Our Team

Bianca

Founder

Director- Operations

Parent Life Coach, Family Behavioral Coach, Instructional Support Coach

  • M.S. Educational Leadership and Policy Studies – Director, Instructional Specialist, Parent Life Coach, Family Behavioral Coach, Private Instructor and Tutor, Professional Organizer

    The Rooted Learning Collective 

    With over 20 years of heartfelt experience in education, Bianca Schuster has touched the lives of children and families both in the classroom and at home. She holds a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Texas at Arlington, along with various certifications in traditional and Montessori education. Bianca has worn many hats over the years—from guiding students in elementary classrooms to serving as an Instructional Specialist and Parent Coach. She continues to offer private tutoring and hosts summer enrichment camps, staying closely connected to the communities she serves. One of her greatest joys is designing learning spaces that are both beautiful and functional—places that bring peace, spark curiosity, and encourage meaningful connection at home.

    Her work across traditional classrooms, Montessori, Classical, and homeschool settings opened her eyes to the incredible potential for something more intentional and personal in the Fort Worth area. Inspired by long-standing relationships with trusted, deeply respected professionals, Bianca founded The Rooted Learning Collective, Inc.—a place where collaboration, whole-child growth, and the empowerment of parents are at the heart of everything. Her passion extends beyond supporting families; she’s equally devoted to uplifting fellow educators and professionals by creating space to share their gifts, grow together, and make a lasting impact in the lives of children.

    Outside of her work, Bianca finds joy in simple things—running, gardening, and being with her two children and family. She treasures quiet moments that bring peace and reflection, believing they help her show up with love and intention. Her heart for service is rooted in empathy, creativity, and faith, guided by the words of 1 Peter 4:10: “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”

Ashley 

Certified Child Life Specialist, Private Child Life Sessions, Private Child Development Sessions

Director - Child Development and Child Life Services

  • M.S. and CCLS — Certified Child Life Specialist
    The Rooted Learning Collective

    Ashley brings over 15 years of experience as a Certified Child Life Specialist, offering emotional and psychosocial support to children and families facing life’s toughest moments. With a background in both hospital and camp settings, she uses play, education, and therapeutic interventions to help children understand their experiences, express their emotions, and build healthy coping skills.

    Ashley is especially passionate about helping children realize they can do hard things—and equipping them with tools to face future challenges with confidence. She meets each child and family where they are, honoring their unique story and supporting them toward healing and growth.

    Ashley holds degrees in Community Health and graduate studies focused on grief, bereavement, and play therapy—giving her a broad, compassionate view of what impacts a child’s well-being.

    Outside of her work, Ashley enjoys reading, writing, walking, and biking. She’s inspired by the words of Fred Rogers: “Each of us has something that no one else has—or ever will have—something inside that is unique to all time.” and that belief shines through in all she does.

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Markie

Homeschool Coach, Homeschool Teacher/Tutor, Professional Cleaning Services

Director - Homeschool Assistant Director - Family and Home Support Services

  • Tutor & Professional Cleaner
    The Rooted Learning Collective

    Markie brings a nurturing, hands-on approach to her roles as both a Tutor and Professional House Cleaner at Rooted Learning Collective. A homeschooling mom since 2013, she’s walked the educational journey with her own four children—two of whom she’s already graduated—which gives her a deep understanding of the challenges and triumphs families face. Whether she’s helping a child gain confidence in their studies or easing a parent’s load by creating a clean, peaceful home, Markie’s work is grounded in care and service.

    In 2020, Markie and her family launched a thriving cleaning business, driven by their shared desire to support others. She approaches every task with the same heart, guided by the scripture: “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” — Colossians 3:23.

    Parents appreciate Markie’s encouraging presence, practical wisdom, and thoughtful attention to detail. When she’s not working, she enjoys knitting, gardening, and finding beauty in life’s simple rhythms.

Coming Soon!

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Therapist and Counselor

  • More Coming Soon!

Certified Child Life Specialist, Private Child Life Sessions, Private Child Development Sessions

Kristen

  • B.A. -Psychology, Minor in Family Studies Certified Child Life Specialist The Rooted Learning Collective

    Kristen has served as a Child Life Specialist since 2007 and has loved providing psychosocial care to children and families in a variety of areas within the hospital setting. She has served as a STEM Educator since 2017, building kids skills and confidence utilizing the Engineering Design Process while encouraging social development through the modeling of teamwork and collaboration. She has also had experience teaching children’s music classes and Private Voice, collaborating in Children’s Ministry, and writing T.V. scripts to promote education and coping for hospitalized children. She has homeschooled her 2 daughters for over 10 years and is passionate about promoting a love of learning.

