FOUNDER/HEAD OF SCHOOL

Alicia Olivieri is one of the founders and the head of school at Cosmic Roots. With a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from UT Austin, Alicia is deeply inspired by positive psychology and attachment theory. Her passion lies in creating a nurturing environment for children and empowering adults to reach their full potential. She has meticulously hand-selected a strategic and intentional team to bring Cosmic Roots to life.

Alicia brings extensive experience in business management, having successfully guided multiple businesses to financial success, including a bookstore that fueled her love for learning and education. This experience has greatly influenced her approach to developing a unique curriculum for Cosmic Roots, blending various teaching philosophies with a primary focus on child-led, project-based nature education.

In addition to her leadership role, Alicia will be teaching adolescent math and financial literacy, further contributing to the holistic educational experience at Cosmic Roots.

aolivieri@cosmicrootsgeorgetown.org

FOUNDER/DIRECTOR OF OUTDOOR EDUCATION

Katy, a Texas A&M University graduate with a degree in International Business, is a bilingual, certified Texas educator with 20 years of experience in outdoor education, specializing in progressive, sustainable, and accessible growing practices. As a founder of Cosmic Roots Nature School and the Director of Outdoor Education, she brings a wealth of experience from working in public schools across multiple states and internationally, in Mexico and Chile, where she focused on building nutritional literacy through agriculture.

For the past five years, she has also worked and trained in the Montessori method, running the orchard and outdoor education program for a local Montessori school. At Cosmic Roots, Katy is leading the creation of a food forest designed for sustenance, connection, demonstration, and education, with the goal of inspiring, educating, and advocating for transformative change in our food systems. The founding of Cosmic Roots is rooted in her passion for empowering students and fostering community connections.

kford@cosmicrootsgeorgetown.org

ASSISTANT HEAD OF SCHOOL

Michelle Wong, is a proud mom of three energetic kids ranging in age from 3-9, and the Assistant Head of School at Cosmic Roots. Originally from San Antonio, TX, she studied Business Administration and spent years in hospitality sales and event planning. Several years ago, she shifted her focus and left the workforce to become a better partner, parent, and home educator; and lead a life of authenticity and peacefulness.

Her passion for holistic childhood education grew as she discovered and learned about different childhood philosophies, and found alternative education methods such as Montessori, Waldorf, Reggio Emilia, and Farm Schools. She has volunteered with the Cosmic Roots’ founders in different capacities for the last 3 years and believes in fostering a lifelong love of learning, both in and out of the classroom. She is excited to help build our village at Cosmic Roots, where families can find a nurturing community.

mwong@cosmicrootsgeorgetown.org

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

Maegan Kizziar is the Executive Assistant at Cosmic Roots, where she plays a vital role in ensuring the smooth operation of the school. Although she does not have children of her own, Maegan has a deep love for being around children and takes great joy in contributing to their growth and development.

With years of experience working in administrative roles within schools, Maegan is adept at managing tasks and supporting the needs of both staff and students. She has been a valued member of Alicia's team in various capacities for a long time, and her commitment to making sure everything runs efficiently and everyone is well taken care of is central to her role. Maegan’s dedication and organizational skills help create a positive and productive environment at Cosmic Roots.

mkizziar@cosmicrootsgeorgetown.org

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND PROGRAMMING

Darleen Rodriguez is a dedicated professional with over 20 years of operational expertise and nearly a decade of educational experience.

She led the Lualima Community Microschool for two years before merging it with The Roots That Bind Us to create Cosmic Roots Nature School. As a homeschooling mother of two, Darleen has over seven years of experience across microschools, enrichment programs, and charter schools, giving her a deep understanding of the unique challenges in education.

Beyond her educational focus, Darleen coaches small business owners and franchises on profitability and best practices. Her passion for community building is reflected in her leadership of natural-minded groups, including a nature co-op and a Crunchy Momma group focused on children's wellness. At Cosmic Roots, Darleen brings her expertise of school and business management to develop our educational programs and curriculum, and uses her educational experience to assist our adolescent guide.

drodriguez@cosmicrootsgeorgetown.org

CREATIVE DIRECTOR/OUTDOOR AND ARTS EDUCATOR

Ali Simmel, a native Texan from Fort Worth, is a mother of two feral girls, a certified Wilderness First Responder and Bio-Regional Herbalist passionate about nature-based healing and education. With a BA in Psychology and Studio Art, Ali is pursuing an MA in Art Therapy and aims to teach wilderness safety, herbalism, and emotional intelligence through the arts at Cosmic Roots.

