Hi, I’m Ruth, and I am excited to facilitate experiential, integrative learning that nurtures creativity, confidence, personal growth, and meaningful relationships with the natural world and one another!

I am currently the Elementary Music Teacher at Crestone Charter School, teach ecology across programs in the San Luis Valley, and work as a professional musician. Alongside this, I actively engage in ecological restoration in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains through partnerships with organizations including E3KFM, the Rio Grande National Forest Service, Fish & Wildlife, and Saguache County. This work informs my teaching, allowing me to bring real-world environmental stewardship into the classroom.

I hold a Foundation Degree in Fine Art from De Montfort University, and my arts classes are often rooted in nature, using materials such as clay, wood, and leaves to explore texture, sound, and form. This approach supports sensory learning, creativity, and a deeper connection to place through culturally relevant, place-based practices.

My approach aligns with Inspire Roots’ Expeditionary Learning (EL Education) model, emphasizing deep, long-term learning cycles that support inquiry, collaboration, and real-world application. I am delighted to be forming partnerships with Aspen Song Kids, Amigos Bravos, Taos Land Trust, Micah Roseberry, SWMS, and regional farm school programs to co-create a rich, culturally relevant, place-based curriculum grounded in community knowledge and ecological awareness.

I design integrative music lessons that balance flexibility with progressive learning, supporting academic growth across core subjects. Students build musical fluency through solfège, elementary music theory, color-coded materials, and hands-on props. The curriculum encourages exploration alongside structured collaboration and individual development through games, ensemble work, songwriting, and active listening. Lessons align with school themes to ensure continuity and integration, and meet New Mexico elementary music standards, building skills in rhythm, pitch, performance, composition, and cultural awareness while fostering creativity, expression, and confidence.

I am excited to be joining Inspire Roots and look forward to connecting with students, families, and the community we are building :).