Daily Inspiration: Meet Amanda Montoya

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Montoya.

Hi Amanda, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Trellis began with a simple but powerful need shared by its founders—Kim, Amanda, and Jen, who were all longtime homeschooling parents in Northeast Los Angeles. As they supported their own children’s learning journeys, they encountered a consistent gap: there were simply not enough educational opportunities designed specifically for tweens and teens outside of traditional school systems. Programs were often too young, too academic, not inclusive, or simply too far away.
Rather than accept the status quo, they decided to build what they wished existed: a space where young people aged 10 to 20 could learn in ways that felt relevant, inclusive, and rooted in community. Drawing on their collective experience with alternative education and a shared belief that learning should be joyful and driven by curiosity, they launched Trellis.
It started small—just informal classes in Kim’s house with local families—but the response made it clear that something special was forming. Over time, Trellis evolved into a dynamic learning community, connecting youth with mentors, educators, and peers in hands-on, collaborative environments. Whether through arts, sciences, civic engagement, personal projects, the list is vast; Trellis helps young people explore who they are and what they care about in a setting that grows with them.
Trellis continues to grow organically, just as the name suggests—providing a supportive structure for learners to climb, branch out, and thrive on their terms.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road—building something outside the traditional education system has its challenges.
One of the biggest challenges early on was simply visibility. Because Trellis exists outside the usual school infrastructure, it took time to connect with families who were looking for something different but didn’t know where to find it. Word-of-mouth helped, but growing a community from the ground up required a lot of trust-building and consistency.
Another struggle was navigating the balance between structure and flexibility. Some families sought something that resembled more of a traditional classroom experience, while others wanted open-ended experiences to honor each learner’s individuality, and still others desired a combination of both. Crafting a program that could accommodate diverse interests, neurodiversity, and a wide age range (10–20 years) was complex and required numerous iterations and feedback (something that still ebbs and flows).
There were also logistical hurdles—finding accessible, affordable spaces to gather, sourcing funding to support facilitators and materials, and figuring out how to sustain the work while keeping it community-centered and financially accessible.
And finally, there was the emotional challenge of doing something new and different. It meant stepping away from what we knew, facing skepticism at times, and holding onto a deep belief that this work matters—even when it felt uncertain.
But each challenge was also a catalyst for growth. Every struggle helped shape Trellis into what it is today: a living, evolving community rooted in care, creativity, and trust. A running statement that started as a joke, but has come to be the founders’ guiding phrase, especially when times are difficult, is “lifelong learners”.
The newest and perhaps most urgent challenge we’re facing is California Assembly Bill 84 (AB 84), which threatens to cut all homeschool charter funding for centers like Trellis. If passed, this bill would have a catastrophic effect, not just on Trellis as an organization, but on the many families who rely on us as a core part of their children’s education.
For many in our community, charter school funds are what make participation in Trellis possible. These funds help cover access to the vast array of classes and experiences that Trellis offers. Without them, countless families—especially those who have already left traditional schooling due to unmet needs—would be forced to abandon the learning paths that are working for them.
AB 84 threatens more than just funding; it also threatens educational freedom, creativity, and the right of families to choose the kind of learning environment that best suits their children. We’re advocating fiercely alongside other learning communities and concerned families to raise awareness and push back against legislation that would strip resources from the very people who need them most.
This fight is about more than one bill. It’s about protecting a growing movement of learner-centered, community-driven education—and making sure that alternative models like Trellis can continue to thrive and serve the next generation of changemakers.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
We are one of the only programs in Northeast LA that offers a wide selection of classes and enrichment opportunities specifically tailored to tweens and teens. This makes us a vital resource for families looking for meaningful learning experiences during these critical developmental years.
We offer an inclusive and affirming environment that actively welcomes LGBTQIA+ students, neurodivergent learners, and anyone seeking a respectful, safe, and identity-affirming space. Our commitment to inclusivity is not a side note—it’s foundational to who we are.
Parents and students alike are motivated to join us because they seek more than just academics—they’re looking for a sense of community. Trellis fosters deep relationships, respectful dialogue, and social-emotional growth, creating an environment where students feel seen and supported. Our hands-on, project-based approach allows students to follow their interests and work at their own pace, making Trellis a natural fit for homeschoolers and families seeking more personalized, responsive education.
One of our proudest accomplishments—and the clearest sign that we’re doing something right, is the way our students feel about Trellis. When the semester comes to an end or a break rolls around, it’s not met with excitement to be done, it’s met with disappointment. Time and again, when we ask young people where they want to be, the answer is immediate and resounding: “Trellis.”
That kind of response can’t be forced. It comes from building a space where learners feel seen, valued, and genuinely excited to show up. It means they’re not just going through the motions, they’re engaged, connected, and growing in ways that matter to them. For us, that joy, that sense of belonging, is everything. It’s what makes the hard work worth it.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
If we could offer one piece of advice to those just starting out, it would be this: don’t go it alone. Building a learning community, especially one that challenges traditional norms, is incredibly rewarding, but it’s also intense, emotional, and full of unexpected challenges. This work is not for the faint of heart.
There will be moments of uncertainty, exhaustion, and reinvention. You’ll constantly be adapting—rethinking structures, reworking ideas, learning from missteps, and trying again. And that’s okay. In fact, it’s necessary. Flexibility and humility are just as important as vision and planning.
What’s made the journey possible for us is our triad: Kim, Amanda, and Jen, each bringing different strengths, perspectives, and experiences to the table. We trust each other, we listen, and we all believe deeply in what we’re building. That shared commitment and mutual respect is what holds Trellis together, even when the path gets rocky.
So if you’re just starting out, build your support system. Find your people. Be open to change. And most importantly, stay rooted in your “why.” If you truly believe your community needs this, and you’re willing to grow alongside it, then you’re already on the right track.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://trellislearning.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trellislearning?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trellislearningcommunity?mibextid=wwXIfr&mibextid=wwXIfr
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/trellislearning?trk=profile-position