In 2024, our family of four sold most of our belongings, left Seattle, and set out on a year of travel to immerse our young children in diverse cultures and perspectives. As our eldest approached school age, I explored various educational paths—traditional schools, worldschooling hubs, homeschooling, and unschooling. While I craved the flexibility of global learning, my educator’s mind sought structure. With my sister-in-law already leading transformative programs for older children, it was a natural step to join forces and create immersive, place-based learning experiences for young scholars.

With a Master in Teaching from the University of Washington and over a decade of experience in U.S. public schools, I have worked with diverse learners, including multilingual students, gifted and neurodivergent children, and those facing trauma. Beyond the classroom, I’ve led coding initiatives for K-6, served on diversity and inclusion teams, coached Girls on the Run, and developed urban school gardens. My passion lies in designing meaningful, interdisciplinary learning experiences that inspire curiosity, connection, and growth—meeting each child where they are and fostering a love of learning through real-world exploration.

Shahanah Matsumura

Find out more about our lead educator and founder Lisé: