My Work
Meet Rocío
Founder
I was born in Puerto Rico and raised in the rhythm and rush of New York City—where the sidewalks hummed with paint-bucket drums, the Korean bakery owner knew your order by heart, and the MTA taught you patience and grit. Music was my first love (trombone, if you must know), and thanks to an audition and my mom’s support, I landed at the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts, where practicing scales and chasing melodies was a full-time affair.
College began with music education at SUNY Fredonia, but my spirit kept nudging me toward something else…toward trees, stars, and a different kind of rhythm: the wild. I thought, could a city kid like me really find belonging in wide-open spaces? Spoiler: I did—and I built the trail myself con sazón and compass.
Curious and undeterred, I created my own major to explore how nature inspires artistic expression and how informal education shapes youth development, blending outdoor education, arts-based learning, and creative expression. Despite limited funds and a less-than-perfect GPA, I made it to graduate school at SUNY Cortland—driven by my future and by the kids like me who deserved to see themselves in these spaces.
One of my projects took me back to Puerto Rico after years away. There, I wrote and produced Spirit Has a Message—a song about home, memory, and belonging. That experience grounded me in a truth I carry forward: education is most powerful when it honors identity, creativity, and connection to place.
Over the years, I’ve worked as an administrative professional, camp educator, and mentor for underserved students, engaging toddlers, teens, parents, caregivers, professional partners, and community members.
My path as an educator and mentor has taken me from New York City to the open landscapes of rural Wyoming, and now to the vibrant communities of New Mexico. These experiences have given me a deep understanding of how work cultures differ and how educational opportunities are NOT made equal.
In every setting, I’ve seen how informal education—camps, community programs, outdoor learning, and creative exploration—becomes a critical space for youth development. It’s in these spaces that young people can experiment, build independence, think critically, and create magic.
While my professional path isn’t music-centered, my curriculum design is deeply arts-informed. I use visual, kinesthetic, and auditory approaches to engage the whole learner—helping students find their own “voice,” while also learning to collaborate like members of an orchestra.
At Escalera Academy, I weave these principles into every program, whether it’s career readiness workshops or our pilot KES Program (Kinesiology, Engineering, and Sustainability). My goal is to create spaces where students feel supported, educators feel empowered, and communities can thrive—together.
I recognized the people who made up my village years after leaving home, and their example sparked the concept for Escalera: it truly does take a village to support emerging leaders and help professionals thrive through guidance, mentorship, and community.
Become part of something unique—join the village and help shape the next generation of leaders, learners, and innovators.