Rocío Gosende S.

Escalera Access, Board President

Rocío Gosende Suárez is a Galician–Puerto Rican educator, entrepreneur, and outdoor learning advocate dedicated to expanding access to meaningful educational opportunities. Born in Puerto Rico and raised in New York City, her experiences navigating diverse communities shaped her belief that learning is most powerful when it honors identity, creativity, and connection.

Rocio holds a master's degree in Recreation and Outdoor Education from SUNY Cortland and has worked across education, youth development, community engagement, nonprofit leadership, and outdoor recreation. Her career has taken her from New York City to rural Wyoming and New Mexico, where she has worked with students, families, educators, and community partners to create engaging, hands-on learning experiences.

As the founder of Escalera Academy, Rocio developed the KES Framework—Kinesiology, Engineering, and Sustainability—a systems-based approach that helps students understand how outdoor recreation is made possible while building confidence, curiosity, and critical thinking skills. Her work combines movement science, design thinking, environmental stewardship, and arts-informed teaching practices to support the whole learner.

Inspired by the mentors, educators, and community members who formed her own village of support, Rocio is committed to creating pathways that empower young people, support educators, and strengthen communities through innovative educational experiences.