THOREAU COMMUNITY SCHOOL - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Based Early Childhood Education
Alicia Jiménez is a Mexican woman who emigrated with her family to the city of Santa Bárbara in the ‘80s. In 2002, she began her professional career as an early childhood educator and in 2018, she obtained her Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education Based on Nature.
Since 2011, Alicia has collaborated with the Wilderness Youth Project and co-coordinated the Storyteller Children's Center's Annual Family Camp. Alicia has taught workshops for educators at the Community Action Commission, the Annual Conference of the Family Services Agency, and at IN BLOOM, the annual conference. at the Antioch University of Santa Bárbara. Her work as an educator was recently published in Professor David Sobel's book The Mud Below and the Sky Above.
Job Titles:
- Masters Degree in Education Multiple Subject Teaching Credential Bilingual Educator
Allison began her career as an elementary school teacher then transitioned to teaching English as a Second Language through Santa Barbara City College after earning her TOESL certificate. She took break from teaching to work for ten years as a Library Assistant at the Carpinteria Branch Library.
As a former teacher and in her present role as a parent, Allison believes that children succeed when someone helps them develop a love of learning.
She enjoys gardening, crafts, music, traveling, and has a passion for children's books.
Job Titles:
- Masters Degree in Environmental Studies, Environmental Education Instructor, Fairview Gardens
Alyssa has always had a deep connection to nature and it brings her great joy to share the wonders of the natural world with youth. For the past 10 years she has been honing her craft as a nature connection mentor, environmental and garden educator, and farm based education program manager. Alyssa has grown food alongside youth of all ages on urban and rural farms, guided teens through horticultural therapy programs, and has developed standards based agriculture curriculum for schools and nonprofits. Alyssa is passionate about empowering youth through hands on learning and meaningful work experiences.
Job Titles:
- Instructor at Wilderness Youth Project
Ann serves as an instructor at Wilderness Youth Project. Growing up in rural Wisconsin, Ann has always felt deeply connected to the sacredness of open, free space and unplanned playtime. After earning her BA in Literature and Education, she returned to Santa Barbara to teach 5 th and 6 th grades, and has since worked in nature-based education. She is a strong advocate for getting children learning outdoors, and leads with this advocacy in her teaching for UCSB's Education faculty. When not working with kids, Ann is happily riding her bike, practicing yoga, camping, and petting other people's dogs.
Job Titles:
- Bachelors Degree in Geography Career and Technical Education Credential, Agricultural Science School and Farm Consultant
Bill is a longtime Santa Barbara resident and appreciates many outdoor activities in our area, including surfing and Tai Chi Chu'an. His educational history reflects the many facets of the TCS mission including health and acupuncture, geography, environmental horticulture, landscaping and biology. Bill has contributed extensively to gardening programs at schools by teaching children the value of growing what they eat. He helps schools use gardens to enhance their education programs in science, art, writing, cooking and math.
Job Titles:
- Visiting Scholar, UCSB Department of Psychology and Brain Sciences
Christina is a visiting scholar at the University of California, Santa Barbara and a member of the teaching staff at the Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara, where she teaches science, values development, and social justice. She is a disability advocate and has started and advised student disability advocacy organizations. She is committed to teaching independence, curiosity, and compassion. As an alumna of a progressive elementary school, Christina believes an outdoor, child-centered education gave her the curiosity and confidence she needed to pursue a career in science.
Job Titles:
- Kambitsch / Ph.D. in Classics Masters Degree in Greek and Latin Languages and Literature Adjunct Faculty, Pacifica Graduate Institute
Emily's elementary education in a Santa Barbara public school that combined nature-based, project-oriented methods with social-emotional learning and community outreach led her to lifelong impassioned study of ancient Mediterranean cultures, languages, and stories. She has designed and taught courses at UCSB, University College London, and most recently in Pacifica Graduate Institute's Mythological Studies program. She is a prize-winning poet, and a writer and storyteller whose work explores the powerful voices of mythic women today. Emily is proud to lend herself to the TCS initiative, and make the learning environment that so influenced her growth as a writer, teacher, and thinker accessible to future generations.
