Jessica Rothfels

Founder/ Co-owner/ Lead Teacher

My name is Jessica Rothfels and I moved up to Summit Park from Salt Lake in May 2018 (although if I had it my way, it would have been at least a decade before then). I was born and raised in Utah, which is a place that truly fills my heart with joy. I was raised with three brothers and by an overwhelmed stay-at-home mom that wanted us to be outside, and out of her hair, as much as possible. Almost all my childhood memories are of camping, running wild, climbing trees and building forts. I have always loved the outdoors, and now as a mom and someone passionate about working with young children, I hope to help facilitate that love of nature for the next generation.

I graduated from the University of Utah with a B.S. in Environmental Studies and Sustainability. I spent the next few years working with different nonprofits and government organizations. Although I primarily worked with adults, the times I worked with children always seemed to be much more impactful and meaningful to me. It wasn’t until I was a Field Boss for Utah Conservation Corps that I realized how deeply I enjoyed teaching. I trained young adults to do habitat restoration, live outside and work as a team. It was a life changing experience for me, and I knew after my maternity leave, that I would change my future career goals to include environmental education.

Since the birth of my daughter I have: worked with Recycle Utah to teach children about recycling and sustainability, taught environmental education to elementary aged children at Red Butte Garden, and worked as an administrator and teacher at a preschool/ childcare facility. I completed my Level 1 forest school teacher training through Eastern Regional Association of Forest and Nature Schools summer 2019, and completed my level 2 summer 2021. When I am not teaching forest school, you can find me hiking, camping, reading a book or eating tacos.

Colleen Chytka

Lead Teacher

My name is Colleen Chytka and I have called Summit County home for nearly 14 years. I was born and raised in the suburbs of Dallas, Texas but always felt drawn to the mountains.

Since I was young, I’ve loved working with kids. I’ve worked in nearly every childcare capacity from babysitter to camp counselor, preschool teacher to nanny. I graduated from Texas A&M University with a BA in Early Childhood Education and a minor in Business. Immediately upon graduating I moved to Park City for what was supposed to be “one fun winter” working as a Ski Instructor. Instead I found a job that blended my love of teaching with my love of being outdoors and I knew I could never return to a traditional classroom environment.

After a decade of ski instructing I transitioned to the Mountain Host department, where I continue to work part time in the winters. My husband works as a Ski Patroller, so skiing (and the outdoor lifestyle) is truly a family affair for us.

I first learned of forest school when my son was a toddler, and I loved everything I read about it. Watching him utterly thrive in preschool at In The Pines solidified my belief in the concept. Nature has become my solution to so many parenting hurdles, I believe there’s something special that happens when we get our kids outside. I am thrilled to be joining the team and am excited to once again merge my love of teaching and my love of being in nature.