Luisa is passionate about educational environments and experiences within the context of cultural and artistic exchange. From Mexico City, in 2012 she founded ArcDanz International Dance Program|Taller Internacional,  which offers dance, movement and music education focused on pre-professional training and new works creation within a multicultural community. As a former dancer she trained at The Juilliard School and in the scholarship program at The Ailey School. She comes from a family committed to self-directed lifelong learning and education. She grew up in a Montessorian educational experience, is surrounded by Montessorians in her family at large and continues to participate in this realm as a parent of two young children. She is committed to working with artists and educators in facilitating cultural exchange, building community through learning and offering rich educational programs. Always seeking an optimal combination of timeless and innovative educational formats.

Alyx Ruzevich is an MPA student and Paul D. Coverdell Fellow at New York University’s Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, specializing in International Policy and Nonprofit Management. She also holds a BA in French and International Development Studies from the University of Montana. Alyx has worked as a youth experiential educator for several years, including conservation service-learning projects in state parks, immersive cross-cultural exchanges in Senegal, and the first ever 4-H Positive Youth Development program to be launched in West Africa. As she continues her career in public service, Alyx is dedicated to inspiring the next generation of leaders and changemakers to be lifelong compassionate, critical, and agile learners. 

Maurizio is a committed teacher and educator from Italy and based in Stockholm, aiming to support students in pursuing their inner talents and passion for knowledge. 

He was the first in his family to graduate from high school and to receive a college degree, a Masters of Art in Primary and Special Education Teaching from the University of Turin. He has worked in Italy for the public school system and for an innovative educational project, open lab, and digital platform called La Scuola Possible. He wrote some research papers about equity and interculturalism in Italy and personalized education.

Before moving to Stockholm, he spent invaluable time in the United States as an intern at Glacier Lake School (St. Ignatius, MT), Agile Learning Center (NYC), and A&I Sudbury School (Baltimore, MD). He has also visited ALC Cottonwood, Brooklyn Free School, Pono School, and Brooklyn Apple Academy in New York City and South Mountain Co-op in Montclair, New Jersey. He has worked at Stockholm International School as a Learning Support teacher in Middle school and he is currently back working in Primary school, where he feels at home.

He loves studying and exploring fields far from where he has always been, he loves tennis and table tennis, international politics, journalism and to discover and learn about people who have changed and are changing the world. When he was younger, before writing and directing four theater plays, he faced stuttering and he did not imagine art could help him to overcome it and open him up to the world.

Sara has been involved in education professionally for 15 years.  After receiving a Bachelor of Science in Education & Social Policy from Northwestern University, she taught Special Education grades 3-6 in New York City as a corps member for Teach for America. Sara earned a Master’s of Science in Education and went on to work for Montana’s Office of Public Instruction for 5 years.  Sara worked in special education compliance, professional development and spearheaded the beginning of the State’s School Mental Health Initiative.

For the last 7 years, Sara has lived between Helena and New York creating learning environments. She founded and directed a micro school for kids ages 2-8 in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.  Credentials aside, Sara’s passion is curating space and facilitating conversations that lead kids to make their own discoveries.

Christopher graduated from The Cooper Union School of Architecture in New York City. Architecture came after a degree in studio art (emphasis on photography and painting) and work as a teacher, chef, and exhibit designer for a science museum. His architecture thesis “The Walking School” focused on education through the lens of peripatetic exploration. Through the creation of wearable classrooms and mobile pieces, students can fully explore the natural and cultural landscape around them. Instead of an insular system of classroom education, the things the students carry become the space for investigation. As an architect, Chris finds building and making with kids to be the ultimate inspiration. As co-founder of Cottonwood ALC, Christopher continues to explore curiosity and learning as the catalyst for design.

Ed Noonan (1949 - 2020) was an artist, a storyteller, Founding Cottonwood Board Member and pillar of support for our community from the start. Ed spent his life creating arts activities and writing imaginative stories that explored the world around him. He was a resource for Cottonwood ALC using his skills in creative ways to support the self-directed learning of the children and of himself and was always available to provide information, insight, and support for them in their ongoing adventure of learning. Ed is and will always be greatly missed.