Our Instructors
Vanessa Santos
She/They has been teaching kids Outdoor Sciences and Earth Based Art Pedagogy since 2004. Their background pulls from Pedagogical studies with the LGTBQIA Childcare Program in San Francisco, CA. Furthermore her instruction at East Los Angeles College Video Production; Santa Monica College Photography and Screenprinting; Cal State Fullerton Television Production and Photography; Motion Pictures and Video Programming at SF Academy of Art give,a variety of facets to the curriculum provided thru T.H.E.A. While living thru extensive volunteer work w/ the Portland, OR Nuts About Nature After-School Program and Waldorf Village School in Portland, OR featuring Nature Based and Steiner Foundational Teachings she realized the deep need for Outdoor Unschooling of kids and while working w/ Cores of the Junior Nature Conservation League in Algona; Iowa and 4H Community Co-ordinating/ Programs as a former 4H coach and Club Leader years later she was able to help children form much needed relationships with the multiple realities existing in the Natural World . Originally from Los Angeles, CA. since 1999 they have mentored w/ veteran practitioners in Metaphysical Studies ranging from Ancient Mexica Wisdom, Reiki Master Certification, Tutelage in The Tradition of the Crone and Wise Grandmother Ways. These mentorships were located in San Jose, CA. Portland, OR. Woodstock, NY. Burt and Cylinder, IA. Trained formally in Planting for Wildlife/ Botanical Science and creating Native Plant and Animal Habitats @ The Fullerton College Arbouretum in 1999. In 2005 their core disciplines in Biodynamic Principle in Beekeeping and Earth Care helped to create new Earth-Keeping techniques in the Spiritual and Physical Realm. Additionally, as a community Nature Awareness Advocate they have developed and taught Wild Weed Education/ Ecology Foundations and Art based curriculum for the Algona, Iowa Community Garden; Kossuth County Water’s Edge Nature Center; Kossuth County Child Edu. Instructor; Dubuque, Iowa Classes on Reuse and Cultural Preservation; Manchester Public Library in Iowa Classes for Community Enrichment and served as public speaker/ educator for farm to table practices w/ small community farms located in North Central Iowa. They also ran the Homeschoolers of North Central Iowa’s Art Program. Vanessa Santos has been featured in Pomelo Mag, Crystallizations Zine, Gone Too Soon Here Forever Zine, Muff Mag and Eco-Crips and performs/ organizes public event Earth Based Ceremonies and Rituals most recently in Highland Park, CA. Pasadena, CA. Mt. Washington and Glendale, CA. Additionally Vanessa also co-curates a collaborative Art Community Platform Project called Seraphim Dream w/ Sasha Zamani. They currently live/ work in Idyllwild and Los Angeles, CA.
~ Apply to be a Instructor ~
For class proposals as a mentor or potential to instruct thru T.H.E.A. email submissions to:
terraheaveneco.arts@gmail.com