Our Team

Learn more about our Advisors.

Escuela Verde staff come from diverse backgrounds, but all share the same belief: that education is the key to personal liberation, that students must be owners of their education, and that learning is a life-long journey we are all traveling. All of our certified educational advisors are not only expert in their fields (some hold or are completing Master’s and PhD degrees), they are passionate about sustainability, student-led learning, and restorative justice. All have many years of teaching experience and comply with DPI standards.

2024-2025 Staff

Laurel Cutright

Collaborative Leader

(414) 988-7960 ext. 305 |

Kim Johnson

Collaborative Leader

Kim is excited to lead at a school where the focus is on supporting students as they learn how to lead happy, healthy and meaningful lives. She loves how project based learning helps students connect their curiosities to the content they need to successfully graduate high school and prepare for the world beyond.
Kim earned a B.S. in Biological Sciences, teaching certification, and an M.S. in Administrative Leadership, all from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee.
While working at Boerner Botanical Gardens, Kim met students and staff at Escuela Verde and knew she found her educational home.
Kim was born in Phoenix, AZ and lived throughout the United States before calling Milwaukee her hometown. She has 3 children and two three-legged pitbulls. In her free time she loves audio books, gardening, swimming, biking, camping/backpacking, crafts, and spending time with family and friends.

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Jeremy Ault

Advisor

As a passionate and certified Special Educator, Jeremy Ault believes that all students have a right to an empowering and accessible education–one that promotes democracy, agency, and justice. He believes that all students have a right to pursue their passions and dreams. He believes in the power of diverse learners to change local and global communities. 

Jeremy holds a Master’s of Special Education from Cardinal Stritch University, and a Master’s in Global History with concentrations in African, Islamicate, and Chinese History from Marquette University. He also holds his SPED Director and Pupil Services License.  He is a former recipient of the Trinity Fellowship (Marquette). Jeremy brings 15 years of teaching experience to Escuela Verde in both traditional and non-traditional settings. He has taught in Ohio, Pennsylvania, the Czech Republic, and Nigeria. His interests include multicultural special education, reading instruction, curriculum modification, and project-based learning. 

He serves on the board of Wisconsin’s Chapter of the Council for Exceptional Children. He is also an adjunct instructor at Carthage College in the Department of Education. He is a member of  Friends of Africa Wisconsin and is a community adviser to the Africana Studies Program at Marquette University. He proudly speaks his heritage language (Czech/Slovak). He enjoys spending time with his wife Jamie and their two daughters Ada and Madeline. In his free time, he rock climbs, bikes, hikes, and plays music. He loves Flying Nun Records, birds, Pittsburgh sports, and the Appalachian Mountains, where he was born and raised.

(414) 988-7960 |

Monica Beltran

Advisor

Monica is happy to continue her journey at Escuela verde as the Cafe/Food & Consumer Advisor. She was born in Leon Gto. Mexico and began cooking with her grandmother at a young age. Her grandmother’s cooking has always been her inspiration and she shares these teachings with her students. Monica comes from the food industry with a degree in Baking and Pastry Arts. 

Food has brought her into education in a very unique way. Her goal is for her students to cultivate skills in the kitchen that can be carried throughout their lives and shared with their families and community. She teaches beyond the classroom and  encourages her students to explore a variety of careers in foodservice. Monica enjoys crafting, puzzles, music, plants and most of all spending her free time with family. You can find her in our student run coffee shop, Newline Cafe!

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Santiago Chavez

Advisor

Santiago Chavez was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. As a son of two immigrants, his parents always instilled the value of hard work and education from a very young age. With this in mind, he went on to graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with his Bachelor’s of Science. 

His passion for serving his community in the realm of education was further enhanced while in college, when he saw all the opportunities that existed; opportunities he probably wouldn’t have known about if he didn’t further his education. This was all made possible by the merit-based, full tuition scholarship he received: The Chancellor/Powers-Knapp Scholarship. In addition to the tuition award, this program provided a structured engagement program for underrepresented minorities to attend UW-Madison, and it included individualized advising, a supportive peer network, leadership development, and mentorship opportunities. It was here that Santiago realized the importance of being surrounded by peers, mentors and advisors that look just like you, have faced similar struggles, and are passionate about seeing you succeed.

As someone who grew up in the south-side of Milwaukee and attended his neighborhood schools his entire K-12 education, he is aware of the challenges many students in these communities face both inside and out the classroom.

After graduating in 2016, he began to informally mentor and advise high school students in his family on the steps they needed to take to get accepted to college and explore their passions. Wanting to make a bigger impact, he began formally volunteering as a mentor in programs like Nativity Jesuit High School’s Mentor Program and Milwaukee Public School’s Black and Latino Male Achievement Mentor Program. He now joins us as an advisor with a science focus. He is excited to play an active role as an advisor, implementing what he has learned, while teaching science.

