What is Genius Sprouts?
Genius Sprouts is a creative education studio honoring curiosity, craftsmanship, and the inherent genius within every learner through interdisciplinary, arts-integrated curriculum and hands-on workshops that weave together science, art, history, and storytelling.
Genius Sprouts orients toward cultivating the conditions that make room
for our innate genius to stretch and breathe and grow...
…the conditions that subvert those elements of schooling that dampen our spirits
…the conditions that instead allow our wise, curious, intellectual, and capable selves to sprout and take root.
Through Genius Sprouts we invite ourselves and our communities, over and over, into a deeper relationship with play & possibility, with ourselves and each other.
We know that new growth is possible at any age, and with that, we analyze and organize and design and dream and most importantly…we just show up and try.
Meet Ms. Kara
Ms Kara kept noticing this word intuitively flow out of her mouth when she created and held space in elementary school classrooms. “Genius!”
Such a strong word, some might think. Something to reserve for a select few…
But no singular word better described any one of Ms. Kara’s students, or the choices they made... "GENIUS".
The thing is- any seed can sprout given the right environment,
the necessary pieces in place, the right conditions. Much like seeds hold on to the proper nutrients for growth, waiting to sprout until the conditions are right, we come to this world with our own unique inclinations, abilities, and resources ready to feed and nurture our larger ecosystem when it is safe to do so.
Think about it. When have you felt scared to try? Unsafe to make a mistake. Under threat and suppressed? When have you felt free? Experimental? Open to trying? Excited to learn?
What conditions were in place that made that possible?
The thing is- our genius is right there- waiting to be watered. Waiting for us to give it the attention, to cultivate the space, to unlock the nutrients within.
Professional Roots
Accessing Our Creative Genius Through Storytelling
The Art of Natural Dyes
Woven Together Intro to Weaving
Herbal Dream Pillows
Sewing 101
Poetry & Prints
Printmaking for Change
Ethnographer; Graphic Designer; Communications Manager ~ Agency by Design Oakland
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Design approaches to communications grounded in Agency by Design's core values of emergence, joy, and shifting power
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Manage social media platforms and communications
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Develop impact reports and media rooted in authentic storytelling
Graphic Designer ~ Alive and Free School
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Design and illustrate culturally relevant early childhood curriculum for schools and homeschooling families.
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Design social media graphics
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Write, edit, and produce digital asynchronous, multilingual, multimedia learning resources
Owner ~ Kara Luna Designs
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Tailor and customize clothing for all ages and genders
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Brand and print custom clothing
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Design and silkscreen custom posters
Faculty & Curriculum Lead ~ Reach University
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Design, implement, and refine California credential program curriculum aligned to California state standards, CTC requirements, and Reach’s mission of practice-based teacher preparation.
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Teach and coach cohorts of teacher-candidates through interactive coursework that integrates theory, classroom practice, and culturally responsive pedagogy.
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Provide individualized coaching and feedback to candidates through observations, course assignments, and reflective practice cycles.
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Develop curricula, assignments, rubrics, and CalTPA support to ensure the program reflects research based best practices in the field and supports accreditation compliance.
