The Earth School Team
David Esteban - Head of School, Faculty, and Co-Founder
Dona Tumacder-Esteban - Director for Community Connection and Co-Founder
Dona Tumacder-Esteban - Director for Community Connection and Co-Founder
David has extensive experience in the development and implementation of transnational programs across basic education, vocational education and training, and higher education at the bachelor and graduate degree levels. His passion is fueled by a love for learning and for our wonderful world.
As Head of School of the Earth School, David le
David has extensive experience in the development and implementation of transnational programs across basic education, vocational education and training, and higher education at the bachelor and graduate degree levels. His passion is fueled by a love for learning and for our wonderful world.
As Head of School of the Earth School, David leads the team in applying best practices in Sustainability in Education, such as Outcome Based Education, Thematic Learning, and Project Based Learning.
Dona Tumacder-Esteban - Director for Community Connection and Co-Founder
Dona Tumacder-Esteban - Director for Community Connection and Co-Founder
Dona Tumacder-Esteban - Director for Community Connection and Co-Founder
Dona builds community through an authentic desire to connect and learn from all people. She is a stress management consultant, yoga instructor and therapist, a breathwork and movement teacher, and an Integrative Wellbeing and Nutrition Counselor. She facilitates workshops developing health and wellness for multinational companies in the A
Dona builds community through an authentic desire to connect and learn from all people. She is a stress management consultant, yoga instructor and therapist, a breathwork and movement teacher, and an Integrative Wellbeing and Nutrition Counselor. She facilitates workshops developing health and wellness for multinational companies in the Asia Pacific region.
Dona is a student of indigenous and earth-based wisdom. She brings these into practice with The Earth School through enhancing indovidual and community wellbeing and a deep, embodied connection with nature.
Shyo Sayajon - Member, Board of Trustees and High School Faculty
Dona Tumacder-Esteban - Director for Community Connection and Co-Founder
Shyo Sayajon - Member, Board of Trustees and High School Faculty
Shyo is a permaculture expert and consultant, an educator, and a community developer.
Earning his undergraduate degree in mathematics from the University of the Philippines in 2001, Shyo has been using mathematics in various fieldsi n which he is passionately engaged- teaching mathematics in college, high school, and elementary students,
Shyo is a permaculture expert and consultant, an educator, and a community developer.
Earning his undergraduate degree in mathematics from the University of the Philippines in 2001, Shyo has been using mathematics in various fieldsi n which he is passionately engaged- teaching mathematics in college, high school, and elementary students, writing environmental and climate policy papers, playing outdoors, and running a sports-based (ultimate frisbee) youth development program in El Nido.
Lala Magbuhat - Administrative Officer, Faculty
Lee Raymond Turner- Special Educational Needs, Faculty
Shyo Sayajon - Member, Board of Trustees and High School Faculty
Dreamer at day,
artist by chance,
full-time hustler,
forever a student of Life.
Lala is a very social, highly-flexible individual with communications, marketing and social work experiences. The calling of Palawan, El Nido in particular, came first in 2014 when Lala took a volunteer teaching engagement right after college. Although it wa
Dreamer at day,
artist by chance,
full-time hustler,
forever a student of Life.
Lala is a very social, highly-flexible individual with communications, marketing and social work experiences. The calling of Palawan, El Nido in particular, came first in 2014 when Lala took a volunteer teaching engagement right after college. Although it was just a few months of experience in the public high school, this has been a life-changing exposure.
Lala has since been immersing herself in the community when opportunities arise alongside working as a freelance photographer making her own brand, a yoga teacher on the side, an occasional tour guide, and an online content creator.
The Earth School is the perfect platform to share the schooling she has earned from living in El Nido, at the same time a learning pod for an adult who is always hungry for growth. Salamat and Mabuhay!
Lee Raymond Turner- Special Educational Needs, Faculty
Lee Raymond Turner- Special Educational Needs, Faculty
Lee Raymond Turner- Special Educational Needs, Faculty
My name is Lee, I am a fully qualified teacher from the UK, with a degree in primary education and disability studies, as well as being a qualified Forest School Leader.
I have recently moved to the Philippines to experience a new way of life and to contribute to the amazing project that is the Earth School.
I am an experienced teacher wit
My name is Lee, I am a fully qualified teacher from the UK, with a degree in primary education and disability studies, as well as being a qualified Forest School Leader.
I have recently moved to the Philippines to experience a new way of life and to contribute to the amazing project that is the Earth School.
I am an experienced teacher with a passion for inclusion and celebrating diversity. I have extensive experience in supporting pupils with additional needs and have worked my entire career as an advocate for children with disabilities and their families.
