“Half TEaCHERs, HALF MAGICIANS”

As a wise kid once accurately described us…

MEET THE WONDER TEAM

With a wide variety of backgrounds and perspectives, the Wonder Leaders are creative educators who guide the kids in the adventures, creating a well-resourced & caring environment to put them at ease.

Woman (Marta) stands on old building structure in a red dress

Marta is an awarded education innovator from Spain with a multicultural and multilingual background. She received her Masters’ in Public Administration from Columbia University and served as an education policy-maker for the NJDOE and UKDfE before founding School of Wonder. As an educator, Marta loves to lead the adventurers from a place of curiosity and child-like wonder.

Learn more about our founder

Woman (Katie) smiles in front of large ice blocks in an orange coat

Katie is a school teacher from Kentucky with a passion for incorporating play into learning and life. She has worked with a wide age range of children from preschoolers to adults and believes that building community and focusing on social emotional skills is an essential part of childhood development. She is always looking for opportunities to laugh and loves to sing, dance, and tell stories.

Woman (Tamar) smiles in front of a very green background in a black tank top

Tamar is a holistic educator and musician with a mission to celebrate life and share her love for Mother Earth. She is a founding member of Siendo Naturaleza (Being Nature) a life project based in the cloud rainforests of Perú and since 2020 has been creating and leading educational programming for the children of the local communities. With an MSc in Holistic Science from Schumacher College, Tamar approaches all learning from a place of connection, weaving the natural sciences, deep ecology, and her love for music into interdisciplinary educational experiences.

Woman (Alli) smiles in front of a tree in orange overalls

Alli Gabbert is a speech therapist from Minnesota who has been helping kids gain confidence and self-trust for over ten years. As an educator, she loves collaborating with kids to help them express themselves, but she’s most passionate about helping them bring wonder, curiosity, and warmth to every aspect of their lives. Alli brings that same enthusiasm to her own life, as well, dabbling in everything from watercolor painting and group singing to aerial silks and outdoor adventures.

Angela is an artist and graphic designer from San Francisco. She is experienced in teaching children's theater and after school youth programs in filmmaking and journalism. She loves to build containers for fun that inspire creativity and curiosity, especially through arts & crafts. She is dedicated to creating a safe, expressive environment that fosters play-based learning. Her hobbies include biking, dancing, linocut printmaking, costume creation, and soup.

Amanda is an outdoor educator focused on environmental justice movements, stewardship, and science and art education. She loves to lead backpacking and canoeing adventures with teens in the Appalachian Mountains and play creatively in the woods of Prospect Park with kids at School of Wonder. She also loves making compost, collecting rocks, and learning fiber arts.

Gabriel is a theatre-maker and environmental educator dedicated to making sustainability a lived, joyful practice. She has led education programs everywhere from the middle of creeks to quiet library corners, weaving art, play, and an ethic of care into every lesson. She loves teaching outdoors, especially about water ecology and stewardship, alongside reading plays, storytelling, and staying curious through play! Gabriel is overjoyed to collaborate with School of Wonder and learn even more

Woman (Christine) smiles in front of a tree with a black turtle neck

Christine is an educator, professional dancer, and a published children’s book author. With a Bachelor's degree in Special Education from the University of Maryland, she has a wealth of experience in the field of education in the United States and internationally. She is also a Registered Dance/Movement Therapist from New York University. Christine loves to tap into the child’s natural curiosity and creativity while creating a safe and loving environment.

Dr. Julie Vincent is a Shiatsu practitioner, a passionate biologist, yoga instructor, birth doula, and mom. With a Ph.D. in Water Ecology and ten years of experience in academia, she channels her background in science to deepen her understanding of ancient practices and to impart her knowledge to others.
Julie's multifaceted expertise and embodied, compassionate approach make her a skilled and dedicated facilitator and advocate of holistic health. She is committed to empowering others by skillfully weaving the realms of body, mind, and spirit to foster health & harmony in all aspects of life. Julie has always felt a calling to teach & share her knowledge. She is also trained as an acupuncture detox specialist (NADA providers) at NYHRE (harm reduction program in Harlem, NYC) where she volunteers once a week.

Madi is a performer, educator, and child at heart. She’s spent over 15 years working with youth in a variety of educational environments. Her favorites include working as a Park Ranger taking kids on trips through the woods, running an alternative homeschool collective called Cottonwood Cooperative, and training caregivers and parents in NVC and child-led learning strategies. And, of course, being an immersive performer/educator with School of Wonder! She’s thrilled to have been involved with School of Wonder in its evolution through the years.

Stacey is a therapist and educator from Alabama who has a background in activism, language instruction, and food service. They have worked in formal and informal teaching spaces with children and adults learning English and Spanish, and now work primarily as a counselor for couples and families. Stacey enjoys dancing (wherever), writing, and biking to the beach.

Jules is a theatre maker and teaching artist whose work centers on play, embodiment and community building. With a background in theatre and youth education, she has taught at NDI New Mexico, Desert Montessori School, JCC of Rochester and Camp Szarvas in Hungary. She also served as a Peace Ambassador Facilitator with Tomorrow's Women, empowering teenage leaders through dialogue and creative expression. Julie weaves movement, voice and imagination through her independent vocal practice, Embodied Expression, while drawing on earth based spiritual modalities that foster connection to self, community and the natural world. She loves climbing mountains, singing with flowing water and dancing down tree lined streets.

Isabelle is a musician & teaching artist from Chapel Hill, NC living between Brooklyn & Los Angeles. She loves teaching music in NY public schools & individual songwriting lessons and is developing a pedagogical method called Mandala Music. Isabelle is earning her Master’s in Depth Psychology & Creativity and believes that play, curiosity, and exploration are key for wellness for people of all ages. She loves jamming, exploring nature, learning new languages, dancing, reading, meditating, and making collages!

Ana is a performer, producer, teacher, and kids enthusiast from Brazil. She holds a BFA in Drama from NYU Tisch School of the Arts. Her background in youth education includes 6+ years teaching art and theater, as well as chess through storytelling! She has always found working with kids fascinating, as it allows her to connect with her own silliness and have a whole lot of fun. She believes the best way to teach little ones is through adventure and stories, which is why she is especially passionate about the School of Wonder’s approach.

Also the Founding Co-Artistic Director of Et Alia Theater, an artistic organization founded and led by international women, Ana is eager to build connections that go beyond barriers of nationality, language, culture, and gender.