The RASA leadership team are originally from Denver and have a deep connection to the community they are serving. They attended Denver Public Schools and have diverse experiences as educators and leaders in schools in the FNE community. After extensive research, they found that Arts-Based Learning (ABL) was a powerful way to help students and create a more equitable future. They believe that the arts are not just for enjoyment but are essential for learning.
Pablo Picasso once said, “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once you grow up.” This quote captures the essence of the RASA educational program.
Yuzo is a father of two elementary-aged children who began his career as a 4th grade teacher at DPS but moved into a music teaching position where he served the FNE of Denver for 8+ years. He designed/implemented an original music curriculum while serving as a leader on diversity, equity, and inclusion committees at both schools. Yuzo is also an accomplished musician and professional artist, creating the RASA school model based on many years data collected while working with students and teachers in the community. Currently a Doctoral student of Music Education/Educational Leadership & Policy Studies at UNC Greeley, his dissertation focuses on closing equity gaps in arts education through the means of culturally/community responsive efforts.
Kelly is an educational leader, activist, and entrepreneur. She believes every child deserves access to a high-quality education to reach their full potential in life, while contributing to a global society. Hailing from the Montbello Denver neighborhood, she has 25 years of teaching experience. Kelly has been involved in the instruction of students from toddlers to 8th graders, in traditional core content and visual arts, and in both private and public schools.
Her career in Denver Public Schools began with working as a Reading and Writing paraprofessional. She became a classroom teacher in 2012. During her almost ten years at McGlone Academy, in addition to teaching, she also held various Teacher leader roles such as Data Team lead, New Teacher Ambassador, and Early Literacy Specialist.
Kelly obtained a Bachelors of Arts in Elementary Education and Teaching with a concentration in English Language Acquisition from University of Northern Colorado, Center for Urban Education. She has a Masters of Arts in Leadership of Educational Organizations from University of Colorado Denver. She has a Colorado Initial Principal License, an Endorsement in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners for grades K-12, and Designations in English Learner Professional Development and READ Act/Science of Reading.
She co-founded RAAD with Yuzo Nieto and Alejandro Fuentes-Mena in 2018, as a Moonshot Edventure fellow in Cohort 2. She envisions RASA as a learning organization where learning is rooted in liberation, and both staff and students can develop their craft and achieve their goals.
Kelly finds joy spending time with loved ones eating good food, traveling, and going to shows. Her favorite solo activities are painting and reading.