Santiago’s main goal is to motivate people, especially inner city youth, to pursue their dreams, academically and in life. He wants to be the bridge to both higher learning and work opportunities that will help enrich student life as well as provide exposure to different careers. Things he never had in high school.

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Rusty Edlund

Advisor

Born and Raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Rusty has nearly a decade of teaching experience in the subject areas of History, Economics and Government.

Rusty is grateful for the experiential learning opportunities that Escuela Verde provides for our students, and excited to continue to expand his practice with Project-Based-Learning after years of experimenting with it in a traditional school setting.

One of EV’s greatest assets is the Newline Cafe. Rusty is a professional barista with over 12 years experience, so being able to teach students about espresso has been one of Rusty’s favorite ways to connect with the community. 

Rusty’s hobbies outside of teaching includes music and horror movies, and when not at school, you can find him jamming with friends or walking his dog, Shelby. 🐕

(414) 988-7960 |

Lamar Fenner

Advisor

This is Lamar’s second year at Escuela Verde as a Special Education Advisor. He brings 8 years of experience working in Special Education, and is very grateful for having an opportunity working at a school he never knew existed before. He enjoys that the kids have so many opportunities to do a project on what they love and can express it through their work.

Lamar has a passion working with the youth and giving back to the community and Lamar has been coaching basketball for 18 years and is currently coaching varsity sports at Milwaukee Bradley Tech High School. He is very passionate about building relationships with our students and building up their confidence, so they can be good people within themselves and in their community. During his free time Lamar does freelancing in Graphic Design for local business owners. 

(414) 988-7960 |

Julio Fuentes

Technology Coordinator

Julio Fuentes is the IT Coordinator at Escuela Verde and El Puente. He is responsible for managing the technology needs of staff and students. Julio earned a bachelors of computer science from Saint Norbert College. He started working as technical support soon after, helping people with their technology, computer and software issues in Green Bay. In early 2020 he moved to Milwaukee and eventually found his way to working at El Puente. In 2023, he transitioned into the IT Coordinator position at El Puente and Escuela Verde. Julio loves learning, helping people and solving problems and his favorite part of working at Escuela Verde is being able to do just that.

(414) 988-7960 |

Patricia Gomez

Parent Coordinator & Bilingual Aide

Patricia works as a Bilingual Parent Coordinator at Escuela Verde.

This is Patricia’s sixth year at Escuela Verde. Born in Colombia, adopted into the Lakota tradition. She brings her passion and love for teaching that has been formed through the Restorative Practices from Indigenous perspectives of the Americas, and International Mindfulness program that promotes lovingkindness and holistic approach to life. Bringing these two practices together through the mission and vision of EV of having a meaningful lifestyle emconpasses the experience that helps the students, parents and the community to connect with one another with their uniqueness and acceptance. She brings to her practice the cultural sensitivity and awareness of her Colombian background and immigrant experience.

Patricia loves hiking, reading, traveling, engaging with communities from all over the world and spending time with her daughter, husband and family.

(414) 988-7960 |

Elizabeth Gonzalez

Administrative Coordinator

Elizabeth Gonzalez is excited and honored to be part of the excellent team at Escuela Verde. It is a privilege for Elizabeth to work with the students and parents of Escuela Verde.

Past positions she has held in the community have included work as a Bilingual English/Spanish Medical Interpreter. She has worked and volunteered in different clinics. She is delighted to be serving others! As a descendant of a Mexican family, she thanks her parents for teaching her the values and principles of life.

She loves spending time with her wonderful husband Miguel and three loving children, Valeria, Natalia and Victor. She’s also a proud parent of an Escuela Verde graduate. She has always believed that the key to success is education and that our youth are our future.

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Amy Kranz

Advisor

Amy is a mother, life-long learner, and seeker with a decade of experience homeschooling four kids (including two who eventually attended Escuela Verde!). She completed her master’s and doctorate in Psychology through Saybrook University. Psychology and mental health have been the central theme of Amy’s academic and professional work. That theme has taken form as scholarship in the history of depth psychology, teaching yoga and training yoga teachers, attending 30+ births as a doula, and creating a community to support young families and reproductive justice. Amy believes that we are all wired to learn continuously and educational justice requires breaking down our limited beliefs while expanding what and how we learn.  One great query for this is, “What am I not seeing? How can I expand my understanding?” Amy is committed to intersectional justice through mindfulness, curiosity, and action. 

During her free time, Amy tries desperately to strengthen her green thumb and to get time for the dozen or so books she is reading at one time. Ask her kids, and they’ll also warn you that she is liable to break into song and/or dance at any time.

(414) 988-7960 ext. 309 |

Sarah Luther

Art Educator & Escuela Verde Newline Cafe Barista & Manager

Bio coming soon.

