Greta Grillo

Greta grew up exploring the valleys and creeks of central Pennsylvania, where she spent the seasons playing outdoors in the woodlot behind her childhood home. Her family instilled in her an appreciation for the natural world from a young age. From watching her mom fill a journal with observations of the natural world, to being gifted a compact microscope at age 10 by her dad, observation, curiosity, and hands-on discovery have always stood at the core of her approach to learning. 

Greta graduated from Penn State University, Schreyer Honors College, with a B.S. in Community, Environment, and Development. After college she gained valuable perspective and skills working on farms across the country, working in prairie management and restoration, and studying soil in a research lab. It was during these experiences that she grew to love the act of connecting with her community through learning in nature.

More recently, Greta completed her M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Washington in conjunction with Islandwood’s Graduate Program in Education for Environment and Community. Her graduate studies included a 10-month immersive residency in justice-oriented environmental education; experiential, student-centered learning; and culturally-responsive teaching and curriculum development. Greta is engaged with equity work at Chewonki not just in the classroom, but also through serving on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee for the Foundation.

At Chewonki, Greta has had the privilege of working across almost all of the grades at one point or another as a lead teacher and collaborating teacher. In her role as math and science teacher, she loves being able to bring curiosity, play, and a sense of wonder into her learning with children, especially in math! She seeks to create a space where all students feel challenged and supported, curious and engaged, and that they belong. She is grateful to get to know so many wonderful young people through her work, who are always teaching her something new! 

Greta lives in Wiscasset with her husband Cameron and their pup Molly. You are likely to spot her out on a run across the bridge, sailing through the currents of the Sheepscot River on her 16-foot sailboat, or skating and skiing on the frozen lakes and ponds of midcoast Maine.