After founding Wauchatchie School in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Jean Lomino’s passion quickly turned to reproduce the awesome learning environment offered by nature to children everywhere. Jean established Forest School Teacher Institute to train traditional teachers from around the globe to be nature teachers and to promote Forest School research. All trainees gain firsthand experience through observation of forest school programs in a variety of natural settings and school venues, at training sites throughout the Eastern US.

Forest School Teacher Institute is headquartered at the main campus of Wauhatchie School, located on the grounds of Reflection Riding Arboretum and Nature Center, Chattanooga, TN. Six other Lab school sites are located within a 50 mile radius of Chattanooga.

FSTI training is endorsed by the MSED in Outdoor Teacher Education at Southern Adventist University.