Meet Our Founder
Hi, I'm Susan, the founder of Catalyst Kids Academy, a microschool in Hill Valley, CA. My journey into education began with a simple yet powerful desire—to provide my son Joey with an educational experience that would surpass the limitations of our local schools. Determined to create a nurturing environment for him, I embarked on the exciting journey of starting a play and project-learning based microschool. My heart is filled with excitement as I look forward to partnering with families in our community!
Our mission at Catalyst Kids Academy is to develop compassionate and confident students, nurturing each child’s unique strengths through hands-on learning.
Our Staff
Susan Nguyen
Susan will be our lead teacher for all elementary grades. She brings a love for interdisciplinary learning and will work one-on-one with students to provide support on their own learning path.
Sharon Johnson
Sharon will be working with our K-1 students twice a week and has a deep passion for early childhood learning and literacy. Her passion is driven by a profound commitment to education.
Shawn Smith
Coach Shawn will be working with our students during outdoor time on Fun Fridays! He loves playing kickball and he’s excited to help our students build their endurance and physical fitness.