Email: emilysimpsonSCLC@gmail.com
Emily teaches science, math, Spanish, English, history, and government at the Santa Cruz Learning Center, and enjoys working with students of all ages. She has a BS in Plant Biology from Northern Arizona University and has a passion for garden-based education. Emily is a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer from Paraguay where she spent two years as an agriculture sciences teacher, and tutored English and Spanish. She also spent time at the Arboretum at Flagstaff as an
dogs, and other sweet little animals that we get to interact with on a daily basis. Overall I really appreciate the care and thoughtfulness that goes into all of our lessons and relationships here at the Santa Cruz Learning Center (SCLC). Come be a part of our learning. . . SCLC Rocks!!!!
early-on and I struggled with reading and writing throughout childhood. It is because of the patience and encouragement of the mentors and educators in my life that I became a successful college graduate. Now, as a mentor and educator myself, I feel blessed to pay it forward to my community. Until 2016, I worked concurrently at UC Santa Cruz as the Director of STEM Diversity Programs. I was a re-entry college student (six years after graduating from Santa Cruz High in 1992) and transferred from Cabrillo College to UC Santa Cruz where I received a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Chemistry. My research was in marine natural products as well as bioinorganic chemistry involving the photochemistry of nitric oxide. Prior to starting college, I trained at the Santa Cruz Women's Health Center to be a phlebotomist and a clinical laboratory assistant. I worked at Unilab, Santa Cruz Medical Clinic (before it was PAMF), and performed home visits to do medical exams for life insurance applicants. When I transferred to UCSC, I was granted the Gates Millennium Scholarship, which allowed me the opportunity to focus on my schoolwork instead of having to work to put myself through college. I have been teaching and tutoring since college and I was raised by a local homeschooling consultant teacher for AFE (Patty Palazzo). During my time off, I enjoy spending time with my family in my hometown of Santa Cruz. I have a fantastic husband (Nate Bell) and two exuberant daughters (Leilani, 16, and Ruby, 12) who keep me busy traveling around the US for allstar cheer competitions.
stayed at an ashram that was also an orphanage for a couple of weeks. I had a chance to bond with the kids while doing activities, yoga, and helping them with their schoolwork. It was the experience of a lifetime.
Big Poppa Frenchie
Retired professional Dog Athlete
Email: suggiethetank@dogs.com
Email: caraSCLC@gmail.com
I have always loved kids and began babysitting when I was 12 years old and have continued to babysit and nanny over the years. I worked at Trader Joe's for over 20 years. I left that job to follow my passion for working with the youth. After that, I took a job teaching an afterschool enrichment program that taught kids science and engineering concepts with Legos.
I love my 2 dogs Jack and Jax, doing macrame, crafting, and yoga. I have had the opportunity to do much meditation and yoga/service retreats locally as well as in India, Thailand, and Guatemala. When I was in India, I
instructor, Master Practitioner of NLP and Life Coach. In recent years, I have developed transformational hikes for adults and preteens, focusing on mindfulness, connection to nature and gratitude.
I have had the pleasure of traveling to 22 different countries and am looking forward to international travel again, hopefully before too long. I love snorkeling and SCUBA diving (in warm, tropical water), hiking anywhere, and almost anything that sparkles.
Lover of Nature, animals, and my fellow human beings. I was homeschooled K-12 while growing up in Michigan and working in my family’s chocolate shop. I have always had a passion for music and art. After a two-year service mission in Chile, I got a bachelor's degree in Art Education with a minor in Spanish. I then taught Spanish and Art around Tampa Bay Florida for five years.
My wife Luz and I have been homeschooling our four girls, and since 2017 the six of us have been performing in our family reggae band around SF Bay and Santa Cruz. Along with music, art, and teaching I also authored and
Classroom helper for all ages
M.s. in Snorting
Email: boujee@barkmail.woof
I have always loved exploring. When I was younger I was able to spend a summer studying ecosystems in Australia through the University of Queensland, studied over spring breaks marine biology in the Florida Keys, and traveled to Florida to rebuild houses with Habitat for Humanity. I have always loved this planet we call Earth and want to cultivate exciting ways to learn on the 3rd rock from the sun. I am a mom who is passionate about learning. When my children were younger I taught STEM classes at a local park. Mixing my love of nature and learning we built roly poly houses, investigated pulleys, and created art. among many other things. This led me to instruct classes for WPAL at their youth center. I have also been a Cub
Scout leader for my daughter's Cub Scout troop for the last 2 years. Children see the world with wonder and curiosity and I want them to integrate that curiosity into their daily lives.
illustrated two books; one about taking care of the Earth, and one about philosophy and metaphysics.
I see all humans as my equals. So as a teacher, I share what I know in a down-to-earth fashion. Teaching at the Santa Cruz Learning Center is great for that kind of individualized learning that can be adapted to the needs and levels of each student.
educational leader and tour guide. Emily has years of experience tutoring high school students in chemistry, biology, Spanish, English, and history. She thoroughly enjoys working with students one on one, or in small classes to ensure each student receives individualized support and friendship. When Emily is not hanging out with students at SCLC, she enjoys camping, backpacking, gardening, yoga, meditation, cooking, eating, reading, and traveling.
Classroom helper for all ages
M.s. in Cuddling
Email: marblesboy@barkmail.woof
Email: kiraSCLC@gmail.com
When I was 18, I spent a gap year in Israel where I got to teach English to middle school students. Although I loved teaching, I was really excited to major in Environmental Studies in college. After graduating from Miami University, I was so happy to discover the world of Environmental Education, where my passion for ecology and environmental stewardship combines with my love of teaching. I have taught at four different science camps/environmental education organizations throughout CA spanning 16 years. Before becoming a mom 6 years ago, I started exploring other interests and got certified as a yoga
Baby Frenchie of the Center
Student. Researching the art of the puppy puddle.
Email: Shy@frenchies.com
TEACHER & TUTOR
B.A. IN ART HISTORY, MA IN EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY
Email: MelanieSCLC@gmail.com
My name is Melanie Clark and I am an instructor here at the Santa Cruz Learning Center. I have an extensive background in teaching and interacting with all types of different learners. I have a Master’s of Arts in Educational Psychology and a BA in Communicative Disorders and Sciences with an emphasis in speech-language pathology. I really love working here at the Center for many reasons. I love all the varieties of information we are able to convey to our students. I also love that giving and building confidence are really important for all teachers here. This ensures that we are able to have fun and give tons of exciting hands-on experiences. We have snakes,
Introducing OUR TEAM of Talented Educators!