Lead Teacher ~ Mills College Children’s Lab School
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Design and implement inquiry driven, Math, ELA, Science and Social Studies integrated units of study for 2nd and 3rd grade students
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Design, teach, assess and differentiate for student growth in Math and Literacy
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Coach and supervise education support specialists
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Collaborate on research projects focused on furthering the fields of Education and Psychology
Program Lead ~ Agency by Design Oakland
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Design and facilitate professional development series for teachers centering maker centered learning strategies, systems thinking, belonging and equitable practices for Bay Area schools and educator teams
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Lead fee for service programming for 8-12th Grade ELD teachers
Makerspace Camp Instructor ~
Neologix Labs Oakland
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Facilitate and design maker curriculum for elementary aged students focusing on fabrication, 3D design, and laser cutting
Early Elementary STEAM Lead Teacher
~ Education for Change
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Develop and teach culturally sustaining STEAM focused project- based units to Tk-2nd grades with real world implications and impact
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Coach Tk-8th grade teachers in building and implementing collaborative, interdisciplinary, project based units grounded in systems level thinking skills and culturally responsive design principles
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Facilitate professional development at school site and organizational levels
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Plan and organize bi-annual school-wide STEAM showcases of student learning
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Write and manage grants to fund science and arts programming and teacher professional development
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Practice Action Research in the classroom in order to incorporate research based science and literacy strategies into STEAM programming and instruction
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Collect data to assess success in alignment of school programming to our Charter, Vision and Mission. Engage staff in processing data and designing interventions
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Teach newcomer, Emergent Bilingual, and below grade level readers through reading intervention groups
7th & 8th Grade Expeditions Teacher ~ Summit K2 Public School
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Create and pilot a culturally responsive, academically rigorous, arts and ELA integrated middle school Expeditions program
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Collect, review and respond regularly to student data
TK-5th Grade Bilingual Science Program Lead ~ Leonard Flynn Elementary School
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Develop and teach culturally sustaining STEAM focused project- based units to Tk-2nd grades with real world implications and impact
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Coach Tk-8th grade teachers in building and implementing collaborative, interdisciplinary, project based units grounded in systems level thinking skills and culturally responsive design principles
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Facilitate professional development at school site and organizational levels
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Plan and organize bi-annual schoolwide STEAM showcases of student learning
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Write and manage grants to fund science and arts programming and teacher professional development
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Practice Action Research in the classroom in order to incorporate research based science and literacy strategies into STEAM programming and instruction
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Collect data to assess success in alignment of school programming to our Charter, Vision and Mission. Engage staff in processing data and designing interventions
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Teach newcomer, Emergent Bilingual, and below grade level readers through reading intervention groups
Early Childhood Education Teacher ~
La Escuelita: Peregrine School
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Lead Reggio Emilia inspired preschool science programming, designing scaffolded learning experiences supporting hands-on exploration and second language acquisition
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Collect, analyze and respond to student data with teaching team to individualize support systems for academic and social-emotional growth
Tailor ~ Villa's Tailor Shop. K&G Fashion
Oakland
Tailor and customize sclothing for all ages
Teacher Consultant ~ UC Berkeley Bay Area Writing Project
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Design and lead professional development for TK-12 Grade teachers in creative approaches to ELA and Writing instruction
Intern Credential Subject Specific Pedagogy Curriculum Writer ~ Reach University
Co-Founder ~ Alive and Free School
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Collaboratively design and illustrate culturally relevant early childhood curriculum for schools and homeschooling families. Perform all editing, design, marketing, and social media tasks
Write, edit, and produce digital asynchronous, multilingual, multimedia learning resources
Course Writer & Online Educator ~ Kids Herbalism: Wild Ginger Community Herbal Center
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Design and teach online courses for adult and children’s herbalism programs in arts and sciences
Masters of Educational Leadership
CA Multiple Subject Teaching Credential
Reach Institute for School Leadership
B.S. Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems Latin American & Hemispheric Studies
UC Davis
Summa Cume Laude Highest Honors
Children’s Book Writing and Illustration Certificate
UC San Diego
Design Thinking Institute
Nueva School
Elementary Ethnic Studies Project
Mills College School of Education
Race & Housing in the Bay Area Teacher Fellow
Race & Housing in the Bay Area Teacher Fellow
UC Berkeley Othering & Belonging Institute
Designing for Transformation Teacher Leaders
Creating the Conditions Oakland
Design Thinking Fellow
IDEO Oakland Teacher’s Guild
GLAD Guided Language Acquisition Design Teacher Trainer Certification
BE GLAD
Engage & Explore Teacher Education Program Lead -
Agency by Design
Light Awards Grant Lead- Lazear Charter Academy
STEAM Lead Lazear Charter Academy
Makerspace Lead Lazear Charter Academy
Equity Leadership Team Lazear Charter Academy
Instructional Leadership Team Lazear Charter Academy
Guided Language Acquisition Design in the Arts Lead Education for Change
Coalition of Educators for Change Bargaining Representative Education for Change
Site Union Representative Lazear Charter Academy
Let's Grow Together!
Interested in collaborating? Ready to learn more about our services? Let's talk!