Teacher Liz
Co-Lead Teacher Preschool and Elementary Group
Liz grew up in and around the Santa Cruz Mountains, an area that is near to her heart and which has continually shaped her love for being outdoors. She is a credentialed Special Education teacher with a Masters in Education, and has worked with children and families in several capacities for over 15 years. Her experience has included nannying, teaching horseback riding lessons and summer camps, running an outdoor learning and social program at a horse farm, teaching in a special education setting for nearly eight years, and parent coaching. In addition to her work with children and families on a professional level, Liz has two boys of her own and is enjoying the opportunity to share with them (and others) the parts of her childhood that became core memories; dirty feet, dancing in the rain, jumping in puddles, searching for salamanders in the creek, and exploring the beautiful surroundings we are so lucky to have access to. Liz believes that children thrive when they feel connected to peers and trusted adults, connected to their natural environment, and connected to themselves. She strives to honor each child as they are, balancing effective leadership with providing a safe space for kids to step into their autonomy, confidence, and potential.
Teacher Michelle
Co-Lead Teacher Preschool and Elementary Group
Michelle spent her early childhood years exploring the stream and forest next to her home in Kaneohe, Hawaii. The rainforest proved to be an inspiring classroom and her interest in science continued into her college years. She studied Molecular Biology at UC Berkeley and after graduating discovered a passion for teaching. She returned to her home state attending the University of Hawaii earning a teaching certificate. Her first experience was teaching sixth grade at Makaha Elementary. She continued her career in the Bay Area teaching preschool, kindergarten, and grades 1, 2, and 3 in public and charter schools in San Jose, Cupertino, Foster City, and Santa Clara. She also owned and operated a preschool for 14 years. Education has been a life long journey for Michelle - she went back to school earning a Masters Degree in Education from San Jose State University and completed science training for teachers at the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Gardens, Monterey Bay Aquarium and Lawrence Hall of Science. She believes that the role of educators is to nurture children’s innate curiosity and provide opportunities for discovery and learning. She’s excited to share her “aloha ‘aina”, love of the land with young learners!
Teacher Marcella
Assistant Teacher
Marcella was born and raised in the Santa Cruz Mountains and continues to enjoy mountain life. Marcella has always loved outdoor activities, whether it is backpacking, mountain biking, camping, bikepacking, or relaxing outdoors. Having three younger sisters has allowed her to gain valuable experience working with kids. In addition to being an older sister, she has had 6 years of experience working with children from newborn to 11 years old. She has also worked as a co-leader for a non-profit outdoor adventure program. As co-leader she has helped plan, organize, and lead kids ages 5 to 17, as well as adults, on outdoor adventures consisting of backpacking, mountain biking, camping, and bikepacking. She has been able to share her love of math by co-founding a math initiative, which offered one-on-one or group tutoring, enrichment lessons, and extension lessons for advanced learners. She is excited to share her love of the outdoors with the True Roots students!
Teacher Emma
Assistant Teacher
Emma Swalander is a passionate and enthusiastic outdoor educator with experience at WOLF School and Camp SEA Lab. She aims to inspire curiosity and appreciation for the environment. Whether we are exploring tide pools, hiking through forests, or conducting experiments under the open sky, it is always a good time!
Teacher Lucia
Summer Camp Teacher
Lucia was born and raised in Peru. She moved to the United States when she was 10 years old. She lived in Georgia, before making a move to Illinois during high school. She went to North Park University where she majored in Biology. The summer before her last year in college, She went to an island called Whidbey Island in Washington State to study Marine Biology and Marine Mammals, and her life changed. Lucia fell in love with the mountains, the ocean, the animals and plants that differ due to location, and the joy that being outside brought her (hiking and camping). During those 5 weeks Lucia got to go hiking, camping, whale watching, tide pooling, and much more. As soon as she graduated college she came to the Santa Cruz Mountains to teach at an outdoor education program where for 3 years Lucia got to hike around with 6th graders, and teach them curriculum and program activities that support the California Science Standards for their grade. She has also been able to learn and teach about the beautiful Redwood ecosystem and others such as Mixed evergreen and Chaparral ecosystems found in the Santa Cruz area. Lucia is so excited to keep teaching students, be able to share the beauty of nature and being outdoors, and the fascinating different ecosystems found here.