About Us

Our Mission

Two children playing on a large tree stump with sticks in a forest during winter, wearing warm jackets and hats.

At Buttonbush Forest School, our mission is to inspire young minds through nature-based learning while fostering curiosity, creativity, and a deep connection to the environment. Rooted in the unique beauty of a centennial family farm, we provide a safe and nurturing outdoor classroom where children will engage in hands-on exploration, critical thinking, and cooperative play. We are committed to nurturing each child’s sense of wonder, resilience, and respect for the natural world, empowering them to become compassionate lifelong learners and stewards of the earth.

Field with green grass and dandelions under cloudy sky
Child climbing on a fallen tree trunk in a forest with autumn leaves.

Our Curriculum & Philosophy

We draw inspiration from the Reggio-Emilia learning approach where children drive their own learning through collaboration and creativity. As teachers at Buttonbush Forest School we strive to facilitate every child’s learning through embracing the different elements of each season, the curiosity of each child, and the wonder inherent in nature. We lean into teaching through the children’s senses while encouraging a strong respect for nature. Our days will be filled with enrichment activities including hiking and exploring the natural surroundings, mindfulness, nature-based literacy and math, arts, and music. We also emphasize community building through circle time, problem-solving in the moment, and supporting peer relationships. Through our partnership with Tuthill Farms, we offer hands-on learning with farm animals and year-round enrichment activities. We prioritize community at Buttonbush Forest School, hosting seasonal family celebrations that honor the changing seasons and strengthen our connections with each other and nature.

Meet the Team

  • Woman with curly hair smiling in an outdoor setting against a grassy backdrop.

    Gabriella Franciosi-Tuthill

    Director and Co-Teacher

    Gabriella was born and raised in Metro Detroit and has always had a deep connection to nature which has only grown stronger since moving to her husband’s family farm. She holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from University of Michigan with a focus on children and families as well as a school social work certification. With experience working as a social worker in the public school setting from early childhood through elementary school, she values child centered learning with a strong focus on play. Gabriella has spent years working in special education with children of diverse needs and abilities and is passionate about how nature based education can support the whole child. Gabriella lives on Tuthill Farms with her husband and 2 kids, who are the 7th generation of Tuthills to reside on the property. In her free time she loves to sew and embroider, bake bread, and read.

  • Smiling person outdoors wearing a green shirt

    Michelle Brassat

    Lead Teacher

    Michelle is a proud Spartan having graduated from MSU with a Child Development/Elementary Education degree. She has spent all her years teaching in primary classrooms with most of these being in kindergarten (she loves the littles!) Michelle also has her Master’s in Trauma and Resiliency in Education. She has a true passion for social emotional education and believes that there is no better classroom than the great outdoors to teach those skills. Michelle is a rebel teacher who has seen first hand where our school systems values lie and believes there can and should be options to achieve those goals differently. Michelle loves adventuring with her husband, 2 daughters, and 2 dogs whether it be traveling out of the country, in local towns and forests, or just in the backyard.

  • Person smiling outside with a grassy field and cloudy sky in the background.

    Kathleen Gosselin

    Expert Naturalist and Co-Teacher

    Kathleen has always had a passion for nature. She grew up in the Chicagoland area in a very outdoor-loving family. Her first big job was working as a trail guide in Rocky Mountain National Park, where she decided that she wanted nature to be her full focus. Kathleen attended Northern Michigan University in the upper peninsula of Michigan where she received a degree in Ecology. During her time in the UP she worked for the local conservation districts scouting for native and invasive plants. After she graduated, Kathleen worked in Montana as a community forester planting trees to help small communities keep their local environments healthy. Kathleen ultimately moved back to the Midwest with her husband and two dogs, where she worked in the Natural Area Preservation department for the City of Ann Arbor. Kathleen has 2 children now and hopes to instill values of nature and adventure in them as they grow older.