Drew Harwell (he/him)
Director, Lead Mentor for All Programs
Director, Lead Mentor for All Programs
Drew Harwell is the founder and director of Pathfinders Nature Mentoring. He is a nature awareness and Permaculture mentor with over 26 years of experience working with children, teens and adults in nature and garden settings. As a child, he spent a lot of time exploring the Foothills and Baylands of Palo Alto in Ramaytush Ohlone Territory, as well as gardening at the community garden behind the main library with his family. At the age of 17 he spent a month backpacking in the Wind River Wilderness of Wyoming with the National Outdoor Leadership School. Those experiences nurtured his passions and planted the seeds for his career.
His style of mentoring is to help students explore nature through their individual passions and creativity. He uses experiential activities, storytelling, songs and the art of questioning to inspire curiosity in others in developing their relationship with the natural world. Whether he is working in the garden or wandering in the hills, he loves to connect people to the healing powers of nature.
He has a BA from Prescott College in Environmental Restoration and was trained in nature awareness and regenerative design at the Regenerative Design Institute. He is a lecturer in the Stanford Graduate School of Education, where he mentors Stanford Teacher Education Program (STEP) teacher candidates in garden education for elementary schools. He has worked as a guide and mentor for the Exploring a Sense of Place program, Tender Tracks and the Riekes Center. He is the former manager of the Common Ground Demonstration Garden and the Stanford Community Farm. He loves to spend family time with his wife and two children exploring the foothills, baylands and local creeks.
His style of mentoring is to help students explore nature through their individual passions and creativity. He uses experiential activities, storytelling, songs and the art of questioning to inspire curiosity in others in developing their relationship with the natural world. Whether he is working in the garden or wandering in the hills, he loves to connect people to the healing powers of nature.
He has a BA from Prescott College in Environmental Restoration and was trained in nature awareness and regenerative design at the Regenerative Design Institute. He is a lecturer in the Stanford Graduate School of Education, where he mentors Stanford Teacher Education Program (STEP) teacher candidates in garden education for elementary schools. He has worked as a guide and mentor for the Exploring a Sense of Place program, Tender Tracks and the Riekes Center. He is the former manager of the Common Ground Demonstration Garden and the Stanford Community Farm. He loves to spend family time with his wife and two children exploring the foothills, baylands and local creeks.
KC Hetterly (they/them)
Preschool and After School Mentor
Preschool and After School Mentor
KC Hetterly is an outdoor environmental educator and lifelong nature enthusiast. They have been working with children for 9 years through roles as a camp counselor, art teacher, museum docent, STEM instructor, and outdoor school teacher. KC holds a B.S. in biology from the University of Puget Sound and believes that fostering curiosity, love, and respect for nature through play cultivates an inquisitive and open mindset essential for lifelong learning.
Growing up in Palo Alto, KC’s love for nature was nurtured and encouraged by attending Ohlone Elementary and exploring the outdoors in the Baylands, Foothills, Hidden Villa, Arastradero, and other incredible local nature preserves with their family. They spent their school breaks at their grandparents’ organic cattle ranch in the Trinity Alps, helping to care for chickens and highland cows, as well as growing and harvesting a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. In their free time they love to listen to music, make art, swim in the ocean, and spot as many wild creatures as possible wherever they go.
Growing up in Palo Alto, KC’s love for nature was nurtured and encouraged by attending Ohlone Elementary and exploring the outdoors in the Baylands, Foothills, Hidden Villa, Arastradero, and other incredible local nature preserves with their family. They spent their school breaks at their grandparents’ organic cattle ranch in the Trinity Alps, helping to care for chickens and highland cows, as well as growing and harvesting a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. In their free time they love to listen to music, make art, swim in the ocean, and spot as many wild creatures as possible wherever they go.
Kelsey Shaw (she/her)
Summer Camp Mentor (M-F) and Preschool Mentor (T/Th)
Summer Camp Mentor (M-F) and Preschool Mentor (T/Th)
Kelsey Shaw is excited to be returning to Pathfinders. She believes that play and time spent immersed in the natural world are essential for fostering a child’s curiosity, confidence, and sense of belonging. Her early experiences as a caregiver and yoga teacher gave her firsthand insight into how movement, mindfulness, and environment can nurture a child's development. Over the last 14 years, Kelsey has supported children in a variety of roles, including early childhood education, caregiving, and nature-based programs. She holds a B.S. in Education with an emphasis in Child Development from San Jose State University.
Growing up in the Bay Area, Kelsey spent her summers camping, swimming, and exploring the lakes and mountains of the Yosemite area, sparking a lifelong love for the outdoors and a deep appreciation for learning through play. Outside of her work with Pathfinders, she enjoys singing, gardening, and traveling to new places.
Growing up in the Bay Area, Kelsey spent her summers camping, swimming, and exploring the lakes and mountains of the Yosemite area, sparking a lifelong love for the outdoors and a deep appreciation for learning through play. Outside of her work with Pathfinders, she enjoys singing, gardening, and traveling to new places.