Our Collaborators
L.E.A.R.N. is built on collaboration — a community of independent instructors and partner organizations who share a commitment to hands‑on learning, creativity, resilience, and real‑world skills. Each instructor brings their own expertise, company mission, and teaching philosophy, yet all align with our vision of creating meaningful, accessible enrichment for families of all ages. Together, they form the heart of our programs and the spirit of our community.
Jason Varone brings over two decades of experience in survival skills, bushcraft, and wildlife ecology. A lifelong outdoorsman, he grew up as a Boy Scout and Eagle Scout, developing leadership, resilience, and a deep respect for the natural world. His Those Who Wander programs reflect years of hands‑on fieldwork, wilderness training, and a genuine passion for helping others feel confident and capable outdoors. Jason’s teaching blends practical skill‑building with curiosity, adventure, and nature‑based resilience — beautifully aligned with L.E.A.R.N.’s vision of learning through exploration and connection.
Jason Varone
Element Earth, LLC | Those Who Wander
John Shelley
RK Florida Horsemanship &
Highlands Intergenerational String Orchestra
John Shelley has been immersed in music since the age of four, developing a lifelong love for the violin, orchestral performance, and intergenerational music education. With years of experience teaching and directing string orchestras, he brings patience, artistry, and a deep commitment to helping students grow through music.
John’s love of horses also began early in life, eventually leading him to become the owner of RK Florida Horsemanship, where he offers horseback riding lessons, horse care training, and therapy‑based services. His dual expertise in both horsemanship and music reflects a rare blend of discipline, empathy, and intuitive teaching — perfectly aligned with L.E.A.R.N.’s vision of whole‑person, community‑centered learning.
Andrea Ley Berenz, MS,PMP
Project Bloomwell
Andrea Ley Berenz brings over 20 years of teaching, coaching, and consulting experience, weaving together creativity, communication, and real‑world readiness. A lifelong educator, she began her career in Lima, Peru, where she spent 12 years as an ESOL and ELE teacher, as well as a translator and interpreter, nurturing language confidence and cultural connection in her students. She later transitioned into project management, earning her PMP certification, and now blends both professions to design soft‑skills and leadership programs that help kids grow in confidence, clarity, and resilience. Through Spanish Enrichment and Life Skills, Andrea creates warm, engaging spaces where learners of all ages can express themselves, build practical skills, and discover their strengths — beautifully aligned with L.E.A.R.N.’s mission to nurture curiosity and lifelong learning.
Samantha De Leca
Down2Earth Waldorf Academy
Samantha de Leca brings over two decades of experience in Waldorf Education, with a rich background that spans classroom teaching, international Waldorf schools, and homeschooling her four children using the Waldorf method. She holds a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and a postgraduate degree in Waldorf Pedagogy and Anthroposophy, grounding her work in both academic excellence and deep pedagogical understanding. Samantha has also taught online for several years and is the founder of the only internationally accredited online Waldorf school, where she shares creative lesson ideas, Extra Lesson support, and holistic educational guidance with families around the world. As L.E.A.R.N.’s academic collaborator, she brings a thoughtful, developmentally aligned perspective that enriches our programs and strengthens our commitment to meaningful, child‑centered learning.