Meet the Founders of Nature Explorers

Julie and Glenn Kleinhans are lifelong educators with a passion for the outdoors. As certified New York State teachers and former classroom educators their collective experiences have taught them that education and true learning happen when children are inspired from within and provided an environment to nourish their inner brilliance.    

Julie Kleinhans is a certified life coach and youth mentor. She began her career as a high school business teacher and left the public education system in 2010 after a ten-year career because she witnessed first-hand how the school system was limiting, and in many cases, damaging the spirit of the student. She created her own education and youth mentoring business and began mentoring teens and adults to find their passion and purpose. Julie has created and hosted global tele-summits for over 5 years, called Successful Kids Revolution where she has interviewed dozens of experts in the field of health, education, parenting, neuroscience and spirituality, as well as hosting a radio show called Teaching from the Heart with Julie K.  

Glenn Kleinhans has been a Social Studies teacher for over twenty-three years. Glenn’s "professional" teaching career came to an abrupt end when he was excessed from his position in the Suffolk County Corrections Facilities in March of 2021. While the news was a shock it was also a blessing. Working in a jail environment taught Glenn how much our schools are run just like them.  Being a homeschooling dad is his greatest achievement and he hopes to pass on the lessons he has learned to help our children reach their highest potential.

In 2015 Julie gave birth their son Jack and there was no question that the two of them would homeschool their son. Together they decided to provide a different type of learning experience based on nature.  They believe that every child is whole and perfect when given the opportunity to explore their own interests in the natural world. As lifelong nature enthusiasts, they have travelled the world and found that the soul is nourished when we allow nature to be our teacher. As a family they enjoy surfing, fishing, camping, boating, hiking and nature photography.