Who We Are
Elisabeth McAllister
Founder, Director and Guide
Hello, I’m Elisabeth! I’m a native Austinite and was lucky enough to be a free-range child of the 80’s and explore nature every day, which is the intrinsic motivation for creating Austin Butterfly Academy. After years of studying Early Childhood Education and Child Development, my interest piqued with the Montessori philosophy and I became a certified guide in the Primary Environment. I also became a certified children's yoga instructor and founded Shine Your Light Yoga, a children’s yoga and mindfulness program, in 2012 after noticing how my students greatly benefited from our regular yoga and mindfulness classes.
Austin Butterfly Academy blossomed from the desire to create a space for children that not only honors and respects them as individuals, but also nurtures their connection to the outdoors and solidifies a deep appreciation and understanding of nature. My goal as an educator is to always guide with love, kindness, patience and peace and to help children thrive by teaching lifelong valuable skills such as gardening/food sustainability, emotional intelligence, social development and autonomy.
My favorite way of spending my time is hiking through the Hill Country with my daughters, grandchildren and my two sweet pups, Niko and Coco. Some of my favorite activities include: qi gong, yoga, visiting national parks, reading, music, studying holistic wellness, traveling and spending time with my favorite humans.
I’m continuously inspired by the extraordinary Maria Montessori’s view on cosmic education:
“Let us give the child a vision of the whole universe. The universe is an imposing reality, and an answer to all questions. We shall walk together on this path of life, for all things are part of the universe, and are connected with each other to form one whole unity. The child finds the universal centre of himself with all things.”
Gihtza Scott
Lead Guide
Hello! My name is Gihtza. I am a Houston native and have recently moved back to Texas. I am passionate about nurturing curiosity and confidence through nature-based learning; a value shaped by my time living in California, South Carolina and Missouri. Each place has fostered my love for diverse landscapes, from coastlines to forest to rolling hills, and inspires the way I bring nature into the classroom. I have had the joy of wearing many hats in the Montessori, Reggio Emilia and Forest School settings. These fun experiences have deepened my belief in the power of outdoor and play-based education to support holistic child development. I am dedicated to creating inclusive, supportive spaces where every child feels empowered to explore, take risks and build a meaningful connection with the natural world. Outside the classroom, I love exploring new hobbies, wandering along nature trails and capturing the natural world through my lens, experimenting with new recipes and baking. I find so much sharing homemade food with those around me as I believe it is the easiest way to grow connections and community. I am thrilled to be joining the Austin Butterfly Academy community and look forward to the growth and meaningful challenges as I continue to learn alongside the children.
Christopher Amorim
Lead Guide
"What are you, a monkey or a man?" Hanuman bowed his head reverently, folded his hands and said, "When I do not know who I am, I serve You and when I do know who I am, You and I are One.” -Tulsidas
I am a full-time teacher here at Austin Butterfly Academy. I will soon complete two years as an educator at ABA and almost a decade in early childhood education. I'm always excited for what the new day will have to offer us in the school, so that we can handle it together as a class and navigate through anything that comes up.
Being a teacher and caretaker brings me much joy. I feel it is an essential role in society for ensuring the protection of children and helping them learn and grow for a better, brighter future for themselves and their families.
I was born in Austin, Texas. In my free time, I enjoy hiking the greenbelt with my family, playing soccer at Zilker Park, and gardening every chance I can.
My wife and I also have a herbal and art shop named Jaguar de Jade.
Arely camacho
Assistant Director
My family roots are in northern Mexico, and my native language is Spanish.
I moved to Austin in 2015 and began my career in childcare that same year. Over the past 10 years, I've been an assistant and lead guide for infants to 5-year-olds in various school settings. A constant throughout my childcare journey has been outdoor classrooms.I fell in love with being an early childhood educator during my first year, seeing children's curiosity for the world and how they develop their social-emotional skills in a safe and playful setting.
I enjoy setting up open-ended art projects, tending to the garden with the children, making tea, and singing songs with them. I believe children learn through play. I enjoy emergent curriculums where the child is involved in their learning. Children who experience the outdoors and learn about nature are more inclined to become adults who care for our world.
Outside of work, I love being outdoors, gardening and being part of our Kalpulli and Danza Mexica. I am also an artist and herbalist. My husband and I recently became parents to our son, León.
Jessica Krumm
Assistant Guide
Hi! My name is Jessica. I’m an Austin native and a UT Austin grad - Hook ‘Em!
I have been working with kids since 2003 in a variety of settings, my favorite being nature-based programs that support children’s curiosity, resilience, and connection to the natural world. I am passionate about play-based learning with an emphasis on social-emotional development. I truly believe this is the key to nurturing kind, confident, and able young people.
My favorite part of teaching is sharing my knowledge of the natural world, teaching young people about plants and animals, natural cycles, and ecosystems. My hope is to inspire a deep, lasting appreciation for nature.
Outside of the classroom, I enjoy yoga, gardening, and spending time with my family outdoors- hiking, swimming, and camping.