We are excited to announce our new team members for the 2025-2026 school year!
Get to know the new faces joining us in 2025–2026!
Dr. Chrissy Keck will serve as Math Specialist and Founder-in-Residence, and Hadrian Pollard will step into the Upper Elementary role while also serving as a Founder-in-Residence—both will be immersed in our learner-centered model as they prepare to launch and lead their own schools. Chrissy will be with us for one year before launching her school; Hadrian plans to be with us multiple years before launching. Amanda McAdoo will join as our new Art Guide, and Shamira Carr will bring her passion and experience from The Forest School Online to support both learner progress and school operations. She’ll lead PE sessions across multiple Studios, support learner goal-setting through weekly check-ins, and help keep our front office running smoothly with a warm, organized presence.
Hadrian Pollard
Upper Elementary Guide and Founder in Residence
Hadrian Pollard has been teaching for the last twelve years in both the U.S. and in Asia. He started his career as a 4th grade teacher outside Chicago and has since taught STEM K-5, 5th grade gifted education, and science methods at the university level all in North Carolina. While teaching, Hadrian wrote curriculum, led professional learning, and served as an administrator. From 2023-2025, he helped reform a private school in the jungles of Kalimantan, Indonesia. In addition to classroom work, Hadrian founded a creative writing and performing arts nonprofit for middle and high schoolers called Suncatcher Players. Outside of teaching, Hadrian writes fantasy novels for both children and young adults. He is thrilled to be a part of such a creative and innovative community as the Forest School.
Shamira Carr
Resource and PE Guide
Shamira Carr is a Georgia native with a deep passion for education and learner-centered approaches. She holds an Associate’s degree in Health & Physical Education, a Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Human Learning and Development, and most recently, a Master’s degree in Character Education—further strengthening her commitment to nurturing the whole learner.
Shamira joined The Forest School in 2020 to pursue her passion for self-directed learning. Over the past few years, she has served as a Guide with The Forest School Online, where she supported learners in developing autonomy, curiosity, and purpose. She is now excited to return to in-person learning at The Forest School: An Acton Academy, continuing her journey as a passionate educator and Socratic Guide.
Outside of her professional life, Shamira values being present with her daughter and cherishes time spent with family and friends. She enjoys watching sports, staying active, and enjoying great food!
Amanda McAdoo
Art Guide
Amanda McAdoo is a multidisciplinary artist with a B.A. in Interior Design and a background in hospitality and residential design. Her creative practice spans painting, sculpture, woodworking, and digital art, all rooted in a deep understanding of how creativity shapes both identity and space.
Passionate about nurturing creativity, Amanda sees art as a vital, nonverbal language—especially in formative years—for processing emotions, building confidence, and fostering connection.
As an educator, she creates safe, supportive environments that encourage exploration and self-expression. Her teaching blends foundational skills with open-ended play, emphasizing process over perfection and personal growth alongside artistic development.
Dr. Christine (Chrissy) Keck
Math Specialist and Founder in Residence
Chrissy grew up in Erie, Pennsylvania, and has spent her career working across PK–12 education in Mississippi, Washington D.C., Denver, Philadelphia, and Atlanta. She has served in district, charter, and independent school settings, always with a focus on equity, innovation, and student-centered learning. A proud Teach For America alumna, Chrissy began her teaching career in the Mississippi Delta, where she developed a deep commitment to educational equity and the power of high expectations and strong relationships—an experience that continues to shape her leadership today.
She is the founder of The Meliora School, a proposed 6th–12th grade public charter school in Gwinnett County, Georgia, rooted in mastery-based learning, entrepreneurship, and computer science. Chrissy has also served as a founding staff member at two successful charter schools and led a successful school turnaround, achieving 100% teacher retention for three consecutive years and significantly improving school culture and academic outcomes. In addition to her work as a school founder, she coaches aspiring principals at Columbia University’s Summer Principals Academy and serves as faculty for Teach For All, supporting school leaders around the world. She is also a member of Teach For All’s Global Principal Community and the Fred Rogers Educators Neighborhood.
Chrissy holds a doctorate in Leadership and Learning in Organizations from Vanderbilt University, where her research focused on artificial intelligence in higher education, critical thinking, and instructional design. She also holds an M.A. from Columbia University and a B.A. from the University of Rochester. Deeply inspired by The Forest School’s commitment to purpose-driven, student-led learning, Chrissy felt instantly aligned with its values of curiosity, community, and authenticity. She is honored to learn alongside The Forest School team as both a leader and a lifelong student—committed to reimagining education so that all young people can thrive in a rapidly changing world.