Our Staff
Kate Newton
Farm School and Children’s House Music Specialist
With CMS Since 2022
Kate was raised on a small farm in Northern Michigan. Her dad was a wilderness instructor and her mom a wildlife rehabiliator, so she grew up with many animals both wild and domestic, and with keen love of the natural world. She received her BA in Liberal Studies, Rhetoric and Creative Writing and spent these years working on one of the largest CSA (community supported agriculture) farms in Michigan. Following her move to Oklahoma she served as the Assistant Director of the Oklahoma Public Archaeology Network through the University of Oklahoma for three years. In 2018 she started her own small cut flower business where she also sold native plant seedlings. She is a certified Forest and Nature school teacher through Eastern Region Association of Forest and Nature Schools (ERAFANS).
Sammy Husbands
Elementary Music and Movement Specialist
With CMS Since 2024
Cristianna Holten
French Specialist
With CMS Since 2024
A bachelors degree in French and ESL and part time traveler, Cristianna is a language enthusiast. A bit of a sociologist at heart, she loves discovering why we learn the ways we do. Mother of two rambunctious boys, her lessons are centered around learning through practical activity. Coming from a multicultural family, she has a deep interest in exploring and encouraging communication in all its forms. Originally from Washington State she is enjoying discovering all the wonderful things Oklahoma has to offer.
Alicia Hall
After School Specialist/Summer Camp
With CMS Since 2021
Alicia is a wife, mom, daughter, Auntie, niece, cuz, and best of all Yaya. She holds that title to five wonderful Grandchildren. As the after school teacher she has the pure enjoyment of spending the last few hours with our friends. “We snack, we paint, we draw, we build, we run (they run) we talk and we laugh.” She spent the last 20 plus year teaching and can truly say she now has the pleasure to experience the best of both worlds. “Life is so good.”
Ghis Thomas
After School Specialist/Summer Camp
With CMS Since 2023
Ghis is a wife, Mother to 6 children and Grandmother to 5. She is originally from Wisconsin and moved to Oklahoma 43 years ago. Ghis was a Pre-School Teacher at a school in Norman for over 35 years teaching ages 3 – 6. She is a nature enthusiast and dabbles in wood work. Ghis also loves to upcycle old furniture giving, it a new life.