Teachers & Staff

Keith Barron

Lead Teacher, Roots (PreK/K)

Keith spends his days in the cabin with our youngest learners, where nothing brings him more joy than listening as children weave imaginative stories and bring them to life through play.

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Keith has been teaching young children for more than 20 years, blending professional expertise with a playful spirit. He earned both his BA in Early Childhood Education and his MA in Reading Education from Ohio University.  His passion for child-centered learning has also led him to share his insights with educators across the country, serving as a keynote and featured speaker on topics ranging from school gardens to the power of play in curriculum.

Matt Johnson

Lead Teacher, Shoots (1-2)

In the Shoots classroom, Matt nurtures children’s natural curiosity by encouraging them to pursue projects sparked by their own interests. He is deeply committed to place-based learning, inviting students to engage with both their community and the natural world. He is especially skilled at helping children balance academic growth with emotional development, fostering a community where students feel safe to take risks, think deeply, and discover their own strengths.

Matt earned his BA in Music Education from Ohio University and a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Denver. His diverse teaching background includes kindergarten through third grade in Denver and early childhood education at the Ohio University Child Development Center. With warmth and creativity, Matt supports children to feel empowered to explore, question, and grow.

Betti Calhoun

Lead Teacher, Saplings (3-4)

Betti brings a love of literacy and a passion for the outdoors to her work with the Saplings class. She delights in meeting students wherever they are in their reading journeys, supporting growth with up-to-date training in ELA and reading instruction. Equally, she draws on her background in outdoor education to design engaging, cross-curricular projects rooted in student interests, place-based learning, and environmental stewardship.

Before joining Solid Ground School, Betti taught 4th and 6th grade in local public schools. She has also served as an Outdoor Educator for Big Brothers Big Sisters and as an Edible Schoolyard Teacher with Community Food Initiatives. A graduate of University of Rio Grande, she earned her B.S. in Middle Childhood Education with honors and later added a math endorsement to her credentials.  She brings a balance of academic skill, creativity, and care that enriches the learning experience for every student she teaches.

Kristy Burt

Lead Teacher, Branches (5-6)

Kristy brings a wealth of experience to the Branches classroom, blending her love for middle-grade learners with a passion for outdoor and place-based education. She is known for her creative, relationship-centered approach, where collaboration and curiosity drive meaningful learning. Kristy’s teaching emphasizes projects that spark critical thinking, teamwork, and a deeper connection to the natural world.

Kristy’s career has taken her from Ohio classrooms to outdoor education centers and camp programs across the country. She has taught middle school math, science, and history, directed summer camps, and led environmental education and team-building programs for youth and adults. She holds a B.S. in Natural Resource Recreation and Tourism from Colorado State University, where she graduated with honors. With her strong background in both traditional and experiential education, Kristy brings energy, adaptability, and deep care to her work with Branches learners.

Christin Butler

Executive Director, Co-Founder

An avid, lifelong learner, Christin is committed to building strong community and to elevating the value of play and time in nature as central to healthy child development. As Executive Director, she oversees all aspects of teaching, learning, and organizational development at Solid Ground School. While she thrives on envisioning new projects and initiatives, she finds her greatest joy in working directly with students and teachers, offering one-on-one support and cultivating a collaborative, caring learning environment.

Christin graduated summa cum laude from The Ohio State University with an M.A. in Foreign and Second Language Education. She also holds a B.A. in English with a minor in Spanish from Indiana University, a CELTA certificate, and has completed Ph.D. coursework in Curriculum and Instruction. In addition to her leadership at Solid Ground, Christin has served as a keynote speaker on place-based education, and has presented on panels and at conferences to share the school’s vision and practices. In 2023, she was honored with the Community Sustainability Recognition Award from Ohio University’s Office of Sustainability for her work alongside co-founder Weston Lombard.

Rina Caldwell

Inhabit Teacher

Rina has worked with both Solid Ground School and our sister organtization, Rising Appalachia, since 2019. She is currently our Inhabit Teacher, designing and overseeing weekly programming which builds connection to place and the natural world for our students. Rina graduated cum laude from both Ohio University in Outdoor Education and Hocking College in Natural Resources Management. 

Rina's infectious passion for discovery and appreciation of fauna, flora, and everything in between, has led her to a life dedicated to educating and connecting people to planet. She has an Educator's Permit from ODNR to care for displaced or permanently injured wildlife, and has completed the first phase to become a Certified Wildlife Rehabilitator. She aspires to be known as "Turtle Mama" and will often be seen caring for our Wildlife Ambassador turtles.

Heather Hively

Operations & Advancement Manager

As Operations & Advancement Manager, Heather helps keep Solid Ground running smoothly behind the scenes. She supports families with billing and payment needs, manages bookkeeping and records, leads development, and assists staff with the many details that make daily operations flow. With her sunny presence and eye for detail, Heather ensures both families and colleagues feel supported and informed.

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Heather graduated cum laude from Kent State University with a Bachelor's of Business Administration in Finance.  She has worked as an inventory accountant, record store owner, and substitute teacher.  Prior to joining Solid Ground's staff, she was a homeschooling parent and an Administrative Specialist in the Office of Inclusion at Ohio University's Heritage College of Medicine. 

Caroline Beers

AmeriCorps Volunteer

Caroline brings warmth, creativity, and deep care to her role at Solid Ground School. After serving with AmeriCorps through Rural Action’s Environmental Education program, she came to Solid Ground School full-time, bringing with her strong relationships and a dedication to nature-based education. Her background includes 15 years of work in early childhood, running her own nature-based childcare, and teaching in Columbus and at Stages as a lead teacher in the 2.5 - 3 year old classroom. Caroline has served as an AmeriCorps Volunteer for 2.5 years and in the Rural Action native plant nursery and Environmental Education Program. She sees every day as an opportunity to spark curiosity and help children discover their unique strengths.

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As a mother of four, Caroline lives her values both at home and in the classroom, encouraging her own children to grow up with a love of nature and learning. She inspires those around her to look at life with openness and curiosity, a perspective she believes strengthens communities in lasting ways. At Solid Ground, she is excited to continue building relationships and supporting the next generation through nature-based, play-centered learning.