Wildhearts Academy

Wildhearts Academy is a philosophy to teaching children while also building an inclusive, compassionate and forward thinking community. With a comprehensive approach, using Arts Integration, Wellness Habits and Nature Based curriculum, Wildhearts Academy provides a unique approach to seeing the world around us through a diverse lens. Using significant figures throughout history along with everyday heroes to guide each week, students will explore and discover the world around them, while engaging in creative lessons that teach problem solving and nurture their Wildheart spirit.

We want our own children to tap into their inner strength and ability to discover their own power.  But more than that, we want them to use this power in the world to do good and make change. These are the tenets of Wildhearts: 

• wellness to allow a child the emotional strength and peace to act with clarity, 
• art to allow a child the freedom to express how they experience the world, 
• inclusivity to ensure all types of people are considered and respected, and 
• connection to the natural world to foster a sense of wonder and respect for all living things. 

Laura Brino

Laura Brino is a freelance artist and singer/ songwriter who studied illustration at Maryland Institute College of Art and Art Education at Towson University. Currently the Director of Community Programs at Maryland Hall in Annapolis, MD, she oversees many youth arts programs. Prior to this work, she worked as a Middle School Visual Arts Teacher as well as an Arts Integration Specialist. She is passionate about using the arts as a pathway for learning and is committed to providing dynamic programming for youth. She has presented at three national conferences about the healing power of arts. She is also an accomplished songwriter and musician and has released five albums under her name and her band Lily and the Pearl.

Stephanie Smith

Stephanie Smith is a School Librarian and Media Specialist with a Master of Library and Information Science from the iSchool at University of Maryland, College Park and an SL Certification for grades K-12.  She was led to this path by her passion for children’s literature and the potential it has to spark a child’s imagination, curiosity, and contribute to their world view. She further found her calling within this profession as it allows her to guide young individuals to learn how “to learn” and create their own knowledge through research and reading. Stephanie has written Library Media curriculum for her school district for 9 years with the goal to ensure the program empowers students to become lifelong discoverers. 

Upcoming Classes