    Kristen values play based learning in order to provide children and families with the tools they need to thrive in all of life’s journeys. She loves working with children of all ages and abilities and desires to partner with parents to provide support and establish healthy family dynamics. In her personal time, Kristen enjoys spending time with her family (including hilarious dog Huckleberry), singing in the church choir, listening to audiobooks, and gardening. She humbly hopes to utilize the gifts God has given her to serve others.

    “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”

    1 Peter 4:10

Noemi

Child Life Assistant, Child Development Assistant, Special Needs Coach

  • B.S. Human Development and Family Science — Child Life Coach
    Rooted Learning Collective

    At The Rooted Learning Collective, Noemi serves as a compassionate and committed Child Life Coach, supporting children and families through individualized coaching, life skills development, and hands-on learning experiences. She works closely with both children and their caregivers, helping them build confidence, resilience, and meaningful connections in everyday life.

    Noemi holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Science from the University of North Texas. Her professional background includes four years as a special education paraprofessional, where she specialized in childhood development and worked extensively with children with special needs. Her calm presence and heartfelt advocacy ensure that every child feels seen, supported, and valued.

    What Noemi loves most about her work is forming strong, lasting relationships with children and families. She finds joy in watching kids grow—both emotionally and socially—as they gain new skills and confidence in themselves. Whether it’s a breakthrough moment or a quiet win, each success fuels her passion for helping kids thrive.

    Outside of her work, Noemi enjoys spending time with her family and her sweet dog, Milo. These moments of rest and joy help her stay grounded and energized for the important work she does.

    Noemi is inspired by the simple but powerful reminder:
    “You were made to bloom.”
    She brings that spirit into every interaction—believing deeply that with the right care, every child can flourish.

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Dalen

Instructional Support Coach, Parent Coach, Montessori Family Coach

  • B.S. Ed — Montessori Family Consultant and Behavioral Coach
    The Rooted Learning Collective

    Dalen brings over four decades of experience in K–8 education, spanning both traditional and Montessori settings. As a Montessori Family Consultant and Behavioral Coach, she collaborates with educators to support student development through intentional, child-centered practices. Her work includes providing instructional support, assessing academic and behavioral needs, and offering practical guidance aligned with Montessori philosophy—all while respecting and reinforcing the authority of the classroom teacher or guide.

    Having mentored new and veteran educators and served as a consultant to Houston Montessori trainees, Dalen is deeply committed to professional growth within the educational community. She emphasizes the Four C’s of 21st-century learning—Critical Thinking, Communication, Collaboration, and Creativity—as central to Montessori environments and effective teaching.

    Dalen’s approach is grounded in the belief that meaningful education empowers children to take ownership of their learning. She’s inspired by Dr. Maria Montessori’s words: “The greatest sign of success for a teacher… is to be able to say, ‘The children are now working as if I did not exist.’” Her personal motto, “Help me to help myself,” reflects her dedication to fostering independence and resilience in both students and the educators who guide them.

    Outside the classroom, Dalen enjoys historical fiction, mysteries, beach walks, and travel.

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Lauren

Reading Screening and Coaching

  • M.Ed. CALT— Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT)
    The Rooted Learning Collective

    Lauren is a passionate and experienced dyslexia therapist who specializes in supporting children with challenges in reading, writing, and handwriting. As a Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT) and Texas-certified teacher, she provides personalized, strengths-based instruction designed to meet each child exactly where they are—helping them build both skills and confidence.

    With a Master’s in Education from Tarleton State University and five years of focused experience, Lauren understands the emotional and academic hurdles that come with reading difficulties. She takes great joy in helping children not only improve their literacy skills but also develop a genuine love for learning. Her work is guided by the powerful words of Dr. Louisa Moats: “What drives me? It is the whole realization of the difference between what is and what could be for kids’ lives…”

    Parents appreciate Lauren’s nurturing approach, clear communication, and unwavering commitment to their child’s growth. Outside of her professional life, Lauren enjoys camping, hiking, and spending quality time with her family and their dog.

