Meet Our Team

Our Founder and Executive Director Lisa spent her early childhood roaming the foothills of Los Angeles, climbing backyard fruit trees, and hunting for ants in her family’s garden. She comes from a long line of farmers and naturalists but only rediscovered her love of birds, insects, and trees as an early educator. Before launching the Acorn School in 2023, she spent a decade in Reggio-inspired and DCPS schools teaching children ages two to five. She holds an MA in Education and Human Development from The George Washington University, an MPP from the Harvard Kennedy School, and a Certificate in Early Education Leadership from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She is also a certified Pollinator Stewart and Master Naturalist. She has spent many hours hiking, camping, and exploring with her husband and two children, and is a novice beekeeper, amateur photographer, obsessive gardener, and avid collector of natural specimens.​

Instructor José, an Ecuadorian environmental conservationist with 13 years of experience, has dedicated his career to protecting natural spaces and fostering connections between people and nature. His expertise spans environmental interpretation, protected area management, and conservation project development, with a particular emphasis on integrating Indigenous communities in preservation efforts. Before relocating to the United States, José served as manager of Yasuni National Park, Ecuador’s second-largest national park in the Amazon, renowned as one of the most biodiverse places on Earth. He holds an interdisciplinary master’s degree in environmental Conservation from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he studied the intersection of social and humanitarian sciences to address environmental challenges. José has collaborated with governments and leading NGOs—including Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Conservation International (CI), and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)—to develop conservation initiatives rooted in community engagement. Currently, he works as an environmental interpreter for Montgomery Parks, MD, leading nature programs and camping workshops for children and adults. Through environmental interpretation, José combines his passion for illustrating nature with conservation education, using nature journals as a tool to inspire curiosity, artistic expression, and a deeper connection to the land.

Alena has spent her career fostering learning and community connection across two continents. A lifelong backpacker and camper with deep roots in the DMV outdoors, she brings both a personal love of nature and a strong foundation in education to her work with young people. She holds a Master’s in Education from Tufts University and served as a Peace Corps Community Health and Education Advisor in rural Malawi, where she designed and facilitated programs for learners of all ages in dynamic, cross-cultural environments. Most recently, she has developed training curricula and led participatory learning programs for diverse teams across Southern Africa. Alena believes the best learning happens when it is place-based and curiosity-driven, and she is excited to help children build a lasting sense of wonder, confidence, and belonging in the natural world through exploring their hometown.

Growing up in Washington State, Jackson spent as much time as possible exploring, learning, and playing outdoors. His passion for the natural world led him to study Public Policy and Environmental Studies at Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania, where he deepened his understanding of the relationship between people, communities, and the environment. Since then, Jackson has combined his love of teaching and nature through a variety of outdoor education roles, including working at a summer camp for people with disabilities and an outdoor school in North Cascades National Park. He is especially passionate about expanding access to outdoor experiences and helping children discover that they are not separate from nature, but an important part of it. Outside of work, Jackson enjoys running, biking, jumping into lakes whenever he gets the chance, playing chess, and watching and playing sports—especially soccer.

A Maryland native, Leyla grew up with the D.C. area as her backyard, spending weekends exploring Smithsonian museums and wandering through the U.S. Botanic Garden, one of her favorite places in the city. She is currently studying Environmental Science at Towson University, where she continues to explore her interests in biology, sustainability, and the natural world. Leyla’s love for the outdoors began through Girl Scouts, where she spent her childhood hiking, camping, learning survival skills, and building confidence through outdoor adventures. More recently, her grandmother introduced her to the world of sustainable farming, which has become both a passion and a meaningful way for her to connect with the environment. A lifelong swimmer, Leyla has also always felt at home in and around the water. Whether she is swimming, snorkeling, hiking with friends and family, camping around Maryland and the D.C. area in her family’s Airstream, or getting lost in a good book, Leyla is happiest when curiosity leads her outdoors and inspires her to keep learning.

