Leena can’t remember a time when the beauty of math wasn’t her foundation and fascination. She began tutoring in college and then majored in Middle School Math education, but ultimately completed a Bachelor of Science in English Literature. She continues to tutor and teach in a variety of educational settings and is finishing up homeschooling the last of her four daughters. She has gleaned the best from these experiences to create a learning community that respects the learner as teacher.

Amber is the mother of two sons and one daughter who lives in Fort Wayne with her multicultural family. She is excited to be back in the Midwest, rediscovering the changes of the seasons and the natural world after living for several years in the tropics and desert. Amber values community, compassion, and connection and is grateful to have found a “home” in Duara where her family feels they belong.

A nature loving homeschool mama, Erica stays busy volunteering for Humane Fort Wayne, Community Harvest Food Bank, and Allen County 4-H and visiting Indiana states parks as often as she can in her quest to visit all of them. Although she has a background in Early Childhood Education, she passionately challenges everyone to become ecoliterate. She believes that if children learn to love and appreciate nature, they will grow up to be adults who take care of the natural world.

Gabrielle was homeschooled the majority of her life by her mom, Leena. She found her love for dance at a young age, and homeschooling gave her the opportunity to focus on that gift. She completed the dance program at Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts. She currently performs and choreographs with the Fort Wayne Dance Collective’s touring company. Her two beautiful daughters and son keep her busy, but she makes time to share her passion for movement and order with us.

fwdc.org/about/touring-company-members

Asha is a wife and mother of four. After learning about the school to prison pipeline as a young adult, she knew she wanted to do something different when she had children. Having unschooled for 9 years, she recognizes the need for groups like Duara that provide alternative education methods and specifically immersed in nature. She is looking forward to providing a loving and patient presence to Duara.