Charaf Abourached
Lead Garden Teacher, LHA
Charaf Abourached was born and raised in the beautiful city of Marrakech, Morocco. When he was young he helped on his great uncle’s farm that had vegetables and olive, apple, and orange trees. This awakened Charaf’s love of food and spices and his drive to give back to his surroundings. A person of many interests, Charaf has run a restaurant, made public art and giant puppets and sculpture, built his own furniture, and used to teach P.E. at LHA before joining the garden team. He loves to learn, and is excited to combine his experiences with food and farming in Morocco with growing practices in the U.S.. He is confident that in his classes students will take care of each other and learn life skills that they will be able to use throughout their lives. In his homelife, he is often immersed in one of his many hobbies, like woodworking or drawing.
Breanna Bolden
Lead Kitchen Teacher, Ashe
Breanna Bolden serves as the Associate Garden Teacher at Arthur Ashe Charter School. A New Orleans native, she brings a rich culinary background as a pastry chef to her role, having worked in Florida, Wisconsin, Georgia, and New York. Breanna holds a bachelor’s degree from John Folse Culinary Institute, where her passion for food blossomed into a deep appreciation for nature and the environment.
As a garden educator, Breanna is dedicated to connecting children with the joys and knowledge of gardening. She believes that the Edible Schoolyard program offers unique, lifelong benefits and skills to students. Her goal is to inspire children to explore beyond traditional classrooms and embrace the limitless possibilities that nature offers.
When not tending to the garden at Ashe, Breanna enjoys spending time with her daughter, cooking, and engaging in outdoor activities.
Mike Delashmet
Network Gardener
Mike Delashmet serves as the Network Gardener for FirstLine Schools. Originally from Jackson, Mississippi, Mike brings a unique blend of experience in sound recording and landscaping to his role. His passion for gardening is rooted in a deep commitment to environmental stewardship, with a focus on permaculture and local food production.
Mike is dedicated to helping others reconnect with nature through the beautification of spaces and nurturing both the land and the people who interact with it. He firmly believes in the power of gardening to rekindle people’s love for Mother Earth.
When not tending to FirstLine’s gardens, Mike enjoys taking long walks, engaging in board game sessions with friends, and indulging in his love for reading. His diverse interests and background contribute to his holistic approach to gardening and environmental education.
Donte Frazier
Assistant Garden Teacher, Ashe
Donte Frazier comes from a long lineage of farmers, gardeners, and herbalists, which has shaped her path in life. She is deeply passionate about achieving self and tribal sufficiency through village-based living and connecting with the land. Donte’s expertise finds expression in her work at LHA’s garden. When not there, she devotes her time to reading and writing books, further cultivating her knowledge and sharing her insights.
Andy Gelter
Lead Kitchen Teacher, Green
Andy Gelter grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, and attended Tulane University for his undergraduate degree. Andy went on to earn his Masters in Education from Southern Methodist University. Before becoming a teacher, Andy worked as a chef in restaurants around the country for ten years. He eventually found his way to Edible Schoolyard, which allowed him to combine his passion for food, cooking, and education. As a teacher at Edible Schoolyard, Andy enjoys encouraging students to collaborate and work towards common goals. He finds the kitchen environment allows students to build critical life skills in a unique way that is different from their classroom learning. Andy loves that he is able to make connections between the school and the broader community through field trips and special events that engage people outside the school. Andy aims to impart to his students a strong foundation in cooking basics, an understanding of the science and math involved in cooking, and the cultural aspects of food. Outside of teaching, Andy spends most of his time with his wife and two young children. He enjoys playing golf, pickleball, and basketball.
Emma Goldman
Lead Garden Teacher, Wheatley
Emma Goldman serves as the Lead Garden Teacher at Phillis Wheatley Community School. Her passion for gardening began with simple experiments, planting her favorite fruits and vegetables from the grocery store to see what would grow. This curiosity has blossomed into a deep commitment to making gardening and nutrient-rich foods accessible to everyone.
Emma is dedicated to building urban gardens and creating positive, judgment-free learning environments. She strives to inspire her students to explore their surroundings and push their boundaries within their comfort zones. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes safety and encouragement, allowing students to develop a genuine interest in gardening and nature.
Outside of her role as an educator, Emma enjoys a variety of activities. She values spending time with friends and family, indulging in good books, and swimming. Her love for the outdoors extends beyond the garden, as she often spends her free time in nature. Emma also has an adventurous spirit, enjoying road trips and exploring new restaurants.
Mica Hastings
Associate Garden Teacher, Green
Mica Hastings is an environmental educator passionate about connecting students with the natural world. With extensive experience teaching outdoor education across Oregon, California, and British Columbia, she now brings her expertise to New Orleans. Hastings believes deeply in hands-on environmental learning that empowers students to understand their place within ecological systems.
Her teaching philosophy centers on helping students develop a profound connection to their environment, whether in forest or urban landscapes. By fostering direct engagement with natural cycles and processes, Hastings aims to transform how students perceive and interact with the world around them.
When not in the garden at Green, Mica enjoys an active lifestyle that reflects her love of the outdoors. She can be found playing frisbee, making music with friends, hosting dinner parties, and maximizing her time outside. Her personal and professional life are united by a commitment to environmental stewardship and community connection.
Drew Johnson
Associate Kitchen Teacher, Ashe
Drew Johnson, born and raised in New Orleans, LA, is passionate about empowering children from all backgrounds with the knowledge and confidence to cook nutritious meals. Believing that early education in food, nutrition, and gardening fosters healthier habits, Drew is dedicated to creating hands-on learning experiences that connect kids to the natural world. Through teaching, Drew helps young people explore where their food comes from and how it impacts their bodies, encouraging curiosity and lifelong wellness. Outside the classroom, Drew enjoys thrifting, binge-watching TV series, and playing video games. Their work reflects a deep commitment to nurturing both healthy lifestyles and a love of learning in the next generation.
Liz Lichtman
Lead Garden Teacher, Ashe
Liz Lichtman came to ESY driven by a passion for working with young people in ways that get them moving and connected to the outdoors. With deep interests in sustainability, community projects, and outdoor adventure, Liz believes all children should experience the magic of nature and understand the interconnection of all living things. She brings energy and intention to her work, helping students build a relationship with green spaces and the world around them. When she’s not teaching, Liz can be found riding her bike, playing outside with her two kids, dancing at a second line, or relaxing with friends in a pool.
Ciara Littlejohn
Notre Dame Mission Volunteer, LHA
Ciara Littlejohn is an artist and educator from the western side of North Carolina, near the Catawba River. They graduated from North Carolina A&T State University with a degree in Liberal Studies and later moved to New Orleans to be closer to family. Through relatives who attend FirstLine Schools, Ciara discovered ESYNOLA and immediately connected with the program’s mission to nurture growth, curiosity, and wellness through food and nature-based learning.
Ciara is deeply passionate about helping students build sustainable habits and use nature as a tool for self-regulation. Ciara encourages students to slow down, breathe deeply, and find calm in simple moments outdoors, like feeling the sun on their face or the breeze on their skin. They also believe that introducing kids to new foods helps them form healthier relationships with what they eat and the world around them. When not teaching, Ciara can be found making art, spending time with friends and family, trying something new, or simply enjoying time outside.
Ariel Moyal
Network Gardener, Greenhouse and Volunteer Associate
Ariel Moyal comes from the San Francisco Bay Area, situated on the ancestral homelands of the Ohlone people. Having grown up immersed in environmental and place-based education, Ariel developed a sense of curiosity and excitement about learning of the native plants and animals around them from a young age. Ariel loves connecting people to this same spark of curiosity as much as they enjoy growing plants! Ariel is passionate about empowering young people by fostering their innate curiosity of the world around them, and building their confidence to explore and care for their communities. Ariel firmly believes that everyone has the right to connect to their ancestral foods and lands, which strengthen communities when rooted in these values. When not in one of the school gardens, Ariel enjoys cooking and organizing with friends and their community. Through their work, Ariel aims to cultivate curiosity, confidence, and connection amongst young people to spark environmental stewardship and community engagement.
Zach O’Donnell
Program Manager
Zach is a dedicated educator and grower with over two decades of experience in garden-based education and sustainable agriculture. As the Program Manager for Edible Schoolyard New Orleans (ESYNOLA), Zach leads a multidisciplinary team in managing educational gardens and kitchens across 4 FirstLine Schools, and is passionate about connecting kids with nature, food, and community.
With a background that includes international agricultural development in Mozambique, work as high school science teacher and a decade of garden-based teaching in New Orleans, Zach brings a broad perspective to food education. His expertise is designing impactful curricula, organizational systems, and educational gardens to support Kinder – 8th grade community building, trauma-informed practices, and experiential education.
