Emily Marques is the director of the Cloud Forest School. She has worked in community development and education in the United States and internationally for over twenty years. She began her career as a bilingual teacher and has since worked with groups of all ages, from early childhood to university, both in community organizations and in public school systems. Emily believes that schools are the heart of the community and is passionate about fostering the connection between students, teachers, and families in service of thriving children and communities. Emily earned her bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Fort Lewis College and a master’s degree in education from Arizona State University. She has also studied Latin American Studies at the graduate level, and her son, Mateo, attends the school.