Job Titles:
- Confluent Education
- Masters Degree in Confluent Education Art Educator
Gloria is a retired educator and currently works with the Ethnic Studies Now group, Wilderness Youth young ones, Live Oak Unitarian youth, Chumash Maritime Association and El Centro Community Center. She is also an artist who enjoys painting, making baskets and weaving. Teaching art skills to young people and adults is one of her cherished pastimes. She has taught elementary through college from Istanbul, Turkey to South Central L.A. Gloria was part of the Education Department at Antioch where she taught Art and Culture in Education. She is a firm believer in progressive education, having both her children and grandchildren attend progressive schools. She has held roles as a teacher, parent and volunteer and understands the importance of having young people experience nature as part of their education.
Kyle is native to Santa Barbara and is passionate about stewardship of wild places, mentoring young people, and lifelong learning. His love for science, systems, and small things led him to Whitman College where he received a BA in chemistry. In the decade since, he has worked as an analytical chemist and a nature-connection mentor in Santa Barbara with Wilderness Youth Project where he works currently. He loves gardening, exploring wild places, making music, tending fires, and pondering mysteries large and small.
Job Titles:
- Masters Degree in Education Multiple Subject Teaching Credential CLAD Certificate
Lisa moved to Santa Barbara to begin her education and take advantage of everything outdoors. She completed her education at UCSB with a small break in between to work in the field of marketing. Her years as an educator in a progressive elementary school have helped her grow both personally and professionally, and taught her to lead with respect, care, and understanding. This environment fostered a teaching approach that worked democratically with students and their families to create a dynamic, caring, and socially compassionate community. Lisa believes in celebrating and appreciating each individual and the unique contributions they bring to the community.
She lives in Santa Barbara with her husband John, their adopted daughter, foster daughter, and two dogs. Lisa loves being in nature every day.
Job Titles:
- Rivera / Masters Degree in Early Childhood Special Education Multiple Subject Teaching Credential
Liz is a third generation Santa Barbara resident who taught all grades between Kindergarten and 8th grade in the Santa Barbara School District for over 35 years. She taught at Open Alternative School, Santa Barbara County Schools Infant and Preschool Program for severely handicapped children, and acted as the Academic Coordinator of the Early Childhood Special Education Teacher Training program at UCSB. She has taught generations of students the value of finding their personal passion, pursuing their dreams with integrity, and treating others and the environment with respect. Liz enjoys spending time with her grandson exploring nature and seeks to give more children this opportunity in their everyday adventures around learning.
Job Titles:
- Masters Degree in Education Multiple Subject Teaching Credential
Melissa is a third generation Santa Barbara local whose grandparents and parents were educators in the Santa Barbara schools. Growing up surrounded by science teachers, she was immersed in the beauty and intricacy of the natural world from a young age. After teaching kindergarten, she now works as the Director of Education for the Santa Barbara Beekeepers Association teaching children and adults the importance of bees and art of beekeeping. She believes that every child has the right to a positive educational experience that includes hands-on education about the natural world we live in.
Job Titles:
- Candidate Faculty Lecturer, California State University Channel Islands Masters Degree in Science Education Non - Profit Management Certificate
Nathalie is an adjunct Faculty Lecturer at the California State University Channel Islands University (CSUCI), a Public Health Nurse (PHN) with the Santa Barbara County Child Health and Disability Prevention Program (CHDP) and the mother of a 7-year-old. She believes that a progressive, nature-based approach in education can foster children's unique identity development and self-confidence. Her background as a French Caribbean pediatric public health nurse, faculty member, and single mother informs the TCS initiative from the multi-dimensional perspective of parent, teacher, and public health provider. She is a long-time advocate for children and believes that children should be equipped with a variety of tools including cultural diversity through their learning experiences to be successful in our current society.