Ali's experience spans teaching in various settings with a focus on student-led Waldorf and Charlotte Mason-inspired education, developing curricula, and volunteering/working with vulnerable communities. As an entrepreneur, she founded a small but successful art business and honed her marketing skills, contributing to the development of Cosmic Roots' visual and academic identity.

Ali is assisting our adolescent guide in specials, teaching fine art and music. Additionally she will be floating around the classrooms helping share her expertise, leading Farm Fridays with Katy, and assisting the After Experience Farm to Table program. Ali loves hiking, camping, yoga, traveling with her family, reading and learning, making art and music, and advocating for healing humanity and the Earth.

asimmel@cosmicrootsgeorgetown.org

PRIMARY GUIDE

Ms. Fatima is the Primary (ages 3-6) Guide at Cosmic Roots Nature School, bringing a deep passion for teaching and a commitment to fostering a positive learning environment. Originally from Ecuador, she has been a teacher since 2010, with experience across various educational levels in private schools in her home country. In the U.S., she served as an Assistant Teacher at a Spanish Immersion School in California and spent five years at Goodwater Montessori School, where she worked as an official Montessori Guide for the last two years.

Ms. Fatima holds a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Art Education and is AMI Montessori certified. As a bilingual educator, she integrates Spanish and art into her teaching.

Outside of school, Ms. Fatima enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Her husband works in Special Education, and they have an 18-year-old daughter in college, along with two dachshund dogs, Hugo and Hannah. She is excited to contribute to the learning journey of students at Cosmic Roots.

fhanson@cosmicrootsgeorgetown.org

PRIMARY GUIDE ASSISTANT

Zitlali Valdes, lovingly known as Ms. Z, is the co-teacher alongside Ms. Fatima for the Little Acorns in the Primary class at Cosmic Roots. With Puerto Rican and Mexican heritage, Ms. Z is fluent in both Spanish and English, bringing her cultural richness to the school's Spanish immersion program. She is dedicated to being a teacher who not only enhances a child’s learning but also provides the emotional support needed to help them grow.

Ms. Z holds a college certificate in floral design and plans to further her education with a teaching degree. Passionate about her roots, she is the cherished recipe keeper in her family, maintaining her abuela's culinary secrets. Her fond memories of growing up in Puerto Rico, surrounded by nature and enjoying fresh mangos from the trees, make her excited to teach at Cosmic Roots, a school that embodies the food forest environment she loved as a child. Here, she seamlessly blends her love for nature, education, and cultural heritage.

zvaldes@cosmicrootsgeorgetown.org

ELEMENTARY GUIDE

Viji Srinivasan is thrilled to be the guide for the Happy Campers (first and second grade) at Cosmic Roots this year. With eight years of experience in Montessori education, she brings a deep passion for teaching to her role. Viji holds a Master’s degree in Biotechnology and is currently pursuing state teaching certification for Kindergarten through Sixth Grade. She is excited to contribute to the nature-based learning community at Cosmic Roots.

Having lived in the United States for 17 years and originally from India, Viji is fluent in five languages. She enjoys sharing her diverse cultural background with her students and is inspired daily by her daughter, a proud fifth grader. In her personal time, Viji loves cooking, gardening, shopping, singing, traveling, and savoring coffee. She also practices yoga, enjoys outdoor walks, and her favorite colors are pink and orange.

vsrinivasan@cosmicrootsgeorgetown.org

ELEMENTARY GUIDE

April Hightower is one of our Happy Camper (elementary ages 6-12) guides and has dedicated the past 14 years to working with children, beginning her career in a daycare where she worked for 10 years. In recent years, she has been training in Montessori education and previously served as a Guide at Goodwater Montessori School. Currently, she is re-enrolling at Temple College to pursue a degree in teaching. April’s motivation comes from her own experience of not having a strong connection with her teachers growing up; she aims to be a safe and supportive presence for her students.

