About Us

My name is Briana Santoro. I am a wife, mother, entrepreneur, lover of good healthy food, and am passionate about inspiring others to live the life of their dreams. My husband and I moved to beautiful sunny Sarasota, Florida a year ago in hopes of building a wonderful future for our two young boys. We have been inspired by the like-minded community of families we have met and aim to create a nurturing school environment that honors the wonder of childhood, while preparing them for the future that awaits.

As a child I started my early years in a wonderful Montessori school, where my mother drove long distances each day to make sure I had access to this incredible learning environment. Starting in grade one I was lucky enough to get into a local alternative school where as children we guided our education journey, learned through experience, were encouraged to develop a love of learning, and were treated with respect. I think very fondly of those years and have always dreamt of my children having access to an equally magical school experience.

As with many life stories, during my adult years my career has been an interesting journey. I started in business strategy consulting, working all days and hours of the week, while guiding companies towards developing strategies that were truly aligned with their customers needs and desires. From there, with an interest to move beyond strategy and hone my skills in implementation, I worked in both the dental supplies and financial services industries as a Director of Marketing. While following a passionate spark I had for healthy living, I later went back to school for holistic nutrition and graduated at the top of my class in 2010 as a Certified Nutritional Practitioner. I have since published a #1 best selling cookbook, specialized in functional pediatric nutrition where I co-founded a functional food and high-end supplement company for kids, and co-authored a book on early childhood nutrition.

With all that I have accomplished, no journey has inspired me more than that of motherhood and the burning desire I have to nourish the whole child—body, mind, and spirit—through the food they eat, the environment they are exposed to, the community we foster, and the education they receive. It’s this guiding light and the yearning I have to find an incredible school for my own boys that has led me towards founding Roots Nature & Leadership Academy.

Jennie Trattles – Curriculum Director

I’m Jennie Trattles, and I’m thrilled to join Roots as the Curriculum Director. My lifelong love for learning began in an unconventional setting—growing up traveling with a carnival. Life on the road gave me a deep appreciation for hands-on, experience-driven, and alternative education and plenty of time to nurture my passions for art and music. Today, I still love to play my instruments and explore printmaking techniques and watercolor in my spare time.

My journey as an educator has taken a winding path, starting with a B.A. in Liberal Arts (Psychology) and a career in behavioral training with marine mammals. Working in zoos and aquariums, I discovered my true passion wasn’t just the animals—it was inspiring people to love them, too. That realization led me back to pursuing a career in education. This led me to the Montessori community, where I spent the last decade as a teacher, mentor, and program developer. I hold an IMC Elementary Montessori Teaching Certification (ages 6-12) and have worked with diverse students and families, led school-wide initiatives, and supported educators in curriculum development, classroom management, and community-building.

At Roots, I’m excited to bring together my expertise in Montessori education and my love for nature-based learning. My goal is to support teachers and families by providing curriculum guidance, classroom support, and thoughtfully curated educational experiences that help students thrive—connecting them to their learning, their community, and the world around them.

Michaela Kucera – Educator (Pre-K & Kindergarten)

My name is Michaela Kucera. I was born and raised in Prague, Czech Republic. As a child I would walk through the medieval streets covered by bright white snow and dream about my future. I always knew that I would like to visit other countries and experience something different from what was familiar to me. My family traveled to Croatia during our summer holidays and I was mesmerized by the sounds of cicadas and the smell of citrus trees lingering through the hot nights caressed by the ocean breeze. I truly enjoyed traveling, visiting museums and art galleries, uncovering the rich history of the countries I visited, and learning about other cultures.

At a young age, I attended the Film Academy of Jan Neruda and graduated with a communication and film history degree. The year was 1989 and I was living behind the iron curtain, not able to dream colorful images and listen to The Beatles. I decided to leave my home behind and explore the world. I came to the United States to study English and decided to stay in order to pursue a higher level of academic achievement.

I earned my bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York. I later graduated with a Masters of Art in Education from New York University, with a major in early childhood and elementary education, including a specialization in Montessori. I received a certificate from the American Montessori Society and was trained at the West Side Montessori School by the legendary Dr. Marlene Barron. I consider myself a very fortunate student, since I spent many hours listening to Dr. Barron’s presentations and observing her Montessori lessons. Marlene was a unique force of nature and an amazing inspiration to all of us.

Since that time, I have spent more than 20 years teaching in Montessori schools throughout New York City, Westchester County, Long Island, and more recently Sarasota, including New Gate Montessori Academy.

Throughout my life I have had the opportunity to observe and compare how rural and urban environments differ in terms of physical space and how this impacts the learning experience for young children. I have observed that children are closely linked with nature and that nature is a fundamental element of their growing and learning experience. What I adore about the Montessori philosophy, is that it encourages children to learn about other cultures and introduces them to foreign languages, artifacts, food and lifestyles from around the globe.

I am looking forward to joining the Roots Academy community and having the opportunity to combine my passion for Montessori and cultural studies, with my love for nature and outdoor education.

Kim Louria – Educator (Grades 3 & 4)

Hello, I am Kim Louria. I am an avid reader, enjoy painting, and love all things science. My hobbies include kayaking, biking, walking, and anything that keeps me outside. My love for nature stems from my upbringing in Michigan where I spent most of my childhood camping or playing outdoors. I have shared this love of the outdoors with my husband and three grown sons through many miles of hiking all over the US.

