Staff at Chagrin Valley Learning Collective and other self-directed learning programs serve many different roles and consider themselves to be facilitators rather than teachers. They work with members in areas such as upholding safety, problem solving, administrative duties, and maintaining buildings and grounds. They communicate with parents, organize field trips, maintain finances and budget, and more. There are no staff duties that members can’t join in and contribute to if they would like.
Erin Rodriguez
Program Staff and Parent
Erin is a life-long learner, searching for ways to live a happy life by building values that she hopes to share with those around her. A former soccer and lacrosse player, half-marathon runner, and art educator, Erin now focuses on being a staff member, a mother, lacrosse coach, animal lover, gardener, and cyclist. She strives to better understand and utilize the twelve principles of permaculture with her husband Ryan and children Franklin and Emjay, as well as with the learning collective, family, and friends. She focuses daily on best breathing practices, stretching, being creative, reading, dancing, playing sports, organizing, laughing, and so much more! A key value that her grandmother taught her and that she tries to live by every day is to “have fun always!”
Kyote Yost
Program Staff
Kyotē loves to nurture the world around them. She helps care for the children, animals, and gardens of her beloved community as much as she can while balancing student life. Kyotē attends Kent State University, from which they will soon be graduating with a bachelor’s degree in both Environmental Studies and Psychology. These combined curriculums helped Kyotē develop an intersectional understanding of wellness and healing for Earth’s collective family. Some of Kyotē’s favorite ways to foster her own wellness are singing, creating art, exploring outside with loved ones of all species, and slowing down to cherish life’s many precious moments.
Kyotē is committed to intergenerational empowerment. She believes our youth deserves the same level of respect as our elders, as they have just as much to teach us. She is ever inspired by children’s magical imaginations and creativity. Kyotē has extensive experience engaging with youth of all ages in a variety of indoor and outdoor settings including elementary schools, state parks, farmer’s markets, summer camps, and more. She is grateful for any opportunity to cultivate safe, supportive spaces where youth can explore themselves and their worlds freely. The CVLC achieves this as successfully as Kyotē has ever seen, and she is so honored and excited to become a part of it!