Today we’d like to introduce you to Claudia Vera Rosas
Hi Claudia, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I come from Azcapotzalco, a working class borough in the northeast of Mexico City. I was raised by my maternal side of the family for 3 years when my mother immigrated to Los Angeles in the 1980s. My maternal grandparents were amazing people who taught me the importance of faith and creativity in a world that is constantly trying to shame working poor people. I came to the United States at the age of ten to reunite with my mom who has been a tremendous source of inspiration and support in my life. After graduating high school, I went to El Camino Community college for two semesters and decided I wanted to travel through Mexico and Latin America. I backed packed and supported myself by making jewelry for 6 years. After I came back to the US, I enrolled at Los Angeles City Community College and then transferred to UCLA to major in art and arts education. I then got my Masters in early childhood education from California State University Los Angeles. I love textile art and do weaving, embroidery, and macrame. I’m a birdwatcher, love camping, hiking and tending to my garden. I am also a mom to an extraordinary 13 year old girl who plays the double bass, guitar, piano and is an avid climber.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I am a first-generation business owner. I went to school for art and education so I have had to learn from scratch how to run a business. Though I enjoy learning, I had never experience this level of stress. I have had to learn how not to overwork myself. I am very proud of being an immigrant woman of color business owner because the journey has not bee easy. In a society that puts profit over people, I work very hard so Matilija is a place where we honor the dignity of our teachers, students and parents. Matilija does not have workers or clients. We are a community. This has come with its own challenges as we need to sustain our business while also being attentive to our vision. But working alongside an incredible group of humans who are talented, thoughtful and just amazing has made this journey easier.
I think that some of the obstacles that people who run nature-based programs also face the reality of climate change, which has an impact on land-based education. A case in point is the recent Eaton fire, which forced many of us to find temporary places to continue our programs indoors safely. In addition, another obstacle some of us have to face (as outdoor educators) is having to deal or negotiate the restrictions on public space. At times those restrictions are reasonable but many other times are arbitrary and prevent the community from enjoying being in nature.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about M a t i l i j a Escuela Bosque?
Back packing through Latin America was an experience that profoundly transformed me and inspired me to open a land-based school. While traveling I witnessed different ways in which children learned through a relationship to the land. Matilija is a land-based, bilingual preschool and Summer Camp. Teachers and students spend the whole day outside relating to the earth that sustains us. Our days are spent hiking with two, three and four year olds playing, practicing nature observation and learning about our Tongva plant and animal relatives. It is a play based preschool program informed by Indigenous epistemologies. One of our core values is to guide our children in understanding our kin with all life forms and to rekindle that connection to nature that our current life styles have somewhat severed. During the moths of June and July we welcome former students and older kids for Summer Camp (and we have so much fun).
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Since I started Matilija, I have seen more nature-based schools and programs. this is exciting because I think children can gain so much from this way of learning. I am hoping that these type of programs get more support and funding.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://matilijaescuelabosque.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matilijaescuelabosque4everyone/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudia-vera-rosas-12516620b/
Image Credits
Tawny Alipoon
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