Betsy’s and Gillian’s paths first crossed at a Philadelphia preschool and kindergarten. They worked together for five years as co-directors, sharing a strong commitment to serving children and families. Their belief that more can be accomplished by working together as well as their understanding and appreciation of the power of learning in the natural world inspired them to begin The Children’s Burrow.
Gillian Gottlieb
Gillian spent many afternoons of her childhood playing “wilderness,” climbing trees, and searching for hideaways beneath large shrubs and weeping trees. An avid and always-learning gardener, Gillian discovered this love while planting vegetables in a corner of her family’s backyard. She now enjoys sharing her enthusiasm and appreciation for the natural world with her husband and four children, planning nature walks and hikes that often end with a dunk in a stream.
Gillian has an A.B. in English from Harvard University and a teaching certificate and Ed.M. in teaching and curriculum from Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Betsy Berkey
Betsy grew up outside of Cleveland and spent her summers at her family’s cottage on Lake Erie swimming, creek-walking, and picking wild raspberries. Betsy and her husband have long enjoyed spending time together out in nature. They now have two kind, creative, and curious children who are part of the family’s next generation to spend time every summer at the family cottage on the lake swimming, digging, collecting rocks, building fairy houses, and having outdoor adventures!
Betsy holds a B.S. in Elementary Education from Keene State College and an M.Ed. in Nature-Based Early Childhood Education from Antioch University.