Although she was born and raised in Massachusetts, Maya quickly fell in love with the DMV area after moving to Maryland to study Biology at the University of Maryland. Drawn to the natural world from an early age, she discovered a particular fascination with entomology—the study of insects—which has become both an academic interest and a favorite hobby. If an insect crosses her path, Maya is likely to stop and admire it, identify it, and share what makes it so remarkable. She especially enjoys introducing children to the often-overlooked world of insects and helping them discover the important roles these tiny creatures play in local ecosystems. Beyond her love of bugs, Maya enjoys trying new foods and drinks, discovering new music, and cycling through a wide variety of hobbies and creative pursuits. She hopes to continue exploring and learning in the beautiful—and wonderfully buggy—Maryland and DC area while sharing her enthusiasm for nature with others.

Sisi (she/they) is a lover of trees, the ocean, and laughing loudly. Raised between Norfolk, Virginia and Wheaton, Maryland, Sisi is a multidisciplinary dance-theater artist, educator, and community builder whose work is rooted in the values of justice, storytelling, and connection instilled by their family. A graduate of the University of Maryland, where they studied Theater and Cultural Anthropology, Sisi has spent more than a decade teaching and performing across the United States and internationally in Colombia, London, and Brazil. They are the Founder and Artistic Director of Soul Shine Theater Garden, a touring dance-theater project that explores joy, healing, and our interconnectedness with nature through storytelling, movement, and creative expression. As a teaching artist, Sisi creates playful spaces where children and adults can explore, imagine, and connect with the natural world through the elements of earth, air, water, fire, and light. They are excited to bring their creativity, joy, and love of community to Acorn this summer.

Katherine is a mom of two and an early childhood educator. After spending a decade in pre-k classrooms in Washington, DC, she shifted to a chapter of adventuring with her little family. With a passion for child development and Masters in education and literacy instruction, Katherine loves to find places with her kids that encourage and inspire creativity, imagination, challenge, and exploration. She feels deeply that even the smallest outdoor adventures can yield the biggest benefits. Her favorite spots for learning experiences are nature centers, libraries and cozy cafes.

Sophia is a rising senior and psychology major at Fordham University. She grew up on Capitol Hill after spending the first five years of her life on a houseboat in Southwest D.C. Sophia believes nothing is more peaceful than being on the water and loves boating, swimming, snorkeling, hiking, and anything that involves being outside and experiencing nature. One of her favorite things is to camp at Assateague national seashore, where horses run wild! Despite her love of nature, Sophia is a city girl at heart and enjoys exploring in her hometown of Washington, D.C., as well as in her adopted hometown of the Bronx.

Benji grew up in Washington State exploring the forests, mountains, and waterways of the Pacific Northwest, developing a deep appreciation for the natural world and the communities connected to it. A recent graduate of the University of Washington, he double majored in Environmental Studies and Political Science with a minor in International Studies. As a nature enthusiast and educator, Benji is passionate about inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards and advocates. He has worked as an instructor at both Camp Kalsman and Islandwood and brings four years of experience teaching Hebrew. His favorite camp memories involve making s’mores around the campfire and hiking beneath towering evergreen trees. Having also spent time living in Mexico and Costa Rica, Benji has seen firsthand how different cultures connect with their local environments, create art, and take action to care for the places they call home. He speaks Spanish, is currently learning French, and is excited to begin a new chapter in Washington, DC while exploring all that the East Coast has to offer.

From an early age, Jacob could often be found searching for insects in the dirt, playing sports with friends, or volunteering at local animal shelters to help cats find new homes. Originally from New Jersey, his curiosity about the natural world eventually led him to pursue a degree in Environmental Studies at George Washington University, where he deepened his interest in ecology, conservation, and environmental stewardship. Along the way, he has worked as a field ecologist at Idaho National Laboratory collecting vegetation data in desert ecosystems, conducted research on wetland changes and sea level rise with GWU’s Gedan Lab, and served as an aquarist responsible for animal care and enrichment at a local aquarium. Whether birdwatching, sharing fascinating wildlife facts with friends, or skipping rocks across a pond, Jacob is happiest when exploring the outdoors. Outside of nature, he enjoys beach volleyball, basketball, rock climbing, playing guitar, and reading epic fantasy novels. He is excited to help connect young people with the natural world and inspire the next generation of conservationists, scientists, and environmental leaders.

