography business.
After homeschooling her firstborn in a Waldorf inspired curriculum for kindergarten, Stacey sought a like-minded community to help raise her children in a simple, loving, and natural way. A chance coffee with Sarah sparked the beginning of her journey with The Folksy House.
Stacey is passionate about continuing education and has committed to lifelong learning. Her recent accomplishments include completing training through the Forest School Teacher Institute and Lifeways Fundamentals. She is forever continuing her studies in the arts and educational philosophy, with a focus on Waldorf and Montessori approaches.
Now a mother of three, Stacey considers her life’s work to help foster a world where the magic of childhood thrives and community flourishes.

Originally from Greenfield, Massachusetts, Katelyn earned her BA in Liberal Arts from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She began her career in Burlington, Vermont, working as a parent educator at the Lund Family Center and as a risk reduction educator with incarcerated women at Phoenix House.

Katelyn’s professional journey has included roles at several early childhood centers where she focused on integrating the arts and nature into education. Since moving to Buffalo in 2017, she has become an integral part of The Folksy House community, both as an educator and as a parent. Her two young children, Jack and Sully, thrive in Folksy programs, which she describes as a nurturing and inspiring environment.

Katelyn finds joy in fostering the same sense of connection and growth for every child she works with. She treasures being part of a community that celebrates the magic of childhood and helps children flourish in harmony with nature.

Xan brings years of experience and a heartfelt dedication to early childhood care. She attended AWS in 1992–93, laying the foundation for her love of nurturing environments for young children. From 2009 to 2016, Xan served as a toddler teacher at The Rose Garden, and from 2016 to 2018, she ran her own in-home childcare program, creating warm, home-like settings for families.

Xan thrives in environments that emphasize relationship-based care, outdoor play, creative handwork, and song. She is deeply committed to the pursuit of an intentionally built community of women that preserve the magic of childhood and foster meaningful connections among children, their families, and educators.

Passionate about child development, Xan finds joy in the work itself and the relationships it fosters. Her approach reflects her belief in the transformative power of nurturing care and community to support children’s growth and happiness.

Kat brings her passion for art, storytelling, and connection to life in everything she does. She began her career at a Montessori-inspired community art school, where she taught children’s painting and drawing classes as well as teen and adult film photography.

With over a decade of experience in art education and accessibility, Kat has worked with learners of all ages and backgrounds. She has found great joy in teaching within Waldorf and Montessori-inspired settings, where she can integrate her love for creativity and meaningful connections into her work. The Lifeways Early Childhood Fundamental is her most recent certification.

Kat’s dedication to fostering artistic expression and community shines through in everything she does, inspiring both children and adults to explore their creativity and the world around them.

Jacquie brings a rich and diverse background in child development and education to her role. With a BA in Psychology and an MS in Human Service Administration, she has dedicated her career to supporting children and adults with developmental disabilities in group homes, schools, and day habilitation programs. Her experience also includes working as a psychometrician for a pediatric neurologist and as a mental health counselor in a Buffalo public school.
Jacquie’s journey in education extends to her role as a gymnastics coach and her training as a Montessori assistant teacher. Her multifaceted experience reflects her deep commitment to helping children grow and thrive in environments that nurture their unique potential.
She finds joy in seeing the world through a child’s eyes, embracing the beauty and magic of their perspective. For Jacquie, working with children is a profound opportunity to foster wonder, growth, and connection.

Alycia is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) with a deep passion for fostering growth and resilience in young children. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from SUNY Fredonia and a master’s degree in Social Work from the University at Buffalo. Alycia currently works as a counselor with Horizon Health Services, where she supports individuals on their journey to wellness.

With over 15 years of experience as a hike group leader for the eighth-grade backpacking club in her hometown of Fredonia, Alycia has shared her love of the outdoors and education with countless students. Through this program, she teaches essential skills like cooking, cleaning with minimal impact, orienteering, backpacking, and camping in all elements.

Alycia has also worked in early childhood education, finding immense joy in supporting children as they grow and learn. She believes young kids are some of the kindest and funniest people and feels honored to play a role in their development.

Hilary brings over 12 years of experience working with children and more than 9 years in the nonprofit sector, where her roles have ranged from administration and outreach to teaching, event planning, and leadership. She has five years of experience in early childhood education, including her time at The Rose Garden Early Childhood Center.

An alumna of Aurora Waldorf School (‘04), Hilary has received two years of Lifeways training and mentorship under Judy Frizlen and other Lifeways of North America instructors.

In addition to her professional background, Hilary is a rowing coach and the proud mom of two children— she finds joy in blending her passions for nature, education, and community-building, nurturing children and their families in a supportive and engaging environment.

Bridget is a graduate of St. Lawrence University, where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication and Performance Arts. She has a diverse professional background, including work in the organic foods industry in Washington, D.C., and California’s San Joaquin Valley. After returning to Western New York to raise her family, Bridget discovered her passion for early childhood development and now dedicates herself to helping children grow into their best selves.

An avid hiker and reader, Bridget enjoys spending her free time exploring nature and creating cherished memories with her husband and their three daughters. She finds joy in fostering a nurturing and inspiring environment where children can thrive and build meaningful connections with the world around them.

Chelsea is a homeschooling mom of three who finds her greatest joy in learning alongside her children. Originally from the Seattle area, she and her family relocated to Buffalo three years ago and have been active members of the Folksy community ever since.

Chelsea holds dual Bachelor’s degrees in Children’s Studies and Psychology from Eastern Washington University, as well as a forest school teacher certification. Her academic background and hands-on experience as both a parent and educator inform her thoughtful approach to teaching and connecting with children.

Passionate about nature-based learning and community, Chelsea thrives in environments where children can explore, grow, and build meaningful relationships. She is committed to fostering curiosity, creativity, and a love for the outdoors in her work with children and families.

Sue is a lifelong educator with an impressive academic background and rich teaching experience. A graduate of Vassar College (Psychology, Class of 1976), she also holds an MA in English Literature from SUNY Brockport (1981) and an Advanced Certificate in Creative Studies from SUNY Buffalo (1986). Born in Evanston, Illinois, Sue’s early years were marked by frequent relocations, including living independently in England at 17 during a six-month gap year. Her passion for teaching was ignited while working as a governess in Boston, inspired by two books she read during her time there.

Sue’s teaching career began in rural Newark Valley, NY, before moving to Clarence, where she spent 17 years teaching grades 2, 4, and 5, followed by 14 years in a K-6 enrichment program for gifted students. She also served as an adjunct professor at Canisius College, teaching undergraduate and graduate education courses.

After homeschooling her two children—both of whom gained scholarships to colleges of their choice—Sue started a homeschooling group that grew to over 200 families. When her husband became ill, she returned to work, spending her final 10 years teaching research writing with an environmental focus at the University at Buffalo. Retiring in 2017, Sue continues to bring her wealth of knowledge and passion for education to her community.

Raised in the Pacific Northwest, Jamie recently relocated to the Buffalo area from a rural island in the Puget Sound. With over a decade of experience as a teaching assistant in early childhood development, Jamie brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep passion for working with children. She also served as Vice President on the board of a cooperative school on Whidbey Island for more than three years.

Inspired by her love for the outdoors and Waldorf education, Jamie is dedicated to fostering environments where deeper values and soulful connections can flourish.

Jamie believes in creating spaces that nurture the whole child, fostering a sense of wonder and connection—for both her own child and those in her care.

Meet Our Team

Sarah Sendlbeck

Stacey Bank

Katelyn

Xan

Kat

Jacquie

Alycia

Hilary

Bridget

Chelsea

Sue

Jamie