I have worked in a diverse range of roles in: education, health care, social care and community care.
However, it is teaching that is my main calling. I am a teacher who likes to take a holistic approach to education and believe in experiential teaching, with practical methods that providing children with real experiences from which to learn. This style of teaching is why Forest Schooling fits so well with my approach to education.
Outside of school I like to keep active and enjoy the outdoor life, I spend most of my free time on the beach, swimming in the sea, and running. I also love to travel in the school holidays. Life’s an adventure for exploring and the best story told is within the pages of your passport.
“The best teachers are those that show you where to look but not what to see” – unknown.
K Co - Early Years and Kindergarten Faculty
Lee Raymond Turner- Special Educational Needs, Faculty
Lee Raymond Turner- Special Educational Needs, Faculty
With consent, touch, like a pat on the back or a high five happens multiple times a day. Warmth is present. Listening involves the whole body, not only the ears. It invites a different level of involvement from the students to their families.
Preschool is the bridge of home and school. In my classes, I invest time and effort in familiarizi
With consent, touch, like a pat on the back or a high five happens multiple times a day. Warmth is present. Listening involves the whole body, not only the ears. It invites a different level of involvement from the students to their families.
Preschool is the bridge of home and school. In my classes, I invest time and effort in familiarizing with the quirks and behaviors of each child. That way we have an organic connection through which I reach the goal of earning the children’s trust and confidence in order for them to know that they may confide in me. I take teaching this personally because I know the importance of the first year in a different environment.
The mission and vision of The Earth School are aligned with the dreams I want to build. I root for children as much as I root for Mother Earth. It’s crucial that I share these values with children in order for us to start making an impact early. I am hoping that they imbibe the lessons and hold on to them as they grow so that they cultivate that love intrinsically.
Compassion and empathy are a big deal to me. I believe that if I am able to extend these to children, we would experience an exchange and opportunities to learn from each other. I am confident that these children will grow beautifully no matter who their teacher is. But what I invite in my class when I greet them each day are warmth, kindness, and respect that ripple from an abundance source.
It feels like an embrace knowing that I have that chance to practice this on a daily basis. I am able to co-raise children who are ready to face the world with love — not only for themselves but also for the beings around them.
Diyosa M - Early Years Faculty
Penny Nepomuceno - Upper Primary School Faculty
Kayla Vergel - Lower Primary School Faculty
Diyosa is a mother, a nurturer, a nature-based educator, a traveler with a degree in Nursing. Her passion to research and discover the lifelong impacts of childhood experiences led her to Earth School and the world of early years education. Her experience as a homeschooled child during her formative years, led her to explore and combine d
Diyosa is a mother, a nurturer, a nature-based educator, a traveler with a degree in Nursing. Her passion to research and discover the lifelong impacts of childhood experiences led her to Earth School and the world of early years education. Her experience as a homeschooled child during her formative years, led her to explore and combine different pedagogical approaches, particularlyForest school and Nature Pedagogy, which she brings into practice in the class.
She is part of a community building program that aims for sustainability in a small village called “Rincomalillo” in the South of Spain.
Diyosa, believes that we can heal as a society when we improve the way we parent and educate our children.
Her values and teaching are influenced by Dr Gabor Mate, Elaine Aron (Author of the “The Highly Sensitive Child”), Mr. Fred Rogers and Kidlat Tahimik (Philippine National Artist and Filmmaker).
Kayla Vergel - Lower Primary School Faculty
Penny Nepomuceno - Upper Primary School Faculty
Kayla Vergel - Lower Primary School Faculty
Hi there! My name is Kayla and I love all things bright, colorful, and fun, just like how I facilitate my classes.
I create a student-centered environment that promotes an active and authentic learning experience that also challenges critical thinking. I follow an inclusive and holistic approach that helps cater to the social, emotional,
Hi there! My name is Kayla and I love all things bright, colorful, and fun, just like how I facilitate my classes.
I create a student-centered environment that promotes an active and authentic learning experience that also challenges critical thinking. I follow an inclusive and holistic approach that helps cater to the social, emotional, and physical development of my students. I have lived by the notion that experience is the best teacher and I am simply the guide in your child’s journey. The learning process for me should be a partnership with the student, their family, the community and nature. Imagine the endless possibilities that we can do when we all work hand in hand with each other!
The Waldorf approach has always been the most fascinating to me, going back to when I was in college. The freedom to express yourself, be one with nature, and the concept of the school being like your family is the ultimate dream for me. So when the opportunity to work for The Earth School presented itself to me, how could I say no? I moved all the way from the city because there is no better place to plant your roots than in the vibrant, rich and beautiful island of El Nido. I am certain that this is the best place to discover yourself, immerse in a collaborative community, and find the love for the earth.
