Meet our director

Hi, I’m Carolyn.

I founded The Field School of Hvar, because I believe that schools can be an engine for healthy communities and a powerful instrument for building agency in young people.

I am an American by birth and upbringing, and I now live on Hvar with my partner, who is local, and our young son, who was born in Croatia. We chose to live on Hvar because of the free-range childhood that we felt the island could offer our family. However, schools in Croatia tend to be quite traditional and do not suit all children. Recognizing that other families - both Croatian and international - share our aspiration for a more holistic approach to learning, I began investigating how I could bring together the best possible educational community in our island paradise.

Before coming to Hvar, I began my career in grassroots placemaking, convening a festival of music and technology that drew 20,000 attendees. I went on to work under the head of operations and fundraising at The Aspen Institute, a global think tank based in Washington, D.C. I am a “double Hoo” with an undergraduate degree in literature and an MBA from the University of Virginia.

Outside of work, home, and learning Croatian, my passions are (as you might expect from the themes in our program) hiking, gardening, and reading. I am extremely grateful for all the wonderful people I have already met on this journey to launch The Field School of Hvar, and look forward to meeting new allies and co-conspirators as we continue onward. If you are inspired by the work we’re doing, please get in touch!

Our Guides

Our program is driven by an experienced group of educators, representing a variety of child-centric philosophies of education, including Waldorf, Reggio, Sudbury/Democratic, project-based, and International Schools.


  • Guide, Early Learners

    Kelsey is a seasoned early childhood educator, currently facilitating a forest kindergarden classroom for 3 and 4 year olds while completing her M.Ed in nature-based learning.

    Visit her website, Among the Fairies.

  • Guide, Upper Elementary

    Experienced, AWSNA-certified Waldorf science teacher with an undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Austin. Fluent in English, Spanish, and French. She currently teaches at Los Caracoles in Valle de Bravo, Mexico.

  • Guide, Middle

    With a decade of classroom experience at some of the world’s most prestigious and innovative schools, Ivan thrives in helping young people connect with their agency and purpose.

  • Art Instructor

    Holding Master’s and Undergraduate degrees in Fine Arts from the University of Zagreb, Andrea is an up-and-coming Croatian young artist with a strong affinity and sensitivity to children.

    Check out her recent show in Leipzig.

  • Early Learners Guide

    Based in the Netherlands, Lydia’s background is in forest schools and Waldorf-inspired Reggio Emilia pedagogy. She holds a bachelor’s in applied sciences with a minor in practical philosophy.

  • Middle Years Guide

    With an undergraduate degree in Religious Studies from Kings College at the University of London, Heather is now a classroom teacher and the whole-school monitoring and evaluation lead for the pioneering New School of London.

  • Lower Elementary Guide

    Ewelina holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Pedagogy from the University of Szczecin, Poland with a special certificate in communication between parents, educators, and children. She has interned in a Montessori school, two international schools, and emergency centers for vulnerable youth.

Creative & Strategy

The Field School of Hvar represents the hard work and seasoned insights of a team of voluntary and freelance creative and strategy professionals.


  • Photographer/Videographer

    John is a Computer Science graduate from Drexel University. By day he builds software platforms and tools, but his real passion is hardware and tech. His love for film and photography has led to various marketing and documentary projects in different communities and schools. He enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, mountain biking, and barbecuing when he's not taking photos.

  • Photographer

    With a Master’s in Social Work from NYU and in Modern and Contemporary Art from Christie’s New York, Roksolana brings exceptional sensitivity to her photography with children. Her career spans a breadth of roles, most recently providing developmental support to children at a New York City public school, while volunteering in refugee relocation, exhibitions for marginalized artists, and preserving Ukrainian heritage and free speech.

  • Creative Director

    Accomplished community manager for a group of 10,000+ dedicated users. Noted creative director, strategist, and artist across visual and written works. Holds dual degrees in Architecture and Arts. Mom.

    See her portfolio.

  • Administrative Strategy

    Larisa is a world-schooling parent who has held leadership roles in international schools around the globe, including Dubai, New York, Addis Ababa, and Ankara. She/they holds an undergraduate degree from Colombia and a Master’s in Reading and a post-graduate certificate in Educational Leadership and Administration.


  • Translator

    A veteran author, journalist, and civic leader, Mirna translates this website, which was written in English, into well-composed Croatian. As our content changes constantly, it is a Sisyphean task. Errors are ours, not hers!

  • Community Liaison

    We thank Field School parent Iva for volunteering to serve as a welcoming face to all of our families. Iva was raised in both Croatia and the United States, speaks both English and Croatian, and is a skilled cultural translator.

Friends & Mentors