I have over 25 years of teaching experience in public and private settings. I have a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education Degree from Wayne State University where I majored in math and minored in English. With a passion for teaching students how to read, I later received my Reading Specialist Master’s Degree from Eastern Michigan University and have completed training in Yoga for Children with a Trauma-Informed Focus.

After teaching in public school for 8 years at the beginning of my career, I sought out a new approach to education. I became excited about student-led learning and honoring each child’s individual journey. I went back to school and received my Montessori Diploma in Lower Elementary (ages 6-9) at the North American Montessori Center. I then spent 13 years teaching at Montessori schools in Michigan and Pennsylvania, and worked as a Directress for grades 1-3 and 4-6. During this time, I was also responsible for providing reading evaluations and remediation for students K-6 and implemented an Accelerated Reading Program for 1^st-6^th grades.

I moved to Sarasota, Florida in 2017 and have spent the past 6 years teaching students in 4^th and 5^th grade. Most recently I worked at Out-of-Door-Academy as a math specialist teacher, where I developed differentiated lessons for 85+ students in accordance with school and state standards that focus on Neurological development.

I feel strongly that developing a connection to nature through education is critical in helping children understand the natural world and its importance in sustaining life on our planet. When children develop a connection to nature, they also tend to develop a sense of responsibility and respect for the environment, as well as empathy and compassion for all living things. This helps them understand that they have a role to play in protecting and preserving nature for future generations, and it helps them become compassionate citizens who strive to make the world a better place for everyone.

I have taught in nearly every type of school including public, private, charter, and Montessori. One year I even designed a homeschool program for one of my own children because the available options did not meet his learning needs. When I learned about Roots Nature & Leadership Academy, I knew immediately I needed to be here. Too often, a school’s mission statement to address the needs of the whole child falls short, as the desire to compare students to an arbitrary national norm sets precedent and becomes their commanding focus; typically because of their need to secure funding. My quest to find a school that truly values the idea that one-size-fits-all doesn’t work when it comes to children, ended when I found Roots. The team and families here understand and honor that every child learns in a unique way and at their own pace, and are passionate about inspiring a love of learning. I am excited that my path has led me to help guide the education of learners at Roots.

Kimberly Klein – Educator (Grades 7 & 8)

“Education is not merely the learning of facts, but the awakening of curiosity and the training of the mind to think.” ~ Albert Einstein.

This quote deeply resonates with me because I believe that my role as an educator is not just to impart knowledge but to ignite a passion for learning. My goal is to guide students in thinking critically, making meaningful connections, and experiencing the content in ways that inspire curiosity, creativity, and a lasting understanding of the world around them. In my experience, children thrive when they love what and how they’re learning. That’s what drew me to Roots Academy—a place where students grow with a deep love for learning and a strong foundation of knowledge.

My husband and I were best friends in high school before later getting married. We have three beautiful daughters and an amazing granddaughter! I can’t forget to mention my ‘boys’—two adorable Teddy Roosevelt Terriers. As a child, I loved school and learning, but years in the traditional public school system and constant testing took their toll, making me lose some of that love. However, my lifelong dream of becoming a teacher never wavered. From a young age, I was determined to be the kind of educator who not only inspires students to love learning but also provides them with meaningful experiences that make learning come alive. I want my students to engage deeply, connect with what they’re learning, and see its relevance in their lives. That passion led me to earn a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of South Florida.

My teaching journey began at Goldie Feldman Academy, now Community Day School in Sarasota. Over nine years, I taught and designed curriculum across multiple subjects for grades 2-8, spending most of my time with middle school students. Their project-based and experiential learning approach deeply resonated with me. When Imagine School opened, I joined its inaugural team as a middle school teacher, helping shape its curriculum and programs. Over 16 years, I served in leadership roles, including Science Department Chair, Team Lead, and Excellence Committee member, and was honored as Teacher of the Year. However, the increasing pressures of standardized testing and traditional education took a toll—on both my students and myself. Eventually, I decided it was time to leave teaching… until I heard about Roots.

Teaching has been my lifelong passion. I’ve worked with learners of all ages—children and adults—serving as a teacher, leader, curriculum designer, and coach. While I love education in all forms, middle school students hold a special place in my heart. Their curiosity, energy, and eagerness to explore the world make teaching them both inspiring and rewarding. One of my greatest joys has been taking them on countless educational trips over the years—watching them step outside the classroom, experience learning firsthand, and make lasting memories that deepen their understanding and love of the world around them.

I am a certified Master Naturalist for Wetlands and have a deep love for all things nature. I have a large fossil collection and collaborate with the Florida Museum of Natural History at UF to identify my finds. Growing up on a farm just south of Wichita, Kansas, gardening, canning, sewing, and cooking were a constant in my life. To this day, my mother lives on a homestead in Tennessee, where I take my kids—and now my granddaughter—to spend summers immersed in those same traditions.

As a family, we’ve always shared our love of science and nature through camping, hiking, canoeing, and fossil hunting with our daughters and now our granddaughter. Roots embraces everything I love and cherish—hands-on learning, nature, and meaningful experiences with kids. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work in such a special place.