(414) 988-7960|

Sara Lopez

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Born and raised in Milwaukee, Sara graduated from Escuela Verde in 2018 and returned in Spring ‘23 to be a part of the team. Sara is CEO of a family operated small business with her two brothers and is a loving pet mom to her sweet pup Bruno.

Sara is currently working to obtain her degree in Holistic Nutrition and Wellness. She brings her passion for holistic healing, empowering youth, art & creativity, and her culture and traditions from her indigenous and Puerto Rican roots.

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Marielena Sandoval

Advisor

Marielena is proud to be part of Escuela Verde as a Special Education Advisor. She was born in Yahualica, Jalisco and emigrated to Milwaukee with her family when she was 10 years old. As a DACAmented student, Marielena had to work multiple jobs and attend night/ virtual school for 8 years in order to reach her life-long dream of becoming a teacher. Some of her greatest role models were teachers that guided her and advocated for her as she learned to navigate this country. Marielena has had the opportunity to work with her community for the last 9 years in a variety of different roles and schools. One of her favorite parts of being a Latina educator is using her roots to connect with her students and their families to help them navigate their unique paths and reach their full potential. Marielena’s goal is to educate students in all aspects of life and be an example that you can reach your dreams even when it seems impossible.

Some of Marielena’s passions include, but are not limited to: education, hiking, art, yoga, social justice, gardening, creating meaningful relationships, and co-parenting her two year old son, Ander. 

One of the greatest investments that she believes in – is to empower the youth and provide them with the skills necessary to create a world filled with empathy, inclusion, empowerment and love.

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Ted Snyder

Advisor

Ted spent many years working as the technical director and entomologist at a large pest control company and serving as a public health officer in the US Army.

Because of his work experience as a scientist, in his classes students don’t just sit quietly in rows, taking notes while listening to lectures. Instead, they are out of their seats, talking, working together, solving problems–and learning content because they can’t solve the problems without knowledge. Students go outside, collect water samples, measure lichens on trees, then come back to the classroom to study their findings. They read maps, data tables for lead poisoning and other environmental hazards and look for connections. They build dams, solar arrays, and wind farms to generate power. And also, along the way, they learn teamwork, critical thinking skills, problem-solving, and perseverance, all key attributes for the leaders of tomorrow.

(414) 988-7960 |

Eric Schulz

Advisor

As a dedicated advisor at Escuela Verde, Eric is passionate about fostering a dynamic and innovative learning environment for our students.

This is Eric’s second year in education and second year at Escuela Verde. He graduated college from Winona State University with a degree in Social Studies Education. While in college, he learned about the advantages to a Project Based School, like EV and he is a firm believer that Project Based Learning empowers students to become critical thinkers, problem solvers, and lifelong learners.
In the classroom, he is committed to creating a nurturing space where students are encouraged to explore, question, and collaborate. Through carefully crafted projects, he aims to ignite their curiosity and inspire them to take ownership of their learning journey.

One of Eric’s core beliefs is that education extends beyond the walls of the classroom. He actively seeks opportunities to connect classroom learning to real-world challenges, helping students see the relevance of their studies in the broader context.
Eric is excited to continue this journey of exploration and growth alongside our incredible students and fellow educators at Escuela Verde. Together, we will continue to push the boundaries of traditional education and prepare our students to excel in an ever-evolving world.

(414) 988-7960 |

Joey Zocher

Executive Director

With nearly twenty years of urban science teaching experience, Joey is a passionate teacher researcher with scholarly interests in ecopedagogical praxis and scientific literacy with urban youth.

Joey believes Escuela Verde’s student-centered, project-based learning approach to teaching and learning is the missing link to student success. Through integrating sustainability and restorative justice into a school-wide curriculum, students not only have the ability to make learning relevant to their lives, but are enouraged to take action for positive change in their communities. Drawing from her experience as the Urban Ecology Center’s Washington Park program director, she is passionate about including community voice and resources to provide authentic experiences for all students.

Joey’s hobbies include playing music in several independent bands, playing roller derby with the Brewcity Bruisers and spending time with family and friends restoring native prairie, wetlands and creating a permaculture orchard on a small plot of land in central Wisconsin. Joey received her B.S. in biology, psychology, women’s studies and secondary education and M.S. in environmental education at UW-Stevens Point. She completed her Ph.D. in Urban Education with a specialization in curriculum and instruction and science at UW-Milwaukee. She has taught graduate and undergraduate courses on curriculum ideologies and science pedagogy at UW-Milwaukee and has been an active board member for numerous local, state and national boards including Milwaukee Urban Gardens, Brewcity Bruisers, Wisconsin Association for Environmental Education and the North American Association for Environmental Education’s Environmental Justice Special Interest Group.

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