As a child, Lucy spent countless hours at daycare catching crayfish, building fairy houses, and putting on plays for parents, developing an early love for creativity, exploration, and the outdoors. That passion eventually led her to study Environmental Science and Policy at the University of Maryland, where she also earned a minor in Spanish. After graduation, Lucy discovered her love for education while working in violence prevention and public health programming at the university’s health center. When she is not exploring outdoors with her dog, Moni, she can often be found tending her garden, waiting for her dahlias to bloom, creating floral arrangements, or foraging for unique additions to her bouquets. An avid reader, aspiring quilter, and nature enthusiast, Lucy is excited to bring her creativity, curiosity, and sense of fun to summer adventures that help children build meaningful connections with the natural world.

Originally from Indianapolis, Indiana, Octaivia discovered her passion for birds after moving to Houston, Texas and noticing the striking differences in bird species across regions. What began as curiosity quickly grew into a calling. Now based in the DMV area, she is a bird guide, experiential organizer, and environmental justice advocate who helps people connect with the natural world through meaningful outdoor experiences. Octaivia serves as the Minister of Birding for Audubon’s DC Bird Alliance Chapter, where she curates programs that explore the richness of bird life in urban environments and foster a deeper appreciation for local ecosystems. Her tours have been featured in The Washington Post and at the National Press Club. Through her work, she advocates for environmental equity and greater access to green spaces, inspiring others to protect birds and the habitats they rely on.

With a passion for storytelling, social justice, and environmental stewardship, Stephen hopes to use journalism and film to help people better understand the world around them. Originally from Northern Virginia, he is currently studying Journalism at the University of Southern California and plans to pursue a career in documentary filmmaking or political journalism. Stephen has long enjoyed working with children and has coached baseball, led summer camps, and recently spent a gap year teaching second grade at his former elementary school. During the summer, he can often be found hiking, spending time at the beach with friends and family, or cheering on a baseball game. Coming from a family of eight, Stephen values connection, curiosity, and community. In his free time, he enjoys learning piano, playing and watching baseball, and discovering hidden treasures while thrifting. This summer, he is excited to help children develop a deeper appreciation for nature while encouraging exploration, creativity, and wonder.

Instructor Abby is a Virginia native who recently spent five years in Atlanta pursuing videography and environmental work. Her interest in the outdoors—and more specifically, environmental justice—sparked while she was creating a video about the climate strikes in Washington, DC. After completing a B.A. in Film and Media from Emory University, Abby jumped into environmental education. Her most recent endeavor involved teaching high school students about the environment while maintaining trails and preserving wildlife habitats at Arabia Mountain in Georgia. Abby is passionate about gardening, birding, and all things animals, especially dogs and cats! In her free time, she volunteers at local gardens and animal shelters. She also enjoys playing outdoor sports with her friends, including basketball and flag football. Abby spent so much of her childhood climbing up trees that she convinced her father to help build a treehouse for her and her siblings. As the eldest daughter of six, family is incredibly important to her. She wants to help create a healthier planet for her younger siblings and the children of today.

Growing up in the coastal town of Rockport, Massachusetts, Emma developed an early love for creativity, community, and the outdoors. She recently completed her sixth year as a Pre-K teacher with DC Public Schools, including four years at Peabody Elementary, where she has been inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach to education. Emma believes children are the protagonists of their own learning and values the many ways they express themselves through art, movement, play, construction, and dialogue. Acorn's commitment to creative, play-based, community-oriented, and nature-focused learning aligns closely with her educational philosophy. As an afternoon teacher in the Acorn atelier, she looks forward to fostering discovery, artistry, and joyful exploration through these many "languages" of learning. Outside of the classroom, Emma enjoys practicing yoga, singing along to her favorite music, traveling, swimming—especially in the ocean—and laughing loudly with friends and family.

