Meet the Schoolyard Roots Staff

We are fortunate at Schoolyard Roots to have a dedicated, committed, and passionate group of individuals who thrive on their work! Their passion for garden-based education makes our great state healthier and more sustainable, one child at a time.


Nicole Gelb Dugat
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Nicole comes to Schoolyard Roots with over a decade of experience working in Food Education across the U.S. She has taught at nonprofit and Permaculture farms, and most recently at a world-class school garden program in New Orleans. She holds a degree in Experiential Education, and when she's not working you can find her playing with her kids and picking flowers in her backyard garden.

nicole@schoolyardroots.org

Sandie Champion
PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Sandie is a veteran Tuscaloosa City Schools teacher with 29 years of classroom experience and a passion for outdoor classroom learning
. She has spent most of her life in Tuscaloosa and enjoys spending time with friends, family, and her two pets. She likes to read on the front porch, craft, and discover new pastimes. 

sandie@schoolyardroots.org

Natalie Wulf
LEAD GARDEN EDUCATOR

Natalie joined Schoolyard Roots as an AmeriCorps VISTA in 2016 after graduating from The University of Alabama with a degree in civil engineering. In her new role as an education coordinator, she’s excited to continue sharing the wealth of knowledge and inspiration that can be experienced in gardens with students across Tuscaloosa. In addition to tending to gardens, Natalie enjoys experimenting in the 
kitchen, spending time with friends and family, and exploring Tuscaloosa (by foot and car).

natalie@schoolyardroots.org

Tom Rathe
GARDEN EDUCATOR

After beginning as a fellow working with several of our partner schools, Tom is excited to be part of the SYR team as a Garden Educator. An avid gardener, outdoor enthusiast, and advocate of hands-on education, he loves to share his enthusiasm with the children of Tuscaloosa. When he’s not in the garden, Tom can be found mountain biking, fishing, playing music, or spending some quality time with his dog, Dolly.

tom@schoolyardroots.org

Leah Stern
GARDEN EDUCATOR

Leah is a recent college graduate and has her degree in Environmental Science. Before joining the Schoolyard Roots team, she has taught science education in a variety of settings, including a zoo, museum, and environmental center. Leah is an advocate of experiential learning and is excited to join students across Tuscaloosa on their garden journey! When not in the garden, Leah enjoys cooking, hiking, and birding.

leah@schoolyardroots.org

Wells Addington
DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR

Wells comes to Schoolyard Roots from the University of Alabama, where he taught English for six years. He holds a Ph.D. in Writing History and Theory from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. He’s from the Appalachian hills of Ohio where his family grew a garden and raised sheep, goats, pigs, ducks, and chickens. In his free time, he cooks, writes and plays music, works on poems, fishes, takes his dogs on hikes, and roots for the Cleveland Guardians.  

development@schoolyardroots.org

Kathy Harris
OPERATIONS MANAGER

Kathy comes to Schoolyard Roots from the American Red Cross where she held various positions including Operations Specialist. She brings a wealth of experience from non-profit administration to fundraising. She holds a BA in Economics from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. In her free time, she loves spending time with her family and friends, hiking in the mountains, growing ornamental lilies, and walking her dog, Dexter. 

kathy@schoolyardroots.org