Raven Canyon Academy Wonderschool

Our Teachers

Natalie Brown — Director & Lead Teacher

Natalie founded Raven Canyon Academy in 2022, bringing a decade of classroom experience and a passion for hands-on, bilingual learning. A CSUN alumna with a B.A. in English and a credential in both English and ESL instruction, she previously taught in Los Angeles Unified School District, where she blended art, science, and language to engage diverse learners.

Community service has always been at Natalie’s core—from creating a still-thriving tutoring and sports program for underserved youth, to providing one-on-one academic support across K-12. Now settled in Acton with her husband and three children, she channels that same energy into Raven Canyon, preparing every child for success with creativity, compassion, and a deep understanding of the education system.

Krisian – Assistant Teacher

Krisian brings warmth, dedication, and five years of experience in childcare to Raven Canyon Academy. Originally from El Salvador, she moved to the U.S. in 2006 and is fluent in both English and Spanish. Known for forming strong bonds with children, Krisian is passionate about helping young learners grow and thrive. After recently relocating from Texas, she and her family are thrilled to be part of this welcoming California community. She’s honored to support the students and staff at Raven Canyon and looks forward to making a positive impact every day.

Kellyn – Assistant Teacher

Kellyn joined Raven Canyon Academy with a deep, personal passion for caregiving. A proud mother of four, she brings over a decade of experience as a stay-at-home mom and IHSS caregiver for her son with severe disabilities. Her journey has shaped her into a calm, capable, and compassionate presence in the classroom. Kellyn’s positivity, energy, and natural connection with children—especially infants—shine every day. She’s excited to continue growing in early childhood education and aspires to become a lead teacher or director in the future.

Cassie – Substitute Assistant Teacher

Cassie brings a wealth of experience and heart to Raven Canyon Academy. Formerly the owner of a beloved in-home daycare in Acton, she made the decision to close her program after the birth of her youngest and relocate to a nearby town. Now serving as our highly skilled and deeply valued substitute teacher, Cassie is known for her calm presence, strong instincts, and nurturing spirit. A passionate lover of animals, nature, and self-sufficient living, Cassie homeschools her own children and remains deeply connected to the Acton community through family, friends, and local life. Her grounded approach to learning and love for children make her a trusted and inspiring presence whenever she steps into the classroom.

Testimonials

“Natalie made me feel safe right away. She is genuine, friendly and knows what she is doing. I love that she will take pictures throughout the day and send them to me, it put me right at ease. Our daughter loved her first day and we are looking forward to our next chapter here.”

Philosophy

At Raven Canyon Academy, we believe children learn best through a balance of play, creativity, and thoughtful instruction. We introduce curriculum as soon as children show interest—often between ages 2 and 3—and gradually build skills through daily hands-on learning. By ages 3 to 5, students are actively engaged in activities aligned with the California Preschool Learning Foundations.

Our days include a rich mix of artistic expression, dramatic play, one-on-one support, group collaboration, music, movement, and more. We follow the children’s lead, designing thematic units around their interests—like frogs, butterflies, or ecosystems—and revisiting topics each year to deepen understanding. We also care deeply about animals and teach empathy and responsibility through class pets and nature-based learning.

Every child grows at their own pace, and we’re here to nurture their curiosity, confidence, and love of learning every step of the way.

About our program

t Raven Canyon Academy, we embrace a blended approach to early childhood education. Rather than follow one strict philosophy, we draw inspiration from several to support the unique learning styles of every child.

We incorporate Waldorf-inspired methods through hands-on projects and cooperative play, play-based learning that provides ample time for self-directed creativity in open-ended play areas, and nature-based experiences using animals and plants in both our curriculum and free play environments.

Our days include a balance of teacher-led activities and child-led exploration, with mixed-age group time as well as smaller, age-specific learning sessions. We use a scaffolded curriculum adapted for all developmental stages, guided by the California Preschool Learning Foundations. Even our youngest learners are exposed to engaging, age-appropriate educational activities every day.

We are also deeply committed to nurturing kindness, empathy, and social responsibility. Our curriculum is influenced by the Teaching Tolerance Social Justice Standards, which focus on identity, diversity, justice, and action. Through stories, play, and discussion, we help children become confident in who they are, respectful of others, and ready to stand up for fairness and inclusion.

Above all, we strive to create a space where children feel safe, supported, and inspired to grow—not just academically, but as compassionate humans.