About
Our Philosophy is Our Guide
At Rising Oak, we know that all aspects of children’s lives are integrated.
No one aspect is more important than another.
Children have social-emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual needs. Basing their exploration and learning outdoors, all of these needs are met together, side-by-side with caring adults who understand and respect them.
Children have imaginations and creativity that knows no bounds. Nothing ignites the imaginative mind quite like the natural world. Here at Rising Oak, children are encouraged to follow their creative threads and discover the magic in this world. We as adults get to rediscover that magic, right alongside them.
Our Mission
Rising Oak Nature Education was founded to foster a deep relationship between children and the natural world. With Mother Nature as our classroom and mindfulness our guide, children develop perceptivity, respect and confidence in themselves, their community, and the natural world.
RONE is guided in our mission by our core values:
Emergent Curriculum: Student Driven Approach
Developmentally Appropriate Approach
Balance (of Spirit, Self, Mind)
Creativity in all forms
Inclusivity of all people, species, and environments
Mindfulness: Of our roots, our selves, and the beings around us.
Courage and Inner Strength
Wisdom learned, shared, and cultivated
Who We Are
Amy Mohsin
(She/Her)
Founder, Lead Educator
Amy is a 30-year educator with a passion for progressive education and the outdoors. These two passions come together perfectly for her next venture, Rising Oak!
She received her bachelor’s degree in Special Education at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. Amy has taught in many educational settings, from public to private schools, special education as well as regular education classrooms, and homeschooling.
While raising her own children, who are now grown and flown, she also started 2 progressive schools: The Indigo Program, a K-8 progressive school in San Jose, and Communitas Charter High School. Amy’s own children’s educational journeys took many paths and she is a firm believer in following the child’s lead.
Starting a ‘farm school’ was a years-long dream, and in 2020, Amy enthusiastically jumped in to nature schooling and never looked back. As an avid outdoorswoman, spending most of the day outdoors comes naturally, and she recognizes how grounded and happy kids are when they do the same. Rising Oak is the educational setting she was called to lead and teach in.
Amy is a trained Parent Educator, with certifications in Positive Discipline, Project Cornerstone, and STEP Parenting courses.
Tora Troop
(She/Her/They)
Founder, Administrator, Lead Aide
Tora's respect for education started when she was young, and became one of her guiding passions. After graduating from Santa Clara University with a Bachelors of Science in Sociology, Tora has worked with and for schools in varying capacities for 10 years.
From working with school districts throughout Kansas and South Dakota for an EdTech company, to working in various positions at a small, progressive elementary school, she has a passion for transformative education and the impact it has on students' lives. Tora is a lifelong animal lover who was fortunate to spend much of her childhood outside, and she knows the incredible value of learning in and with the natural world.
Tora is our resident animal steward. She's always sought out animals of all kinds, growing as a horsewoman since her first ride as a toddler, and worked as a large animal Veterinary Assistant for 3 years. She is excited to bring her knowledge of animals to the program, sharing it with students as part of the overall curriculum. She spends most of her free time alongside her dogs, horses, and one wily cat.
Jennifer Merz
(She/Her)
Educator
Jen has spent nearly two decades in education as a classroom teacher and instructional coach, supporting students with diverse learning, linguistic and social emotional needs . She has a deep passion for early reading instruction and believes that all children thrive in learning environments that are inclusive, positive, responsive, and student-centered.
Over the years, Jen has helped launch two new school communities—experiences that gave her the chance to build something meaningful from the ground up while growing alongside students, families, and colleagues. She values collaboration, thoughtful planning, and creating hands-on, inquiry-based learning experiences that spark wonder and support the whole child.
Happiest amongst the trees, Jen is both an educator and a parent who long dreamed of a school like this—where learning happens through connection, exploration, and time in nature. She’s grateful to be part of a community that reflects those values, and even more so to share it with her own children, who attend alongside her.
Cynthia Toscano
(She/Her)
Educator
With over 18 years of experience in education, Cynthia has worked across public schools, homeschool settings, and specialized roles in both general and special education. Her approach is grounded in student-led learning, strong family partnerships, and a holistic view of child development.
As both an educator and a mother, she is passionate about creating inclusive, responsive learning environments where all children feel seen, supported, and connected. Her desire for her own children to learn in nature led her to homeschooling—and ultimately to Rising Oak Nature Education. At RONE, she brings her experience and vision together to support meaningful, nature-based learning for all students.
Remembering Phoenix
5/7/2012 - 6/13/2025
Official Mascot, Grounding & Support
Phoenix was Tora's dog, and we were fortunate she got to spend most days with us. She started her life as a stray on the Navajo Reservation in Fort Defiance, Arizona. She evaded rescuers for several months, but when she became a mom herself to 13 herding mix puppies, rescuers were finally able to capture her and her pups. She made her way to Best Friends Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah, where she healed from some longstanding injuries. She came home to Tora in May of 2014, and the rest is history.
Phoenix carried many stories from those days within her, but one ultimate truth of hers is that she always deeply loved kids. She was a patient, kind, intuitive soul, and her presence was a grounding force for the kids. Phoenix will always be an integral part of our team. She made sure to bring all "her" kids to the finish line of the 5th year of learning at RONE before making her death transition. 🐦🔥
Leslie Germain
(She/Her)
T/Th Aide, Science & Nature Journaling Lead
Bio coming soon