InTucker Magazine

Business of the Month – The Tree of Learning

The Tree of Learning is bringing creativity along with innovation to education and child development to the community of Tucker. A 501c3 non-profit nature base program that is dedicated to guiding individualized education, the Tree of Learning curriculum is based on the learner’s curiosities with an emphasis on connection to the natural world. The center provides educational workshops at their facility, along with learning opportunities out in nature and visiting area schools. Cassi Beach, the Executive Director and owner, began her career as an educator in Atlanta Public Schools.

“I was born to do this,” Beach said. “God put me on this earth to help children.”

After earning her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, Beach began teaching but left after a few years because she thought that it was best for her family to become a stay-at-home mom. Afterwards Beach started working with Tucker Parks and Recreation and became part of the leadership team for the summer camp program. During that time, she felt called to start something of her own. She earned a master’s degree in educational leadership and, in 2022, took a leap of faith to launch The Tree of Learning. Her organization offers three types of programs they include the LEAF (Learn, Experience, Apply, Flora & Fauna) program, BARK (Being A Real Kid) program and ROOTS (Reflective Organic Opportunities For Time and Space). The LEAF program is where she offers pop-up programs at her facility, pre-schools, k-12 schools, birthday parties and parks. Through that program she also provides opportunities for girl scout troops to earn their nature badges.

“That is really fun,” Beach said. “I like it that in the beginning they are like eww bugs but by the end of it they are like, yeah bugs!”

The programs have resonated with kids of all ages, from Girl Scouts to preschoolers at The Goddard School. Beach brings a hands-on fun experience to the children where they can interact up close and personal with nature.

“We would come to the school and provide all the supplies that we needed to help them learn about insects,” Beach said. “I put an incubator in their classroom, and we hatched chickens at the end of the year. We had a hatch day party so that was really fun. I taught in their outdoor classroom. I created the lessons that went along with their monthly themes, so I worked with them with what they were already doing.”

The BARK program is a program she offers for homeschooling kids and non-traditional schooling kids. This summer Beach started ROOTS, a camp program that quickly became a hit. In its first year, Beach hosted three camps in June and found so much success that she wants to continue the camps. During her camp she taught the importance of Juneteenth and plans to have this lesson every year for her campers.

“I ran a camp for the week of Juneteenth intentionally because I think it is really important on that week of June to teach kiddos the history of Juneteenth,” Beach said. “We actually read the Emancipation Proclamation out loud and were able to dive into that history a bit and at the end of camp we got to celebrate with our Kona Ice of Tucker and the students got to pie and slime the counselors. I still can’t get the applesauce out of my shoes. I guess I have to get a new pair.”

Another popular addition this year was the “Mommy & Me Tea” outing, held for Mother’s Day. It offered moms and their children a chance to bond with each other through nature-themed arts and craft. Beach said the event was a big success and she hopes to make it an annual tradition.

The Tree of Learning makes full use of Tucker’s many parks, turning them into outdoor classrooms. Through her time with the City recreation department, Beach discovered and fell in love with the area’s parks—many of which are now regular locations for her programs.

“I am so blessed to be in the community of Tucker where we have the opportunity to learn and grow right alongside with the kiddos, it’s just awesome,” Beach said. “It’s great because of my time working in the Rec Center, I was able to really fall in love with Tucker. I am so grateful for the time I had there and to Mr. Rip and all the amazing people at the City that took me under their wing and gave me the opportunities to grow my leadership skills. I would not be the leader that I am if it was not for that experience.”

Her favorite parks include the Tucker Nature Preserve, Henderson Park, and Montreal Park. These outdoor spaces provide organic learning experiences, such as the time her class visited Kelly Coffer Park and discovered a Hercules Eastern Beetle. They turned the sighting into a hands-on research project.

“My favorite part is the freedom to be creative while helping children break through their own limits,” Beach said. “I want to help them become risk-takers, problem-solvers, and good friends. That’s the best part of what I do.”

To learn more, visit treeoflearninginc.com