Miss Yessie-Founder & Program Director

Hello! I’m Yessie Joy Verbena, the founder and heart behind Blackberry Academy. My mission is simple yet powerful: reconnecting children with nature in a world where screens often overshadow green spaces. At Blackberry Academy, I’ve created a sanctuary where kids can grow, explore, and thrive in the great outdoors.

Our community garden plot gives children the chance to plant food, learn about composting, and discover the magic of flora and fauna. Meanwhile, our home base at the stunning Blue Heron Park in Phoenix, Oregon, provides endless opportunities to connect with wetlands, springs, and local wildlife.

My passion extends far beyond the natural environment—I’m deeply committed to equity in outdoor education. Every child, no matter their background or ability, deserves access to the wonders of nature. I celebrate neurodiversity and cherish the unique ways each young mind grows and flourishes. At Blackberry Academy, we embrace individuality, inspired by Montessori and Waldorf philosophies, and nurture every child’s ability to bloom wildly and freely.

Join me in championing childhood, equity, and unforgettable experiences in the natural world. Together, we can foster lasting bonds with nature that grow stronger with every adventure.

Shay brings over a decade of experience working with children in both outdoor and developmental settings and a lifelong love for the wild spaces that shape us. As a child, she spent most of her time outside, exploring the desert just beyond her neighborhood, climbing rocky hillsides, riding her bike through the sand and rocks, and peering into the deep crevices carved by floodwaters. That early connection to nature guides her teaching today: child-led, curiosity-fueled, and grounded in the rhythms of the land.

Shay met Yessie seven years ago at Mt. Ashland, where she was working as a ski instructor. The two bonded instantly over their shared love of the outdoors and quickly became close friends. Years later, when Shay stepped into the role of Children’s Program Coordinator, Yessie joined her team in the Scooter program, teaching 4–6 year olds how to ski. Since then, they’ve teamed up time and again—planning nanny playdates, leading nature walks, and camping trips.

In May of 2025, Shay visited Blackberry Academy and sat in on a session with the toddler group. She was deeply inspired by the environment Yessie had created for her students, and eagerly accepted her offer to return as a lead teacher for preschool students.

She is returning to the Rogue Valley after two years in Boise, Idaho, where she worked at Bogus Basin Recreation Area. Her background also includes seven years as a Direct Support Professional for children on the autism spectrum, five years at Mt. Ashland, and two years as lead teacher at Discovery Preschool. She is currently a student at SOU, studying Psychology and Early Childhood Development, working towards her goal of becoming a nature-based play therapist.

Gracie is joining us as the Assistant Nature Mentor for all our summer camps at Blackberry Academy. Growing up in Ashland with two teacher parents, Grace discovered her passion for working with kids early on. She’s always been inspired by their curiosity and creativity, and she loves helping them explore and learn about the world around them.

Grace is currently pursuing a mixed major in early childhood education, art, and psychology—making her the perfect fit for fostering a connection between nature, creativity, and learning. Outside of camp, she enjoys crocheting, watercolor painting, hiking with her dog, and teaching kids to swim part-time.

We’re thrilled to have her onboard to make this summer unforgettable for your little adventurers!