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Karen

Student Advocate for Special Services & Needs, Math Screening and Coaching, Private Homeschool Teacher and Academic Tutor

  • M.Ed., Reading Specialist
    Montessori Certifications (Grades 3–6 and 6–9)
    Special Education Endorsement (K–12)
    Rooted Learning Collective

    Karen holds a Master’s degree in Reading and brings a wealth of expertise through her Special Education endorsement and Montessori certifications. With 44 years in the field of education, she has supported students across all content areas, including ELA, reading, and mathematics, and has worked in a wide range of instructional settings such as resource, self-contained, and inclusion classrooms.

    Throughout her career, Karen has served in multiple leadership and support roles, including FWISD’s ECSE (Early Childhood Special Education) Program Manager, Professional Developer, Teacher Trainer/Coach, and ELA and Math Tutor/Coach. Her work has consistently emphasized advocacy, supporting parents, educators, students, administrators, and evaluators alike.

    Karen’s decades of service have reinforced a core belief that guides her work: every child can be taught, and every family can be supported. While education often brings many perspectives, Karen grounds her practice in firsthand experience and observation. She believes true success is achieved through a collaborative, team-based approach, where parents, teachers, and administrators work together in partnership for the child's benefit.

    Outside of her professional work, Karen enjoys traveling and has a personal goal of visiting all U.S. states and territories. She also cherishes time spent with her beloved Morkie, Luv, and her only grandchild, Maggie. Above all, Karen treasures diversity and inclusion, finding joy in meeting new people, learning new ideas, and exploring different ways of approaching life; gifts she considers God-given blessings.

Fitima Melton of Rooted Learning Collective

Fitima

Certified Educational Diagnostician

  • More info coming soon!

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Amy

Private Dyslexia Tutor, Private Academic Tutor, Montessori Family Coach

  • B.S. Early Childhood Education— Dyslexia Teacher, Tutor, & Montessori Family Consultant
    The Rooted Learning Collective

    With over 28 years in public education and a deep commitment to child-centered learning, Amy brings a rich blend of experience, compassion, and expertise to her work at The Rooted Learning Collective. As a Dyslexia Specialist, Tutor, and Montessori Family Consultant, Amy is passionate about walking alongside children as they discover what they can do—fostering confidence, independence, and a love of learning.

    Amy has taught across a range of Montessori levels for over 15 years, from Kindergarten through Lower Elementary (grades 1–3), and has spent the past five years specializing in dyslexia intervention. She currently serves as a Provider of Dyslexia Services (PDI) in Fort Worth ISD and is known for her creative, student-focused approach.

    She is deeply inspired by the words of Maryanne Wolf:
    “Dyslexia is a different brain organization that needs different teaching methods... It is never the fault of the child, but rather the responsibility of us who teach to find methods that work for that child.”

    Amy believes in creating lifelong learners, not just strong students. Her work is also guided by a favorite quote from Dr. Maria Montessori:
    “The greatest sign of success for a teacher... is to be able to say, the children are now working as if I did not exist.”

    Outside the classroom, Amy is a proud mom of twin nine-year-olds, a Girl Scout leader, and a devoted Texas Rangers fan. Whether she’s cheering from the bleachers or guiding a young reader, Amy brings joy, energy, and purpose to everything she does.

Leslie

Montessori Family Coach, Private Early Childhood and Elementary Tutor

  • More info coming soon!

Sandra Wardlaw, Teacher and Tutor for the Rooted Learning Collective

Sandra

Homeschool Teacher, Academic Tutor

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  • Private Tutor and Teacher

    BLA: English major, Math minor

    Sandra brings over 16 years of teaching experience from diverse Title I public/charter schools where she helped students learn to love math, applied mathematics to the real world, and bridged learning gaps.

    She helped individual students succeed by working one on one, and by creating stations where she taught students how to work together socially and academically, as she increased the rigor. She created hands-on activities, used manipulatives, and  technology resources. She primarily worked with students who were 5th-8th grade.

    In addition to public/charter school she homeschooled her three older children through 6th grade during her retail working years. For her fraternal twin son, Jeremy, she tried a variety of  phonic reading programs and lastly used a phonic program and tutor from Key Learning School.

    She was also a math tutor for East Texas State Math Department, where Dr. Stuart Anderson commended her on her level of patience and her ability to break down the material into easier to understand concepts and language.

    She has always loved the outdoors. The vegetable gardening she learned from her dad puts her in touch with nature as she sees God’s work up-close. She loves sports, especially tennis.

