Welcoming our Founding Apprentice Guide—Amber Bryant—to The Forest School!

We are thrilled to announce that Amber Bryant will be Founding Apprentice Guide at The Forest School! 

As Apprentice Guide, Amber will play a crucial role in both elementary and middle school studios, guiding learners, leading Socratic discussions, designing Quests, establishing community partnerships, and more.

Amber Epps Bryant was born in Atlanta, Georgia, where she attended Frederick Douglass High School. Upon graduation she attended Georgia Southern University and graduated with a degree in Human and Environmental Sciences. After several years of managing and overseeing the renovation and construction of both residential and commercial properties, Amber changed careers to open a family shipping business and oversaw the first stage of operation. During this time she married NFL Cornerback Fernando Bryant, and began actively participating in his 25-Sports Foundation, which supports the encouragement of inner-city youth. Through the Foundation, she was able to participate in community clothing and food drives. This is where Amber found her passion for working with kids. “Fernando’s Commando’s,” a group of high performing middle school students, was the brainchild of Amber. Students were invited to home games because of outstanding work; and in addition to this work she coordinated many of 25-Sports outings and mini-camps for student athletes.

From the love to see children succeed, Amber began to volunteer at Meadowlands Montessori school and decided to pursue her certification in Montessori Middle Grades Education. She has served the Henry and Fayette County communities as a Montessori guide and assistant in both the Upper and Lower Elementary classes. Amber visited her high school alma mater and was shocked at the environment she encountered. This led her to start The Odyssey Program in hopes bringing the family environment she left at Douglass High School back to the forefront. The program focuses on essential life skills for high school students to carry into adulthood and become successful, contributing citizens to their community. She still volunteers with the students from Douglass. Fernando and Amber have been married for 13 years and raise Fernando’s older children, Amber’s nephew, and together have a 7 year old daughter named Griffin.

Amber emerged as the leading candidate for Apprentice Guide role after a national search. To date, we've received over 130 applications for Guide roles from a high quality, diverse pool of candidates. Amber joined us for an in-person campus visit at Pinewood Forest during which she engaged with many stakeholder groups including our co-founders, multiple learners of The Forest School, volunteers, and founding parents of The Forest School.

Throughout the interview process, we came to see that Amber is a curious, passionate learner who loves children and values innovative education. In addition, her experience working in a Montessori environment positions her to help The Forest School community identify and implement strategies for developing true self-directed learners.

Please join us in welcoming Amber Bryant to The Forest School!