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 18 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. Jose has finished his 5 years of Waldorf Training and is now certified.
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! 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.
Zuleimy De La Cruz Ulloa is a recent graduate from the University of Washington, Early Childhood and Family Studies program.
Before working at Chavitos Nature School, she worked at The Little School as an Extended Day Teacher and Summer Camp Counselor. She also volunteered at Green Lake Elementary School.
Zuleimy believes nature provides students with an opportunity for authentic learning and curiosity. She also believes in building upon each child’s strengths and assisting students to feel confident about themselves and their role in their community. Her goal is to learn alongside her students and colleagues. In the future, Zuleimy wants to pursue a Masters in Teaching. In her free time, Zuleimy enjoys hiking, going to parks, spending time with her cat Yuki, and listening to music.
Zuleimy (she,her,hers) teaches afternoons at the preschool and is a native Spanish speaker.
Blair (she, her, hers)
Teaches mornings 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.
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) Co-Director for Elementary ages, teaches Math and leads Friday field trips.
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.
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.
Jessica (she/her) K-8 Student Liaison. Low El Academics/Art/Science.
Jessica Kolva (she/her/hers) was born and raised in Spokane, WA, and moved to Tacoma in 2014 to begin a preschool program and revamp a K-5 after-school care program. From her earliest memories, Jessica has been digging for natural clay, crafting 'potions' from the Silver Birch catkins, and hand-pollinating pumpkin flowers in suburban lawns of her childhood. This love of the natural world pairs wonderfully with Jessica's love of teaching.
With a teaching certificate and Master's in Education, Jessica has taught in various classroom settings, with a primary focus in early childhood Special Education, supporting families through first-time evaluations and navigating IEPs. After the birth of her second child, and a hiatus from teaching in the public-school classroom, Jessica began exploring alternative education models. She stumbled upon the amazing Chavitos community, with its beautifully intentional balance of nature and guided exploration. Jessica is excited to blend her two lifelong loves at Chavitos in stewarding the land and the next generation of curious nature enthusiasts.
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.
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.
Gillian (she/her) Art / Nature teacher
Gillian Locascio-Drutis has been deeply connected to the natural world since childhood, spending her youth exploring the forests and streams near her home.
Her academic path led her to environmental science and local food systems, with professional work supporting public health and human rights in Panama and Guatemala. In every role, she has sought opportunities to work with youth, from running academic summer camps for children of refugees to teaching ecology classes and middle school English.
Since returning to Tacoma in 2014, Gillian has also worked as a substitute teacher in public schools, including as a bilingual Spanish-English teacher in dual language programs. She is a proponent of teaching through games, adventures, and creative projects, and is especially fascinated by the power of peer learning in multi-age classrooms.
In her personal life, Gillian is a vegetable farmer and mother who enjoys singing, learning languages, making art, and spending time outside.
Bethany (she/her) K-8 Art Teacher
Bethany McConnell began her journey in nature school education as a substitute teacher (playworker) at Magnolia Forest Preschool in Lynnwood, WA. She champions play-based learning, helping students develop creative thinking, problem-solving, and risk assessment skills while encouraging a deep love and respect for our natural environments.
A lifelong painter, illustrator, and mixed-media artist, Bethany draws inspiration from abstract, natural, and feminine influences. As a former sign artist for Trader Joe's, she is passionate about sharing the joy, expression, and skills of art with her students at Chavitos.
An enrolled tribal member of the Three Affiliated Tribes (Hidatsa), she operates her studio, Buffalo Woman Creative (derived from her native name). Her work has been featured on the Indigenous Creatives Roster by yəhaw̓ Indigenous Creatives Collective, including a solo exhibition at Seattle Rep Theater.
Bethany grew up in Montana, moved to Washington in 2006 to study graphic design, and is grateful to call the PNW home. She now lives with her husband, two sons, and two cats.
Scout McLaughlin (she/her) has a background of working in public schools as a special education teacher and a school garden coordinator. She is currently spending her time working on a friend's farm, going camping as much as possible, and learning how to be a mama to Toddler Cosmo. Scout and Cosmo both love being outside, being in the water, and playing with dogs.
Scout McLaughlin (she/her) Scout is a Sped. Guide to a K-8 student.
Chavitos Nature Program