Staff – The Edible Schoolyard New Orleans

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

Associate Garden 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.

Ruby Ceman

Associate Garden Teacher, LHA

Ruby Ceman serves as the Associate Kitchen Teacher at Langston Hughes Academy. With roots in central Wisconsin, she grew up raising pigs and ducks, which instilled in her a deep reverence for nature. Ruby earned her BA in Anthropology from the University of Wisconsin La Crosse and has since worked in various educational and community garden settings in Wisconsin and the San Francisco Bay Area.

Drawn to the unique history and ecology of Southern Louisiana, Ruby now calls this region home. She is passionate about fostering connections between youth and the land, believing that understanding one’s environment and food sources is a fundamental right. Ruby views this knowledge as a crucial step towards a more communal and sustainable future.

When not tending to the garden at LHA, Ruby enjoys practicing yoga, exploring her surroundings, and nurturing her orchid collection.

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

Americorps Member, LHA

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.

Derrick Johnson

Associate Kitchen Educator, Ashe

Derrick Johnson is a passionate chef and football coach born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. Derrick has over ten years of experience in the culinary arts, having honed his skills at NOCHI. Derrick loves sharing his enthusiasm for cooking by teaching students how to prepare safe, delicious meals. His goal is for all of his students is to gain confidence and proficiency in the kitchen after just one trimester of his cooking class. When he’s not in the classroom or on the football field, you can often find Johnson relaxing at the beach or hosting a seafood boil! Through teaching both cooking and football, Johnson aims to impact the lives of youth in his community positively.

Liz Lichtman

Lead Garden Teacher, Ashe

Liz Lichtman serves as the Leader Garden Teacher at Arthur Ashe Charter School. Born and raised in New York, she pursued her college education in Pennsylvania before joining the Peace Corps to teach in Malawi. Liz holds a Master’s degree in International Education from George Washington University.

An avid traveler, Liz has backpacked through Southeast Asia and South America, and worked on a farm in Hawaii. She arrived in New Orleans shortly after Hurricane Katrina for a month-long volunteer stint, which turned into a permanent stay. Her community involvement includes founding RUBARB Community Bike Shop in the 9th Ward, organizing for Girls Rock New Orleans, and working as a mechanic and support vehicle for Nola to Angola.

Liz is passionate about outdoor education, sustainable living, and empowering young people to connect with nature and make positive changes in the world. Her interests extend to alternative education, DIY skills, and growing food. When not tending to the garden at Ashe, Liz enjoys cycling, spending time with her two children, participating in community events, and exploring City Park.

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 O’Donnell, the son of science teachers in Chicago, has been an educator since 2006. He has a science teaching certificate from San Francisco State University, a certificate in Ecological Horticulture from UC Santa Cruz’s Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems, and a B.S. in Biology from Saint Louis University. Before joining ESYNOLA, Zach lived in Mozambique where he worked as a field agronomist. Using gardens as educational spaces combines Zach’s passions for science, growing food, education, and playing in the dirt. When he’s not teaching garden classes or laying under trees and looking up, he is probably going for a very long run.

Jae Semien

Lead Kitchen Teacher, Ashe

Jae Semien is an educator with a passion for guiding students to reach their full potential. Born and raised in New Orleans, Jae has spent the past decade teaching and inspiring youth. Outside of the classroom, Jae enjoys boxing, writing music, and spending time in her grandmother’s garden. Jae believes that with patience and dedication, even the most challenging students can thrive. Known for their creative teaching style, Jae strives to meet each student where they are and support their individual growth. Music, cooking, and time with family provide balance to Jae’s busy life as an educator devoted to making a difference.

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 new role as Director of Edible Schoolyard. A native of New Jersey who discovered her passion for local food and farmers markets while in Michigan, Charlotte is deeply committed to connecting students with fresh, seasonal produce. During the 2019-2020 school year, Charlotte served as a Peer Support Specialist with Safe Schools New Orleans, where she received training in trauma-informed and Trust-Based Relationship Intervention methods. She is currently working toward an Early Childhood Post-Baccalaureate certification and enjoys professional development with AfterClass New Orleans. An advocate for anti-racism, Charlotte is dedicated to continually learning, unlearning, and confronting whiteness in her work and personal life. Outside of her professional pursuits, she enjoys roller skating, making videos, traveling, crafting, and going out for bubble tea with her wife, Hannah, and sister, Lily.

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.

Garden Assistant, 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.