Jake brings a rare combination to Hidden Meadow: the precision of evidence-based behavioral science and the wisdom of primitive living skills. With 16 years of experience working with children and certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, he understands how learning happens at a neurological level. But he also knows that the best teacher is nature itself.

Since 2018, Jake has worked primarily with students on the spectrum, specializing in teaching early to intermediate language skills and supporting children through challenging behaviors. His training in trauma-informed care and assent-based treatment means he prioritizes emotional safety and student choice in every interaction.

But Jake’s expertise extends far beyond the clinical. He spent years training at Earthwalk Northwest’s Primitive Skills School, interning in their Primitive Skills Apprenticeship program, and studying ethnobotany. He attended The Tracker School on the East Coast, completed a month-long National Outdoor Leadership School course in backpacking and rock climbing, and was certified as a Wilderness First Responder.

What makes Jake unique is how he weaves these worlds together. He brings the intentional, data-driven approach of applied behavior analysis to outdoor education, ensuring that every interaction is purposeful and every child is learning in ways that connect with them personally.

His teaching philosophy is simple but profound: Follow the child’s lead. The only thing you need to do to capture a child’s interest is to let them teach you. Kids will show you what’s important to them, what motivates them, and what they’re excited to learn.