Rose Hammerman

Coyote Tracks Youth Program Instructor

In West Philadelphia born and raised in the close-knit neighborhood of Powelton Village….. 

Rose was almost always in somewhat of a free-range group setting. 

In 3rd grade, Rose lost her front tooth to the urban landscape of asphalt covered playgrounds. Little did she know, this would be her path (or crusade) to not only a new tooth, but offering urban children a connection to natural settings she most always desired (and still does).

Rose is an avid believer in the power of play as a catalyst for teaching compassion, exploration, empathy, and fostering growth in children. She had the desire to apply the philosophies of human development, early childhood education, psychology, and the arts into her work with guiding and mentoring children. This led her to pursue and attain her degree in Community Education at Goddard College in Plainfield, VT. Her thesis focused on “Junk” Playgrounds, and the benefits of self-directed, project based learning in a natural environment.

After nearly 2 decades in Oakland California, Rose headed homeward to be closer to family. Using the research from play-focused environments she designed and built an ‘Adventure Classroom’ at the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education in Philadelphia where she was the preschool teacher in the 100% outdoor “classroom”.

Soon after relocating to Philadelphia she met Jamie Coyle, and became connected to Coyote Tracks through a shared vision for teaching young children to connect to nature in their own communities. She took her Tracker Standard Class in 2022. 

Rose has worked in a variety of child-centered environments, certified as a post-natal yoga teacher, Wilderness First Aid/CPR, and previous experience cultivating food on organic farms, along with tree tending and planting for local non-profit Chester Ridley Crum Watersheds Association.