April is excited to join Cosmic Roots, where she looks forward to being creative and making a meaningful impact in her very own classroom.

ahightower@cosmicrootsgeorgetown.org

ELEMENTARY GUIDE ASSISTANT

Poovi Raj, an engineer turned child education enthusiast, is thrilled to join Cosmic Roots as a Happy Campers guide, where she will lead elementary math education. Inspired by her childhood in India—where she experienced farm-to-table cooking and attended school in nature—Poovi is dedicated to bringing a similar immersive, nature-based approach to her teaching.

Her passion for child-centered learning is enriched by raising and learning from her 3.5-year-old daughter, which deepens her commitment to fostering curiosity and discovery in her students. Poovi combines her technical expertise with a love for engaging, hands-on educational experiences.

Outside of teaching, Poovi enjoys dancing, painting, and cooking for family and friends. She also loves traveling, sky watching at night, and cherishes the spring season.

praj@cosmicrootsgeorgetown.org

ADOLESCENT GUIDE/TECH AND TREES DIRECTOR

Rachel Golden is the Adolescent Guide and Tech and Trees Director at Cosmic Roots. An Oregon native and Air Force veteran with a background in military fitness training, Rachel holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with a focus on psychiatric health.

Transitioning from a career in healthcare to education, Rachel is deeply committed to fostering a supportive environment for adolescent learners. She is passionate about integrating technology with nature-based learning and, alongside her husband Lance, has developed a curriculum that combines 3D printing and design with outdoor education.

In her role as Tech and Trees Director, Rachel leads the After Experience program. As the adolescent guide, alongside the specialist teachers, she fosters student interests wherever their heart may lead. Rachel, who is obsessed with and inspired by her two children, is excited to bring her expertise and enthusiasm to Cosmic Roots, where she supports students in thriving academically and personally.

rgolden@cosmicrootsgeorgetown.org

ART TEACHER

Djuli is the art teacher for the After Experience program at Cosmic Roots. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from UT Austin and brings a hands-on, exploratory approach to art education. With two children aged 5.5 and 7, Djuli understands the importance of creative play in childhood development.

Passionate about making art in various forms—including paintings, woodblock prints, and furniture building—Djuli's natural inclination to play and experiment translates well into her teaching. Her goal is to create a space where children can use art as a means to decompress and regulate, fostering both creativity and emotional well-being.

dewing@cosmicrootsgeorgetown.org

SITE MANAGER

Virgil Cecil, a Georgetown native, graduated from Georgetown High School and has a long career in the concrete industry, starting at age 14 and retiring at 63. Specializing in building schools, Virgil has a deep understanding of their infrastructure and operations.

With four children and five grandchildren, Virgil’s family has strong ties to education—his ex-wife was a school teacher and is now an elementary school principal, while their youngest son is an Elementary School Music Teacher.

At Cosmic Roots, Virgil’s role is multifaceted. He is primarily responsible for maintaining the facility, constructing roads and parking lots, and running water lines to support the garden. He is motivated by his friendship with Katy and his desire to be of service. His work reflects a transition from his rugged background to a role where he can calmly and lovingly support the children's learning and growth, drawing on the skills he has accumulated throughout his life.

vcecil@cosmicrootsgeorgetown.org

CO-FOUNDER

Melanie Rodriguez, Co-Founder of Cosmic Roots, is a realtor and accomplished entrepreneur who played a crucial role in bringing the vision of Cosmic Roots to life. With her business acumen and dedication, Melanie was instrumental in assembling the team and ensuring the school’s successful physical development. Today, she remains actively involved in the school's administration, working to maintain a healthy business flow and supporting the school's ongoing growth.

Originally from Cuba, Melanie was inspired to invest in this project due to her dissatisfaction with the education system in the United States. As a child, she loved school because nature-based, agricultural, and farm-to-table learning was a fundamental part of her experience. After moving to the U.S., she found her passion for education diminished due to the lack of similar hands-on, nature-centered learning. Driven by her personal experiences, Melanie is now dedicated to creating more of the educational environments she thrived in, believing they are essential for the well-being of children and vital to the future of education in the U.S.

mrodriguez@cosmicrootsgeorgetown.org