Nature Immersed, Spanish Integrated
Chavitos Guides
Meag (she/her/hers) is our director and teaches Social Justice and Literacy.
She speaks basic Spanish.
Meag Diamond is a Cedarsong certified Forest Kindergarten teacher. For 17 years she has taught in the public and private school environments in Washington and in Lagos, Nigeria. Before starting Chavitos she spent six years at a local public Montessori school as a Lower Elementary Teacher (grades 1-3). Meag holds her National Board Certification in Literacy and also possesses a Montessori certification. When she saw her older son's love for nature she started to think creatively about a solution that would get both of them into the woods together more often. Now she has witnessed the powerful magic of the forest with her 6 year old. Chano has been in the forest since he was one month old and it's hard to get him to come inside.
Meag is passionate about plant medicine and social justice. She has started growing herbal medicine in her wild garden and uses them in her home apothecary. Her and Jose have started to tend to land and have been learning to align with the lands vision and destiny. This year she has started to dream about how to help others start their own schools and is writing a book to share her ideas.
Jose Estrada is originally from Guatemala where he spent six years teaching physical education and coaching soccer, lacrosse and swimming. For four years he worked at Safe Passage where he worked with some of Guatemala's neediest children. It was here where he met Meag who was volunteering for a week. His passion is to incorporate play and recreation into education with an emphasis on exploring nature in our diverse community. Jose and his children Keats and Chano love to learn through cooking simply, fixing broken things, and building new invitation to play at their home, farm and forest.
He has been drawn to the Waldorf philosophy and has started his teacher training. This is his third year studying with this program.
Jose (he/him/his) teaches full days at the preschool in September-May and is a Native Spanish speaker.
Rosi (she,her,hers) is our admin.
Rosi Miller/Good, originates from the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Previously, the Director of a nature based summer camp, “Zestful Gardens Farm Camp”; Currently your administrative assistant for Chavitos on the Farm! She also sits on the board for 2 non-profit community health clinics: “Hearth Naturopathic Medicine”, and “Vashon Island Midwifery”.
Building healthy communities, by facilitating the growth of healthy “whole-hearted” families, has been at the center her work in the community, and her deepest dedicated work as a parent!
3 words to describe Rosi: quiet, creative, compassionate…(and “cats”, lets throw that in too!) She loves animals, drinks jasmine tea in the mornings, is a novice herbalist, gardener, and backpacker, and loves to get crafty. She enjoys her sweet, out-door loving family, and has been dedicated to facilitating growth mindset, social-emotional learning and nature education, both personally and professionally.
Ashley (she,her,hers) teaches mornings at the preschool and is a native spanish speaker.
Ashley Navarro is the first generation from an immigrant family. Her mother is from México and father was from El Salvador. She grew up in Mérida, Yucatán and moved back to Puyallup for High School. She lived in Okinawa, Japan for 3 years with her husband and two dogs and recently moved back to the PNW after getting out of the military.
The oldest of her siblings, she has always liked taking care of children and became fascinated with how children grow, discover the world, and learn to be independent. This has bought an appreciation for how differently humans view life. Ashley enjoys viewing life from a sociological perspective. Around the world, friends and family have described her as enthusiastic, hardworking and considerate. “The more the merrier!” - she loves to create a family community everywhere she goes.
Blair (she, her, hers)
Teaches afternoons at the preschool.
Blair Eather grew up, and currently resides, in North End Tacoma; she’s happy to be only a hop, skip and a jump from Chavitos. She came into this world a nature and animal enthusiast and that enthusiasm hasn't lessened over the years.
She received a certification in Early Childhood Education with an emphasis in special needs from Tacoma Community College. Prior to joining the Chavitos team, she briefly provided therapy for autistic children in home and school settings. Blair herself is autistic and is open to sharing about her personal autistic experience, her previous work experience, or answering any questions regarding autism.
A few of her favorite things are flowers, forest bathing, hiking, soaking up the sun and the sights, sounds and smells of the surf along the Oregon Coast, capturing idyllic moments from behind a camera lens, time traveling via reading and watching period dramas, and greeting every dog and cat that crosses her path.
Jeff (he/him/his) teaches marimba on Tuesday/Thursday. He is a Spanish speaker.
Jeff Brahe started learning Zimbabwean-style marimba as a child in 1997, following the tradition brought to the U.S. by Dumisani Maraire. Over the following decades, he has learned from and worked with numerous Zimbabwean and American musical greats, including the late Cosmas Magaya. In 2010, he graduated from the University of Puget Sound with a B.A. in Music, focusing on composition and bass clarinet.
Jeff is the founder of Jekesa Marimba Studio in Tacoma, where he teaches classes and private lessons. He also directs marimba programs at Immanuel Presbyterian Church and St. Mark's Lutheran Church by The Narrows, and teaches marimba at the Hazelwood School.
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Through teaching and sharing African music in the U.S., Jeff strives to increase awareness of the African origins of virtually all forms of American popular music. He hopes that this awareness can have a positive impact on our increasingly divided society.
Lupe Avila was born in Mexico City and immigrated to Washington state when she was 2 with her mom & siblings. She has a passion for guiding kids and helping them grow emotionally. She would describe her self as a mother to all, who makes sure learning is fun and silly. Seeing kids grow and learn through laughter and play in a safe place is what brings peace and joy to her heart and soul.
Lupe and her husband Alex are both fluent in Spanish. They share two amazing kids, two dogs and have started their homeschooling journey this year.
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Lupe (she/her/hers) teaches Spanish.
She is a native Spanish speaker.
Mark (he/him/his) teaches electives. He is a Spanish speaker.
Mark Walker has enjoyed teaching for high school students of Michigan, university students of Indiana, and college students here in Washington, all through natural science and nutrition courses. Notably, Mark and his wife Gaby also shared these sciences and many health care services with approximately 500 students in the Mchinji District of Malawi, Africa in 2010.
Before their son, Francisco, was born in 2011, Mark and Gaby experienced as much of the world as they could, visiting several European and African nations through friend or volunteer connections. Other travels often include spending time with family and friends in many states of Mexico. When in Washington, the family enjoys the garden, music, studying, ice hockey, Tae Kwon Do, and as many outdoor activities as possible.
Lisa (she/her) teaches math.
Lisa Grace (she/her/hers) was born and raised on a small farm in the South Puget Sound area playing on acreage with fruit trees and a trout pond and many animals. Lisa comes to Chavitos with a lot of experience in various childhood education settings, as well as a Masters Degree in Education, combining her love of the arts with curriculum design, and has provided professional development to other teachers. After 32 years of service Lisa retired from teaching public school. She is most proud of her non-traditional teaching practices such as: providing students with alternative seating (yoga balls, balance boards, laundry baskets), differentiating work based on students’ skill levels and interests, giving students voice and choice in classroom operations, daily circles for building relationships, and student-led conferences.
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Lisa is passionate about helping students develop a frame of reference for math studies and create relevance through art, cooking, science and other experiences and games. She loves creating fun learning experiences for children that are child centered and neuro-divergent friendly. Lisa is currently living on her own farm in Orting where she offers summer farm camps. She hopes to travel again and visit all the National Parks.
Pepe (he/him/his) subs.
He is a Spanish speaker.
Pepe Ramirez has been living in the evergreen state for twenty years. He is originally from Mexico and enjoys everyday life with the amusement and challenges that comes with it, "Everyday is an opportunity to be the best version of yourself". Pepe is constantly learning new skills. He has photography certificates from Pierce College Puyallup, Associates Degrees on Graphic Design and Culinary Arts from Clover Park Technical College Lakewood. For one year he was freelancing and had a photography and design studio in downtown Tacoma. He is currently learning introduction to computer science. From 2019-2022 he worked as a babysitter where he found out the love and the passion for teaching kids, which brings him peace and joy. "The kids' world is fun, full of love and a constant learning for me." Pepe enjoys running, cooking, reading, meditating, writing, gardening, paddle boarding, playing basketball and going on camping trips with his wife. He has two moms who love him equally.
Chris (he/him/his) Art / Nature teacher
Chris Adams is a compassionate and attentive Art Instructor ready to ignite creativity and curiosity. Chris's love for the outdoors and evergreen forest walks traces back to his childhood in the suburbs of the Twin Cities, MN. He settled in Tacoma in 2013. With over two decades of experience as the owner of Rocketman Creative, specializing in Brand Strategy and Identity Design, Chris brings a unique blend of creativity and purpose to the classroom. Teaching holds a special place in his heart. Coaching high school track for several years and embarking on a journey to gain teaching credentials before life took a different turn, he is eager to channel his passion for education into nurturing young minds in the realm of art. Chris approaches teaching with tact, mindfulness, and a commitment to fostering self-reflection in his students, so that they may unearth their true selves and make a lasting impact through their creativity.
Family plays a central role for Chris and his adventurous partner, Sarah. They are grateful to have found Chavitos for their creative and energetic boys, Elliot and Taylor. This balance of family life fuels his belief in staying present and finding solace in the healing power of nature, particularly the forests of the Pacific Northwest.
Carlos (he/him/his)
Music/cooking/art teacher.
He is a Native Spanish speaker.
Carlos Caicedo Carlos is from Colombia, and has lived in Europe and several US states. When he was a teenager, he made the life-changing discovery of the guitar and the power of music, which opened a portal to cultures, languages, time periods, places, and endless perspectives. This passion led him to pursue studies as a Classical Guitarist in college and eventually to Europe as a Flamenco Guitarist. Along the way, Carlos's curiosity has extended to literature, health, cooking, baking, languages, dance, art, and entrepreneurship, as well as software development and alternative education. In the classroom, Carlos fosters integration through various elements such as storytelling, movement, music, art, hands-on experiences, and self-expression. Su palabra favorita en español es: “Amanecer”, signifying a new dawn. Carlos dreams big to break down the barriers between disciplines, creating a harmonious blend of knowledge and creativity! Carlos lives with his wife Corey, twin girls Emiliana and Mariela, and their dog Lulo.
Chavitos Nature Program