Our Teachers are the Root of our Success.

Bonnie McKinney

Nature Explorers

Our Nature Connection programs emphasize unstructured, child-led creative play in combination with a nature connection program. We weave in the Gratitude Practice, Nature Journaling, Mapping, Orienteering, Animal Tracking, Sensory Awareness Practices, Plant, Tree, Insect and Animal Identification, Bird Language, Ocean Awareness, Forest Knowledge building, some basic primitive skills such as Shelter Building, Herbal Medicine Making and Wild edible foraging.  (If you would like us to incorporate knife skills and carving - we can do that with unanimous parent approval).  

Our programs are experiential based learning.  A typical day might include a nature treasure hunt, creek exploring, nature wandering, climbing hills, fairy garden construction, shelter building, nature based arts and crafts, nature journaling, storytelling and child inspired play. We will have the opportunity to get to know all about the plants, animals, insects, trees and other cycles of nature that will be happening around us.  Nature is our Teacher as we co-create the class together. Sign Up

Casey Køerner

Visual Arts & Multimedia

Studio Drawing & Painting: The craft of interpreting color & tone into a harmonious pattern involves a series of uniquely difficult disciplines folded into one.  In this 4-part course, we will explore the differences between these disciplines and gain an understanding of design, tone, and color arrangement using Ink, Graphite & Acrylic paint; while reviewing specific tools and steps needed to create a permanent / mobile art studio. 

Multimedia: Using modern mobile digital tools; music composition & arrangement focuses on the process of creating a piece of digital music from start to finish.  We will be using mobile apps such as Auxy, Trackd, and Garageband to create, arrange and record individual instruments digitally, and sequence them into tracks to create a song. In addition, we will be using digital cameras to understand the elements of filmmaking & storytelling, using InShot to edit digital video.
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Casey Koerner was born in Mt. Shasta, CA; and has lived by the rivers, forests and oceans of Northern California, Hawaii, Iceland & NYC.  He paints figures and animals juxtaposed within spiritual and metaphysical connections; regularly serving as guides, co-protectors and healers.

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Erica Stanojevic

Math basics

This class will focus on math basics for children between ages 5 - 8. Number sense and place value (through millions, less for the younger children) will become familiar through hands-on exploration with base-10 manipulatives. The four operations - addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division - will be explored using manipulatives, games, and real world application. Once a child demonstrates understanding of the concept of each operation, memorization of the basic math facts will be practiced through learning strategies and games. This memorization aids in math fluency and ease for the long term. Estimation will be developed as a tool to quickly approximate an answer. Measurement will be explored first using created units - such as a child's hand - and then moving towards measuring with standard metric and imperial systems. The older children will begin a basic exploration of fractions using manipulatives. The first few sessions of class will be used to determine what level each child is at and then we will take off from there!

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Erica Stanojevic has always worked with kids. With her first job, she spent years teaching swimming which made clear the value of fun within learning. She taught at science camps as a young adult and then went on to become an elementary school teacher for five years in East San Jose. She left that to focus on becoming a mother and also because the public education system did not align with her life. She still holds a CA teaching credential. Sign Up

Hugh Allan

Language Arts

Comprehensive Reading: This course is designed to not simply run the student through volumes of text, but teach them how to effectively and efficiently extrapolate the right information from what they read, and help them synthesize their own analysis for discussion and written responses. The ability to write a good essay truly arises from skillful reading, and is incredibly useful throughout life. Students will have assigned reading as well as in depth work in class, which will amount to both discussion and short essays. The workload includes short stories, poetry, song lyrics, and a novel. This course will significantly build the students ability to read, write, and discuss engaging texts. 

Creative Writing:  I’m very excited to teach this ten week course because creative writing is what initially made me appreciate English as a whole. As we explore different genres and techniques, I plan to give quite a bit of freedom to students, letting them have fun as they explore their creativity and bring imagination to life. Creative writing can be as fantastical as it is therapeutic, and during the process of telling a story, kids learn a ton about their own interests as well as their perception of the world around them. Sign Up

Leslie Warren

Mathematics 

Leslie received her B.S. in Physics from California State and went on to work in the field of physics in her early career.  She transitioned to management and spent the majority of her working career in management in Silicon Valley.  Currently she is the co-owner of Breath+Oneness in Capitola with her daughter Carrie Burr.  Leslie has always enjoyed teaching, and is pleased to have the opportunity to teach mathematics for the freedom community children.

 Middle School Math 

- The Number System – including factors,
fractions, decimals
- Ratios Proportions and Percents
- Expressions and Equations – including exponents, scientific notation, square and cube roots, solving equations.
- Geometry
- Intro to Statistics and Probability
- Coordinate Plane and Functions

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Paul Damon

Warrior Training

Warrior Training is a high energy training course specifically designed to develop strength and speed, stamina and self-confidence. Basic to intermediate self-defense and sparring skills are interwoven with obstacle course and small crossbow target practice. This training fosters self-responsibility, discipline, and working hard while having fun in a positive environment.

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The founder of Holistic Veterans, a non-profit organization here in Santa Cruz, Paul is a champion of healthy living, holistic practices, and developing strength of mind, heart, body, and spirit. He has been working with veterans and non-veterans for over six years in cultivating positive daily habits of meditation, physical and mental conditioning, and healthy eating. Paul has worked in various martial arts for over 15 years and is excited to share his experience and wisdom with others for their own betterment and empowerment. Sign Up