Haley loves to climb every boulder, catch every frog, and play every game! Originally from Seattle, Haley has spent the last 4 years in the DMV, and loves to spend her outdoor time fossil and artifact hunting in ancient waterways and abandoned refuse. She has a bachelor's in anthropology and a Teaching English as an Other Language (TESOL) Certification from American University. She has been a teacher, tutor, and trusted adult for pre-k to adult learners. She has 4 years of experience in tutoring, after-school coordinating, and curriculum design through Americorps and most recently at DCPS.

Leddy is originally from Charleston, South Carolina and spent his childhood going to the beach and hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains. A recent graduate of the George Washington University with a double major in Public Health and Women’s and Gender Studies, he is pursuing an MPH in Maternal and Child Health. Leddy loves working with children, especially in the realms of outdoor access and food justice. Before joining Acorn in 2025, he worked as a summer camp counselor, a classroom assistant, and a youth mentor at an urban garden. He also enjoys playing guitar, doing arts and crafts, and going to vintage markets. This summer, he is looking forward to fostering kids’ connections to the natural world and to each other.

Raised just outside of Boston, Massachusetts, Lucy spent her childhood building fairy houses in the woods, collecting hermit crabs along the shore, and following winding streams back to the Charles River. Summers spent at nature camps and working on a homestead in Maine deepened her curiosity about the natural world and inspired a lifelong love of the environment. Alongside that passion, Lucy has always been drawn to the visual arts. She began practicing photography in middle school, learning on a film camera and developing photographs in the darkroom, and recently graduated from American University with a double major in Photography and Environmental Science. Lucy finds joy in helping make the world a better place, whether through environmental conservation efforts or by creating welcoming spaces where people feel seen and supported. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, painting with watercolors, playing Ultimate Frisbee, and watching a good storm roll in. She is excited to help foster a summer filled with creativity, curiosity, kindness, and connection to the natural world.

Todd is happiest when exploring the outdoors with his family, whether that means skiing in the mountains, hiking wooded trails, searching for wildlife along the beach, or discovering the plants and animals living close to home. A father of two young boys, he spends much of his free time outside fostering curiosity, adventure, and a love of learning through nature. Although he holds a master’s degree in Computer Science and spent much of his career working in IT, Todd recently followed his passion for education and outdoor learning into a new professional chapter. One of his favorite family traditions is visiting the Oregon Coast each year, beach hopping in search of wildlife and ending the trip with an outdoor concert at the Gorge Amphitheatre in Washington State. Whether observing birds, frogs, bees, trees, insects, or sea anemones, Todd believes there is always something new to discover in nature and is excited to share that sense of wonder with young learners.

From elementary school Earth Day fairs to rain garden projects and field trips across the DMV, Koryn's love for the natural world was nurtured by her grandparents, teachers, and community in Prince George's County, Maryland. Growing up surrounded by opportunities to explore nature and learn about environmental stewardship sparked a passion for both education and advocacy that continues to guide her today. At Vanderbilt University, she studied Environmental Sociology, exploring the relationships between people and their natural and built environments. Since then, Koryn has worked in environmental and social justice organizing, including as a City Blossoms Fellow, where she witnessed the transformative power of gardens and green spaces, and as a Sunrise Movement organizer, helping young people develop their advocacy and leadership skills. Currently, she works as a substitute teacher with Prince George's County Public Schools, where she especially enjoys working with early childhood students. Koryn is excited to continue sparking joy, curiosity, and connection with the natural world at Acorn. When she's not teaching, you can usually find her in transit, touching grass, or searching for the best Thai food in DC.