Rachel Schwartzman is Senior Program Manager for the Playful Learning Landscapes Action Network. Rachel has over two decades of experience in progressive education; as a classroom teacher, art teacher, early childhood curriculum specialist and educational consultant. Connecting children to nature, art, and play have guided Rachel’s work throughout her career as she has worked to create opportunities and amplify access to joyful learning environments.

Rachel holds a Master’s Degree in Education from the Bank Street College of Education, a teacher training laboratory school that values project-based and hands-on learning. Her approach to education is deeply rooted in Bank Street’s philosophy, as well as the materials rich and play based approaches from Reggio Emilia, Italy and the outdoor natural learning environments in Sweden. Rachel continues to draw inspiration from her travels to both countries, where she had the opportunity to study these innovative educational approaches up close.

Rachel spent a decade working at the Brooklyn New School, an urban public school where she developed a dynamic early childhood arts program and a weekly Forest School program. Since returning to her hometown of Philadelphia, she has been consulting with schools around the arts, classroom design, greening schoolyards and nature- based programming. Recently, Rachel spearheaded “Forest Days,” a nature-based teacher training program for public school teachers in Philadelphia.

Rachel resides in Philadelphia near the Wissahickon Park where she often takes walks in the woods. She enjoys photographing nature, singing, being crafty and hosting dinner parties!