Zach holds a B.S. in Biology from Saint Louis University, a Secondary Education Credential in Science from San Francisco State University, and a Certificate in Ecological Horticulture from UC Santa Cruz. He is also a Louisiana Master Naturalist, licensed Louisiana Landscape Horticulturist, and mediocre trail runner.
Kat Schloss
Associate Kitchen Teacher, Green
Kat Schloss serves as the Associate Kitchen Teacher at Samuel J. Green Charter School. Growing up in Southern California, she developed a love for food through homemade burritos and cooking shows. Kat’s culinary interests were further shaped by summers at Conneaut Lake and her time in Berkeley, where she earned her Masters in Global Studies.
Passionate about community spaces, food cooperatives, and hands-on learning, Kat brings a wealth of experience from roles at Explorer Camp and Camp Kesem. Her background as a former Trader Joe’s crew member adds to her diverse culinary knowledge.
At Edible Schoolyard, Kat focuses on empowering young people through food education, promoting sustainability, and creating a safe space for culinary discovery. She advocates for food accessibility, local sourcing, and farm-to-table education.
Outside the kitchen, Kat enjoys rock climbing, reading, collaging, geocaching, and exploring the local food scene. Her ultimate goal is to inspire students to connect with their food, appreciate the Earth, and find joy in preparing vibrant, tasty dishes.
Charlotte Steele
Director of Edible Schoolyard New Orleans
Charlotte Steele brings over eight years of experience as a garden teacher at Phillis Wheatley to her role as Director of Edible Schoolyard. A New Jersey native who spent time in Michigan and has loved living in New Orleans for over 10 years, Charlotte is passionate about hands-on learning—seeing the garden as a way to engage students in all modes of learning. The majority of her professional development has focused on academic integration for early childhood learners, Trust-Based Relationship Intervention, and brain-friendly classroom management strategies.
Charlotte approaches teaching as both a creative pursuit and a continuous learning opportunity. She loves supporting teachers, exploring new strategies, and finding ways to better meet students’ needs every day. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys traveling, taking acting classes, and spending time with her wife, Hannah, and her little cousins.
Braian Tomé
Lead Garden Teacher, Green
Braian (pronounced Brian) Tomé was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and grew up in Miami, FL. He first became interested in horticulture at Florida International University, where he studied environmental science. Braian has worked at farms, nurseries, and botanical gardens, and was an agriculture extension agent in the Peace Corps in Paraguay. Cultivating lush gardens and cooking and eating delicious food is Braian’s passion. He wants to live in a world where children have a deep appreciation for nature, and learn to grow their own food and cook it at home. When he’s not teaching and gardening at Green, he might be playing soccer, practicing yoga, gardening and cooking at home, or running out of oxygen in a steam room.
Steve Williams Jr.
Assistant Garden Teacher, Wheatley
Steve Williams Jr. hails from New Orleans, Louisiana. A dedicated educator, he’s passionate about shaping young minds and nurturing the next generation. Steve believes strongly in the power of teamwork and is always seeking innovative ways to help his students succeed.
When he’s not tending to the Wheatley Garden with his students, Steve enjoys staying active through workouts and unwinding with video games. A die-hard Green Bay Packers fan, he never misses a chance to cheer on his favorite team.
Family and friends hold a special place in Steve’s heart, and he treasures the time spent in their company. Whether he’s sharing gardening tips, discussing the latest Packers game, or engaging in friendly competition over video games, Steve brings his passion for life and learning to everything he does.
Ali Rose
Associate Garden Teacher, LHA
Originally from Colorado, Ali Rose grew up overseas in Chile, the Dominican Republic, Mozambique, and Hungary—an experience that inspired her love of travel, food, and learning from different cultures. During college, a summer job at an art museum sparked her interest in nontraditional learning spaces and working with children, setting her on a path toward education.
Ali has taught in art and science museums and worked with Gardeneers, a Chicago-based nonprofit that brings hands-on garden education to public schools. There, she discovered the power of connecting students to the food they eat and the natural systems that sustain us. Now pursuing her Master’s in Teaching at Tulane University, Ali continues to grow as an educator while cultivating curiosity and environmental awareness through garden-based learning.
When she’s not teaching, Ali enjoys making art in her home studio, kayaking, camping, and planning her next travel adventure with her favorite people and animals.