Love has always been at the forefront of everything I do. Whether it’s a home with family, in the city with friends, or on an island with turtles; love is the value I will always do my best to showcase to everyone around me. In my opinion, it is crucial to be able to wear your heart on your sleeve because you never know what someone is going through and that one act of kindness was all they need to get through that moment. That is what I want every student, parent, co-teacher and community member to feel when they are in the presence of the school.
I am so thrilled to be a part of a team that shares the same goals, passions and mindsets I do. Not only do I want to share my knowledge with the people around me, but I am very open to learning more from everyone who steps foot in the area of Kalye Artisano. I hope to broaden my creativity and love for growing on this journey.
I look forward to welcoming you home here at The Earth School!
Penny Nepomuceno - Upper Primary School Faculty
Penny Nepomuceno - Upper Primary School Faculty
Penny Nepomuceno - Upper Primary School Faculty
As a mother, I saw the importance of play through my daughter. My four-year-old girl acts like my teacher and each day I am amazed with the things that she discovers on her own.
Children are like "little scientists"—always curious, always asking. As adults we are there to observe and give them guidance, but we should allow them to take t
As a mother, I saw the importance of play through my daughter. My four-year-old girl acts like my teacher and each day I am amazed with the things that she discovers on her own.
Children are like "little scientists"—always curious, always asking. As adults we are there to observe and give them guidance, but we should allow them to take the lead. We are there to create an environment where they can thrive and explore. Children should be free to explore their interests and develop skills in their own natural rhythm, but as adults, whether we’re educators or parents, we have a role in giving the appropriate support.
As a family we have always preferred the simpler life. We’ve always wanted to live closer to nature—away from the hustle and bustle of Manila. We used to spend half of our time in the mountains. We love going to the trails and exploring nature. So when I heard about The Earth School, it just seemed like the perfect fit for us. We are passionate about trail running, mountain biking, hiking and paddling among other things. The love for nature, exploration and being active are things we want to instill in our child.
I am thrilled to meet the students and families going to The Earth School as I trust that they share the same craving for learning and probably adventure. I am fortunate to be part of this community.
“The mud will wash off, but the memories will last a lifetime”- unknown
MJ Vasquez - High School Faculty
MJ Vasquez - High School Faculty
Penny Nepomuceno - Upper Primary School Faculty
My name is MJ, and the Earth School welcomes all students and their parents to our lovely community; we look forward to more remarkable outcomes from our students and each of us.
A community with a well-structured educational system is more likely to thrive, since education is a cornerstone of progress. At the Earth School, I introduce a l
My name is MJ, and the Earth School welcomes all students and their parents to our lovely community; we look forward to more remarkable outcomes from our students and each of us.
A community with a well-structured educational system is more likely to thrive, since education is a cornerstone of progress. At the Earth School, I introduce a learning experience that begins with an adventure into the outdoors and reconnecting with nature while being committed to whole systems, learning, and creating solutions to live sustainably, in balance, and harmony with one another.
I chose to teach as a profession because I love the influence one may have on individual students, particularly in their formative years. Teaching, in my opinion, is more of a mission than a career. I encourage the development of good values, a sense of self-worth, and the capacity to think critically and ask questions. I show my students that with dedication and hard work, they are capable of becoming anything they desire. My parents once taught me the value of staying curious and having a learner's perspective. That is why I constantly ask for opinions in class, no matter how bizarre the topic is. I value the views of my students. I want to encourage students to be thinkers, to understand the lesson's value and importance rather than memorize what needs to be remembered.
I believe that a classroom should be student-centered. I create a learning environment in which students are in control of their learning. I ensure that my classes incorporate a variety of learning modalities so that students can study using different learning styles. Students learn best when they are actively engaged in their learning.
I work on developing learning settings where the students work as a group on activities while I facilitate discussions. Additionally, I make every effort to introduce my students to community members from various cultural backgrounds, which are highly diverse in value systems. I believe students must develop a sense of connection to the things they do at school.
Welcome, and we cannot wait to make this school year the best yet!
Jason Aytona - Groundskeeper
MJ Vasquez - High School Faculty
Jason Aytona - Groundskeeper
Jason, or Kuya J3, is an experienced permaculture practitioner and groundskeeper. He has worked on various projects in El Nido from the Bamboo School to various Daloy Projects. Jason shares his knowledge and expertise with the school on our different nature walks and as he cares for our garden farm.