Two people smiling in a forest setting with dry leaves on the ground, wearing casual clothes, one with a blue t-shirt and the other with a black tank top, embracing each other.

Chantel Hernandez-Zimmerman

Founder & Visionary | Certified Teacher | Nature-Based Education Leader

Certifications & Education

  • Certified State Teacher (K–5, Science)

  • Certified Nature-Based Educator, Level 1

  • CPR Certified

  • Wilderness First Aid – Expected Completion April 2025

Advocates for: Experiential learning and reconnecting education with nature’s wisdom.

Founder & Visionary of Sensory Garden and Play

Education is not just a system—it’s an experience, a journey, and a connection to the world around us. Chantel, a veteran educator with over 17 years of experience in both urban and suburban classrooms, saw firsthand what traditional education lacked: the innate wonder of childhood.

Fueled by intuition and a deep desire to reimagine learning, she founded Sensory Garden and Play nearly five years ago. What began as a bold idea has grown into a movement—one where nature is the teacher, and educators are facilitators of discovery.

Chantel’s vision breaks down the walls of standardized education. At SGP, learning is fluid, personal, and rooted in experience. The approach reclaims childhood and honors each child’s natural rhythm, empowering them to grow through hands-on connection with the world around them.

Personal Note

To my daughters—thank you. Without you, there would be no SGP.