Our Advisors

The people who help shape this school.

Alongside the worldwide Acton Academy Affiliate Network, we rely on an exceptional advisory group with expertise in education, philosophy, leadership, and the arts. We're forever grateful for their generous contributions and insights.

Saurabh Basu, PhD

Industrial Engineering Researcher

Dr. Basu is an Assistant Professor at the Harold and Inge Marcus Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering at Penn State University. He instructs undergraduate and graduate courses on advanced manufacturing, and his research group studies the behavior of advanced materials in manufacturing processes. At our school, Dr. Basu works with Dr. Jauregui Wurst and the team to understand how STEM concepts can be leveraged as a vehicle for bilingual K–12 education.

"The mystery of human existence lies not in just staying alive, but in finding something to live for."— Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Veronica Boutte, PhD

Philosopher

Veronica served for twenty years in the Diplomatic Service in Latin America, Africa, India, and Southeast Asia. She holds a Doctoral degree in Philosophy and is the author of The Phenomenology of Compassion, a study of the Indian thinker J. Krishnamurti. Veronica taught undergraduate courses in World Religions, Art History, Ethics and Humanities at universities in the Washington, DC area. She develops curriculum for the Jung Society of Washington and is an active member of the Jean Gebser Society and Ken Wilber integral theory groups. Veronica reviews our projects' content and helps make our quests more meaningful and humane.

"The life we want is not merely the one we have chosen and made. It is the one we must be choosing and making."— Wendell Berry

Tracy Caprio

Homeschooling Specialist

Tracy is a veteran of twenty years of home education. The belief that children are born learners guided Tracy's choices around curriculum, organized activities, and free time. 'Knowledge is its own reward' and 'Education is a Privilege' were her two operating principles. Her four children continue learning even though their formal education has come to an end — a writer, a historian, a nurse, and a musician. Tracy provides advice to families to ensure a smooth transition to and from homeschooling, and supports us in outreach to the homeschooling community.

"Knowledge is its own reward."— Thomas Hobbes

Norma Beatriz Coria

Award-winning Innovative Educator

Norma was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and there, together with her husband Dr. Salvador Leni, founded the Moruli Educational Institute, which for 44 years has been implementing the John Dewey Active School methodology. She is the regional director for Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay at the Organization of the Americas for Educational Excellence (ODAEE). She is widely recognized as a pedagogue, receiving numerous awards in education and culture. We are partnering with Instituto Moruli on virtual immersive English–Spanish bilingual exchanges for learners from Falls Church and Buenos Aires.

"It's not about doing what we want, but rather loving what we do."— Salvador Leni

Kimberly Jackson

Resource specialist for families

Kimberly's passion in life is to help children find a joy for learning. She has two Montessori certifications/diplomas, a B.A. in English, and Professional Development Training from Lindamood-Bell in language and math, and from CHADD in ADHD for Educators. Kimberly has over thirty years of Montessori classroom experience, Toddler through Lower Elementary. She opened, owned, and taught at a small Montessori school in Harpers Ferry, WV for ten years. She now operates The Joy of Learning Montessori Classes and Tutoring.

"The education of even a small child does not aim at preparing him for school, but for life."— Maria Montessori

Janine Labak, MSW

Montessori Educator

Janine is a Montessori educator with 25 years of experience in teaching, leadership, and consulting — along with certifications in Early Childhood education and Positive Discipline. She has developed outdoor, science, and water-focused curricula and generously shares her expertise to help strengthen our Montessori environment.

"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye."— The Little Prince

Ira O'Sullivan, MBA SPHR

Executive Leadership Coach

Ira is an executive leadership coach with over 20 years of talent development and management consulting experience. She has led enterprise-wide talent development and implementation of large-scale, award-winning initiatives including leadership development, performance management, and mentoring. Ira continues to serve as a Director of Leadership Development for one of the most admired technology companies in the DC metro area. Ira coaches Dr. J personally, equipping her with leadership tools and skills.

"If one is lucky, a solitary fantasy can totally transform one million realities."— Maya Angelou

Belén Quellet

Executive Director of The Learning Quest

Belén has a background in International Relations and a true passion for helping the disadvantaged. She lived in India and the Philippines just after graduating, volunteering for three years in health and education projects. Upon returning to Argentina, she joined Red Solidaria as International Aid Coordinator, then worked as a journalist and program manager at La Nación newspaper Foundation in Buenos Aires. She has been HelpArgentina's Executive Director, the Engagement Editor for media startup RED/ACCION, and is now the Executive Director of The Learning Quest, expanding learner-driven educational approaches.

"Not all of us can do great things but we can do small things with great love."— Saint Teresa of Calcutta