Sacred Roots Team
Sierra: Founder / Co-Lead Educator
Sierra Hiner is the Founder and Co-Lead Teacher of Sacred Roots Early Learning. She holds a B.A. in Early Childhood Education from the University of Washington and brings more than a decade of experience caring for children from infancy through early elementary years across homes, classrooms, international programs, and in family court settings. Her approach is shaped by both formal training and lived experience, with a deep emphasis on relationship-based practice, emotional safety, ecological systems, and developmentally supportive environments.
Sierra began college during high school, earning her associate degree before studying Community Psychology, an experience that grounded her understanding of context, systems, and human development. Her work as a nanny, youth program coordinator, and international educator further deepened her belief that children thrive when they feel known, supported, and connected to their community.
She also served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for children experiencing abuse and neglect, advocating for their safety and voice during pivotal moments in their lives. This work reinforced her commitment to creating learning spaces where children are emotionally held, respected, and free to grow.
Sacred Roots grew from this long-held vision: a small, intentional learning community where children are known deeply, emotional literacy is practiced daily, and nature shapes the rhythm of learning. Guided by this vision, Sierra brings care and intention to her work, honoring childhood as a meaningful season of life and partnering closely with families as children grow and find their place in the community.
Sam: Co-Lead Educator
Samantha (Sam) Andrews is Co-Lead Educator at Sacred Roots Early Learning. She holds a B.A. in Social Science and English from Carthage College, along with graduate credentials in Early Childhood through 6th Grade General Education. Her dedication to personal and professional growth has led to an extensive academic and experiential repertoire. Whether among shelves of books, beneath towering pines, or inside a classroom, Sam is a teacher at her core.
Sam sees young children as natural scientists, storytellers, artists, and problem-solvers. Given room to explore nature, engage in imaginative play, and take appropriate risks, she believes they build confidence, resilience, and a lifelong love of learning. She understands that parents and families are invaluable members of the learning team—for they are the true and original experts on their children.
Long before entering the classroom, Sam restored trails, protected natural spaces, and led conservation education programs. This work taught her that caring for the future of our natural world begins with its youngest explorers. That insight has carried her across more than a decade of elementary education, literacy intervention, youth development, libraries, curriculum design, and outdoor and community programming.
Motherhood to an adventurous three-year-old daughter has only deepened this purpose, filling her days with hiking, gardening, storytime, and finding magic in ordinary moments. Joining Sacred Roots feels like coming home, a place where every chapter of her journey weaves together, and where she's honored to help children grow into kind, capable people, full of grit and wonder.