Who we are
SOL is built by educators and families who believe in a different kind of school — one rooted in community, nature, and the real world.
Founder & Director
With over 12 years in alternative education, Mariana builds socio-ecological impact through Project-Based Learning, Conscious Discipline, and the Reggio Emilia approach. She grew up in Guanacaste and studied Bilingual Education and Biological Sciences.
Founder & Director
An educator for eighteen years across traditional, PBL, Waldorf, and Montessori spaces. A mathematician at heart, she lived in the US and Argentina before settling in Costa Rica to help build SOL.
Permaculture Teacher
Abby reconnects students with the earth through food, farming, and regenerative design, grounded in the first permaculture principle: observe and interact.
Life Skills Teacher
A Costa Rican educator and project manager passionate about permaculture, survival skills, sustainable construction, and learning by doing.
Herbalism, Theatre & Kombucha
Sascha brings herbalism, fermentation, theatre, and years of mentorship with children and families. She believes children learn best when connected to the earth, community, and themselves.
World Studies & ELA
Stephanie has taught in Thailand, China, Turkey, the United States, and Costa Rica. She educates the whole child through curiosity, empathy, and respect.
Math & Music
A teacher and music therapist from Bilbao who uses music for connection, regulation, and learning, with deep respect for each child’s rhythm.
Art & PE
Multidisciplinary artist teaching Art, Spanish II, PE, and after-school art. She chose Guanacaste to create close to nature.
Preschool · Margays
Itzi teaches SOL’s youngest students with presence, play, and carefully prepared days for the Margays class.
Preschool · Margays
Annie is a calm, kind preschool teacher whose warmth helps every child feel seen and cheered on.
Jaguarundis · ELA & Spanish
Silvia is an empathetic, funny teacher who makes children feel at home. Her favorite hobby is floating in the ocean.
Chef
Netta cooks the meals that sustain the school, teaches students to prepare food, and invites everyone to try something new.
Campus care
Ayda has kept the school clean for a long time, always helping and joking with the kids.
Campus care
Gabriela helps keep the campus clean, organized, kind, and dependable.
Equestrian Club
Jessi teaches horse care with patience, giving students time to connect with the animals.
Ocean workshops
Isa teaches marine ecosystems and ocean care — sharks, manta rays, and Costa Rica’s biodiversity.
Fashion design & marketing
Jocelyn leads fashion design with calm patience, showing students they can make something out of anything.
Jiu jitsu & skate PE
Sean teaches jiu jitsu through games, breathing, and discipline, and leads Skate PE at the local park.
Admin & workshops
Caro runs hands-on workshops — soy candles, natural soap — and keeps learning playful and interactive.
Student support
Becca is always around to help with missions, listen, and take time to talk with students.
