Rooted in Nature,
Growing with Purpose

NURTURING CURIOUS MINDS AND CONFIDENT KIDS
THROUGH NATURE-BASED LEARNING

INSPIRED BY NATURE

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Our Mission & Vision

At Everlasting Education, we believe every child deserves a learning environment that fosters curiosity, resilience, and connection to themselves, their community, and the natural world.

Our mission is to provide an innovative, outdoor elementary education grounded in experiential learning and social-emotional growth.

We envision a future where children grow into thoughtful, confident leaders who care deeply about their communities and planet.

Children and adults sitting on mats and blankets under a large tree during an outdoor group activity, with a cityscape and hills in the background.

Accreditation & Credentials

Everlasting Education is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), a respected accrediting body that ensures schools meet rigorous standards of quality and continuous improvement.

Our curriculum aligns with California Department of Education standards while embracing innovative teaching methods rooted in nature and community.

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Logo of WASC Accrediting Commission for Schools, featuring a gold laurel wreath and text indicating full accreditation.
Group of children holding signs and paintings expressing support for the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team outdoors on a stone wall, with trees and cloudy sky in the background.

Meet Our Board

Our board includes educators, community leaders, and advocates who guide and support Everlasting’s mission with deep expertise and shared values.

A man with a beard and mustache, wearing a beige hat with a colorful patch, and a light blue shirt with white circular patterns, smiling at the camera.

HEAD OF SCHOOL,
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

A veteran public school teacher, naturalist, and outdoor adventurer, Michael Galano has a business degree from the University of Notre Dame, is a certified public accountant, and is a proud father to a new baby boy.

Michael
Galano

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BOARD CHAIR

Cassidy Bartolomei is a founding force in Everlasting, and is dedicated to fostering deeper connections to nature, self, and community. A Notre Dame grad and founder of Noble House Media, she brings expertise in marketing and leadership.

Cassidy
Bartolomei

Portrait of a smiling blonde woman wearing a white turtleneck, with decorative yellow bird and blue star illustrations around her.

SECRETARY

Nancy Kaase has worked in early childhood education for close to 30 years. She is an expert in educational leadership, curriculum development, and staff development—and has served on educational and other nonprofit boards.

Nancy
Kaase

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Jon
Thornham

TREASURER

An engineer and entrepreneur, Jon Thornham co-founded FLO Cycling, an innovative and carbon-reducing organization committed to the environment. Jon is a parent and deeply focused on education.

Our Roots

Person holding a round sign displaying a large flower with the text 'Everlasting Education' against a dark background.

Michael Galano, a Los Angeles public school teacher and environmental educator, launched the school alongside dedicated parents and excited students in the fall of 2020. Motivated by his experience teaching both inside traditional classrooms and outdoor programs, Michael envisioned a school that immerses students in the natural world and fosters meaningful connections beyond four walls. The timing was critical, and during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic, Everlasting provided a safe, healthy alternative to virtual learning through outdoor education.

Cartoon illustration of a squirrel with a bushy tail.

Since then, Everlasting Education has grown into a fully accredited TK through 5th grade school with a rigorous yet inclusive academic program aligned with California Department of Education standards. Beyond the classroom, we offer after-school hiking clubs, summer camps, and seasonal nature connection programs designed to deepen students’ engagement with the environment and their communities. As we enter the next exciting stage of growth, we remain committed to nurturing confident, curious learners ready to lead with compassion and resilience in an ever-changing world.

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Group of children sitting on the ground around a pile of pinecones, smiling and posing for the camera.
A man with long hair and a beard wearing a blue t-shirt with 'Los Angeles River' written on it, and a woman in a green shirt, are smiling and playing together outdoors near a concrete structure with trees in the background.
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Founded in 2020 by a group of educators and community members passionate about redefining education, Everlasting Education was born from the belief that learning should happen in nature. This deep connection to nature inspired our early curiosity, resilience, and growth. From the start, our vision attracted a network of parents, students, volunteers, advisors, donors, and partners who share and support Everlasting’s mission.

Explore What Makes Us Different

From our mission-driven programs to the people behind the movement, there’s more to see.

Young girl with a butterfly on her finger during an outdoor hike, with other children in the background.
Two children rock climbing on a steep mountainside, with a scenic valley and city in the background.
Young girl with curly hair, wearing a hat, sleeveless dress, and sandals, carrying a wooden plank and a small tool in a garden or farm area with plants and gardening supplies.
Two people in costumes made of cardboard boxes, standing outdoors in a park with trees and grass. One person is dressed as a robot with a large box on their head with hand-drawn facial features. The other person is dressed as a robot with a cardboard box on their body, decorated with a heart, a color meter, and a spiral, and has a smaller box on their head.