Guide Credentials

What makes our guides right for Evoke learners?

Ms. Laney– Head of School/ Middle School Lead Guide– worked with large groups of children for over 30 years as a teacher for preschool, Kindergarten Kumon, performing arts organizations, and science summer camps | college at William & Mary– Elementary Education and Neuroscience | 20+ years executive management of service organizations | 10+ years in curriculum design | built an award-winning, 250+ student competitive dance school in Houston | certified by Guidepost Montessori as a Montessori Guide in Early Years and Elementary Education | super volunteer for community organizations | children’s theater producer | long time business owner & people organizer | Her skin in the game– mom to three learners at Evoke!

Ms. Mariana- Adventure & Discovery Guide- Bio coming soon! Experienced and upbeat Socratic Guide with a bilingual education degree and years of experience and research in Learner-driven education at a former Acton Academy.

Ms. Alejandra- Sparks I Guide- Bio coming soon! Bilingual early elementary guide with education degree and many years experience in Learner-led educational settings including international Montessori and ESL schools.

Ms. Larissa- Part-Time Cross Studio Guide- degree in Communications | EdTech and Higher Education coach and mentor | charter school experience | SAT Prep teacher for The Princeton Review | lifelong learner | loves to inspire imaginative play in our youngest learners | passionate about helping others and acting as an accountability partner and coach to help students succeed!

Now Hiring- Sparks II Guide for 2027!

Our Helpers:

Ms. Allie (mom to a learner at Evoke, local business owner, and nanny) & Ms. Emily (pre-med student at A&M, tutor and nanny)

Teacher Ratio

Evoke's current learner to guide ratio is a maximum 15:1 in Sparks Labs per studio. Combined Adventure & Discovery studio maximum is 20:1.

Traditional schools have classroom teachers to maintain discipline, dispense knowledge and assign passing grades. The teacher-to-student ratio at most traditional schools is 1 adult to 30 students, and we expect one elementary school teacher to be an expert in all subjects. The reality is they cannot possibly be an expert in multiple subjects with the limited time of a busy school teacher.

At Acton Academy, the teacher-to-student ratio is nearly infinite because our Eagles have access to experts from all over the world — from Sal Khan to Richard Feynman— plus Socratic coaching from peers; mentors from scores of professions; and heroic role models from antiquity to the present.

At Acton Academy we equip learners to engage teachers, coaches, experts and mentors whenever they need one, rather than to be captive to a single teacher-as-authority figure.