    A lot of her leisure time is spent with family: her five grown children and seven grandchildren. 

Christy

Homeschool Teacher, Academic Tutor

  • More info coming soon!

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Brie

  • MAT and CPO— Professional Organizer
    The Rooted Learning Collective

    Brie is a certified professional organizer passionate about helping individuals and families create calm, functional spaces that reflect their unique needs. With a background in theatre education and over a decade of experience managing complex productions solo, Brie brings creativity, efficiency, and a personalized touch to every project. Whether clients prefer stylish upgrades or making the most of what they already have, she tailors each system to fit their lifestyle.

    Her favorite part of organizing is seeing the relief and joy clients feel when their spaces finally work for them. Inspired by the words, “Stop waiting for the perfect time to get organized. Take this moment and make some progress.” — Heidi Leonard, Brie believes in the power of small steps to create lasting change.

    Outside of organizing, Brie enjoys volunteering at her children’s schools, reading, dancing with her husband, and staying connected to her love of theatre.

Professional Organizer, Drama Teacher, Music and Movement Instructor

Rachel

Homeschool Teacher, Academic Tutor, Special Needs Coach, Enrichment Teacher

  • B.S. Biology, Minors in Chemistry and Business Certified Teacher Math/Science 4-8 — Educator, Tutor, and Enrichment Instructor

    Rachel is an educator with seven years of classroom experience teaching 4th, 5th, and 7th grade math and science students. She is passionate about helping children experience the joy, confidence, and curiosity that come from meaningful learning. With a strong foundation in science and mathematics, she enjoys making academic concepts accessible and engaging while also creating opportunities for students to connect learning to real life through hands-on activities, critical thinking, and practical life skills.

    Rachel believes that every child is uniquely created with purpose and deeply loved by God, and she strives to help students recognize both their value and their potential. Her teaching philosophy is rooted in meeting students where they are, nurturing their individual strengths, and creating a learning environment where they feel safe, supported, and encouraged to grow in both character and confidence. She aims to cultivate not only academic growth, but also a lasting sense of identity, curiosity, and joy in learning.

    Outside the classroom, Rachel enjoys spending time with friends and family, learning new skills, and finding creative ways to bring learning to life. She is continually inspired by the truth of Scripture, that each person is “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14), and she considers it a privilege to help children grow into who they have been created to be.


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Norma

Spanish Teacher, Rooted Childcare Provider, Camp Counselor

  • Childcare Provider and Ministry Support
    The Rooted Learning Collective

    With over a decade of loving childcare experience, Norma brings warmth, dedication, and a heart for service to her role at The Rooted Learning Collective. She supports families as both a Childcare Provider during consultations and a Ministry Support team member, offering care and encouragement to mothers and children alike. As a Camp Counselor at Summer Quest, she’s spent years building meaningful relationships with children, celebrating each step in their growth.

    A devoted mother of three and proud grandmother, Norma finds deep joy in walking alongside children as they grow and thrive. Her faith and compassion guide her daily, inspired by “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” — Philippians 4:13.

    When she’s not serving families, Norma enjoys time with loved ones, staying active in her church, and vacationing whenever she can.

Sophie

Private Music Instructor, Rooted Childcare Provider, Private Tutor, Camp Counselor

  • Music Instructor, Tutor, Childcare Provider, Ministry Support
    The Rooted Learning Collective

    Sophie is a dedicated high school student with a passion for supporting and educating children. In her roles as a music instructor, tutor, and childcare provider, she brings warmth, enthusiasm, and a thoughtful approach to every family she serves. An accomplished Suzuki violin student, she’s working toward her certification as a beginner Suzuki teacher and shares her love of music through lessons and volunteer work at Summer Quest, MusiCamp, and Vacation Bible School.

    Inspired by ”First character, then ability.”--Suzuki, growing up with two younger siblings sparked Sophie’s natural gift for connecting with children, whether she's helping with homework, teaching music, or offering a nurturing presence. Sophie finds joy in making a difference—whether it's helping a child master a new skill or giving a parent a well-deserved moment of rest. For Sophie, it’s all about building meaningful relationships and showing up with care.

Anna

Camp Counselor

  • More info coming soon!

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Lily

Camp Counselor

  • More info coming soon!

Connect With Us

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If you would like more information on our services or to hire one of our providers, please fill out the contact form.

In addition, if you are interested in joining our team, please fill out the form and we will be in touch with you soon.