Our Teacher

Lisset Orozco

Creator of Spanish Nature Club

LIsset was born and raised in the chaotic and urbanized Mexico City where green areas are scarce. She became a nature lover during childhood as she held her happiest memories when going to family trips to nature places near the city or spend every summer at grandma`s house in the desert. 

"When I was in the forest following the river stream, I felt like I was in a magical world, and I used to believe that fireflies in the desert were fairies or witches for real!"

She has a degree in Social and Politic Sciences and a background in research, social work and teaching among indigenous and rural communities in Mexico, engaging in literacy for children, adolescents and adults. Spending time in these communities, she also learned to value and see nature as a living entity on which we depend to live. 

Lisset felt in love, in Puerto Escondido-Oaxaca, with a man from Santa Cruz and moved to the area in 2006. Living in Felton she devoted her time on raising her daughters bilingual, advocating for Hispanic communities and culture, and being steward of the land she lives in. Wherever working as a nanny, Spanish tutor or volunteering in her kid's classrooms, Lisset brough Spanish and nature with her. 

Lisset created Spanish Nature Club in 2020 in the mist of Covid-19 crisis as response to the need of -safe options- to support Santa Cruz families in need of childcare or enriching activities for their children.  

"I started with 3 families, 3 kids, Sofia, Lucas and Sage.  Time flew by! As of now I have had hundreds of kids and students join Spanish Nature Club. This project brings a lot of joy and meaning to my life, and I feel really grateful for it"

In her free time, Lisset likes to spend time in nature, whatever running with her dog, backpacking or hiking with friends. She also enjoys dancing Latin music, reading paper books and practicing guitar. And she loves hanging out with her two daughters, now in high school and college. 

UAM B.A. Politics & Social Sciences, Diploma in Education and Cultural Integration, Research assistant at the UNAM Institute for Social Research-IIS, English bilingual, Spanish native,

CPR and Wilderness First Aid certified; by NOLS, Fingerprint cleared.

Member of: California Association for Environmental & Outdoor Education

What about?

I do believe that spending time nature is a necessity for all of us but children. Free, creative and imaginative play in nature is essential for cognitive and emotional development.

So, what do I do?

I facilitate nature exposure and mentor nature connection in the kid's life.  I also speak Spanish and introduce Spanish vocabulary as our days together go by.

My ultimate intention is for the children to enjoy spending time in nature, so they learn, develop and evolve better as they grow. And if children also fall in love with nature and care about the ecosystems around them, then my mission is completed.  Same with the Spanish language, I do my best for the kids likening the idea of a second language as I introduce Spanish naturally while spending quality time together in the woods!