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Zeba and Rusty Savage
Co-Founders
We started as friends and colleagues at Crenshaw High School, and evolved into a family of unschoolers. Five years into our learning journey together, we, with our children, opened the Savage Learning Environment as an expansion of our unschooling journey and as an invitation to our neighboring families to learn in community. We are humbled and grateful to be in our 22nd year of marriage and our 7th year of hosting this village learning space for many beautiful humans of all ages. We are honored to have a team of amazing facilitators who surround our young people with community wisdom, care and love.
Zeba Savage
Co-Director and Learning Facilitator
I am a learning designer, coach, and facilitator who leads with deep listening, careful observation, and creative vision. I am especially known for my gift of patient attentiveness with children—slowing down, noticing what matters, and creating learning spaces where young people feel seen, capable, and respected.
My work lives at the intersection of family life, education, and agency. I coach and facilitate learning for homeschooling and unschooling parents, and I lead Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI) professional development for elementary educators in partnership with the UCLA Mathematics Project. My experience is grounded in years of public school teaching experience in Richmond and Los Angeles, and shaped by a lasting love for the teenagers and families who influenced both my practice and my heart.
I am always learning—currently through Sensethinking work and Supporting Young Writers—continually refining how I support children’s sense-making, expression, and belonging. My own children are among my greatest teachers, shaping my respect for intuition and authenticity.
Arnold "Rusty" Savage
Co-Director and Learning Facilitator
I am a former public school teacher in History, Special Education, and Career Planning, with a degree in African American History from the University of New Mexico. My professional career spans a wide range of interests and expertise, from being the proprietor of Speezy Art Gallery and Little Ethiopia Herbal Healing Center, to working as a grip technician on various films and shows, including How to Get Away with Murder and the Spiderman series. I am an avid reader of history and philosophy and a music lover. I am down to play chess anytime, and I believe that there is no distance too far for me to walk.
Arnold Savage
Najara Apraku
Learning Facilitator
I am a passionate and dedicated educator, supporting learning in real time, focusing on real elevation. I have been working with youth for eighteen years in South Los Angeles, approaching them as individuals, honoring their developing minds.
I studied curriculum design and alternative education at Brown University where I worked toward a B. A. in education. Through the years I have designed and taught programming in Culinary Arts, Poetry, Folkloric Dance, Yoga, Soccer, Track and Field, Fitness, Nature programs, as well as core academic courses, including Literacy, Essay Writing and Mathematics for levels K-12.
I support wholistic education and practice the art of ‘decompartmentalizing‘ and ‘decolonizing’ education. I practice and teach Indigenous traditions, culture and ‘our story’ while drawing parallels to modern academic concepts and standards.
I value teaching understanding and critical thinking as well as self reflection, and expression. I am well-versed in creating a safe space for youth that encourages learning, healing, respect and unity. This approach has enabled me to hone my skills in reaching youth of all learning styles and abilities, honoring each one’s unique pace and style of learning and being.
Learning Facilitator
I am a local Entrepreneur in the community who also happens to be an Auntie, Crystal Healer, Jeweler, Artist, Student & above all Creative Advocate for our Youth & Their Future. A few years ago, I found myself overwhelmed by society’s expectations, juggling school & work. Drowning doing what others expected of me versus doing what I could to honor self & my lineage. Life shifted when I became a hands on Auntie. I found a sweet balance in creating anything and everything - food, art, music, peace & happiness. Then it was clear, I am a Peace Producer.
Being a Crystal Healer, I help people tap into deeper layers and channels of themselves for personal growth & evolution. Through studying a variety of healing and soothing remedies for many of life’s complexities, I’ve discovered that we as a collective can raise the vibrations around us. It is vital that all levels of community come together to secure a prosperous future for the children here & coming. Working with Savage Learning Environment allows me to learn from wise mothers and divine starseeds on how to better show up for all parts of our community.
Asha Sun
Kira Buckley
Learning Facilitator
I've been a holistic health practicioner and spiritual healer for over a decade. As a former High School and College English professor, I expanded my passion into the field of nutrition counseling, reiki and shamanic energy healing, meditation and breathwork; which is what led me to pursue an Integrative Medicine degree in San Diego,CA and Austin, TX - with a focus in acupuncture and clinical herbal therapy. I am currently cultivating my beautiful life as a clinical herbalist, writer and small business owner with my partner and two daughters; facilitating self-care retreats, offering private healing sessions and spiritual development classes to corporate and small business individuals, holding sacred space and rest portals for healers and creatives, providing Concierge Doula services to wild and wise mamas and embracing the alchemy of life as an authority on intentional joy and blissful living ... daily.
Dominique Pearson
Learning Facilitator
"everything everywhere all at once."
we are all made of so much. i am a daughter, granddaughter, sibling, friend, blessing in disguise, an herbal activisit, a rootworker, a grower.
a healer, a medicine person. a poet.
alive.
West coast raised with deep Mississippi River roots.
Queer Black Native Two - Spirit woman
a lover, a fighter. my ancestors' wildest dreams running free.
McKenna Anderson
Learning Facilitator
I am a licensed physical therapist with 13 years of experience, specializing in myofascial release and pelvic floor therapy. I obtained my master’s degree in Physical Therapy from Cal State Long Beach. In addition to my clinical work, I teach fascial energetics both in person and virtually, and I organize wellness events and retreats. My passions and interests include being present with nature, traveling, interior design, art and music, and restorative yoga.
Arnold Savage
Stephen Redman
Learning Facilitator
I am an active community member with a background in music and education. I was the Director of Education at Project43LA, and I provide security with WeAreAfricaTown Coalition for local activist groups such as Downtown Crenshaw and African Village Vendors Association.
I do a lot of community outreach as a member of the Los Angeles hub of Black Men Build. I also attend and volunteer at the Second AME Church where I do video and play drums. I grew up in South LA, attended Bowling Green State University in Ohio, and returned to the home I love. I am dedicated to keeping my community thriving.
Zuleyma Valentin
Facilitation Support
Currently a history student at Long Beach State University, I am a curious mind with empathetic strength, and I understand the importance of a child’s agency. I strive to help children find happiness and independence in their bodies. I am fluent in Spanish and certified in CPR. My previous employment was as an intern at the Tutoring Center corporation in Long Beach, offering management assistance. As well as having the honor of being a caregiver for a child with physical and mental differences. I enjoy collaging, and I describe it as controlled chaos for feelings and ideas. I am an avid traveler wanting to experience as much life as possible.
Jon Alexander
Learning Facilitator
I've been an educator for about ten years now in various capacities with various ages (young ones to adults). ever since I was a kid, I've been enamored with the sciences and their concepts. so much so, that I ultimately received my biology B.S from Baylor University. despite my experiences in predominantly white institutions, I desired to come back to the community that I grew up in and learned from to "pay it forward".
my love for biology and chemistry is rivaled by few things, and reading is definitely one of them. science fiction, fantasy, mystery, thriller and many more genres formed my foundation, providing an eclectic taste. with all of these lenses at my disposal, I'm able to change perspectives and personalize lessons for children.
I believe in being led by a child's tastes, adding flavors that seem relevant or particularly captivating to their interests. I provide a space where your child can explore creativity and alternate ways of thinking. perseverance and the process of HOW to learn are what I emphasize.
when not teaching/mentoring, my girlfriend (Dominique) and I work on our farm! we grow ancestral plants and herbs as well as those native to California.