Faculty
Julie Duran
Julie Duran (Preschool Lead Teacher) received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Whittier College, Education Specialist Teaching Credential from California State University, and has worked as an educator for over 12 years. She has a wealth of experience as an education specialist, focusing on the early elementary years. Julie started as a substitute teacher at Roots School, but quickly became a regular in our classrooms, as she intuitively shared the values of our school. She loves to travel, but also enjoys living on Maui and being able to spend the day at Roots and the evenings and weekends with her dog.
Karen Guzman Bolanos
Karen Guzman Bolanos (Preschool Assistant) recently relocated from California and is excited to be part of our Preschool team. With a background in babysitting, warm caring nature and creative skills, Karen plays an invaluable role in supporting the growth and development of our youngest learners. Bilingual in English and Spanish, she is passionate about building meaningful relationships with both children and their families. Outside of school Karen is a baker and photographer. She enjoys dancing, swimming, traveling and spending time with her family and friends.
Alysha Tavares
Alysha Tavares (K-1 Lead Teacher) received her degree from the University of Hawaii, Maui College in Early Childhood Education. She has worked in the independent school environment for 16 years. She has had the privilege of working both in school administration and in the classroom as an Assistant Teacher as well as a Lead Teacher. Alysha believes in our school mission and looks forward to gifting our students the opportunity to become happy and healthy individuals.
Anna Patrick (photo coming soon!)
Anna Patrick (K–1 Teacher Assistant) recently joined Roots School and is excited to support students in the Liko classroom. Originally from Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, Anna earned her Bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a minor in Education from the University of South Carolina Beaufort. She enjoys spending time at the beach, shopping, traveling, and making memories with friends and family. As a newcomer to Hawaiʻi, Anna has loved making new friendships while exploring the beauty and culture of the island, and she looks forward to becoming part of the Roots School community.
Lauren Gutierrez
Lauren Gutierrez (2-3 Lead Teacher) received her Bachelor of Education, Summa Cum Laude, from Hamline University in Minnesota and has taught in the classroom for over nine years. She believes that the unique and creative space that is a classroom is where she feels most at home. Before moving to Maui in 2021, Lauren taught academics and dance internationally. From Thailand to Austria, to Colombia, she is grateful to have experienced some of the rich cultural diversity our world offers, and promises to bring her adventurous spirit, her artistic nature, and her zest for life to Roots every day. When not teaching in the classroom, Lauren enjoys her role as a dance instructor at several studios across the island.
Brittany Barto (photo coming soon!)
Brittany Barto (2–3 Teacher Assistant) is excited to join Roots School alongside Mrs. Lauren and Mrs. Genie in the 2–3 classroom. After spending much of the past school year volunteering at Roots, she quickly fell in love with teaching and is currently working toward her Early Childhood Education credentials. Brittany grew up in Tonga and Fiji before moving to Maui in 2010, where she and her husband, Carter, are raising their four children. She enjoys making memories with her family, traveling whenever possible, and spending time outdoors.
Kendra Bitzig
Kendra Bitzig (4-5 Lead Teacher) received her BA in Children’s Studies from Eastern Washington University and her MA in Education with a focus on coaching and mentoring in early education from Goddard College. After working in Early Education for over 20 years, Kendra is excited to join 4th-5th graders on their educational journey. In her free time, Kendra likes to spend time with her family and pets, adventure in nature, and create art.
Heather Benton 
Heather Benton (Cultural Connections Teacher & Teaching Coach) was born and raised on Maui, in Lahaina and Haʻikū. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Hawaiʻi and has been a part of Roots School since 2011. Through her years as a hula dancer, she has deepened her knowledge and appreciation of many aspects of Hawaiian culture, including chanting, farming, and lei making. Heather is excited to share her passion for Hawaiian culture, connection to the ʻāina, and learning with students.
Genie Hokulani Calagna
Genie Hokulani Calagna (Performing Arts Specialist) was born and raised in Hawaii. She has a passion for the arts and for sharing them with children of all ages. With a Bachelor's degree in Performance Arts from UH Hilo and a Master's degree in Theatre Education from Emerson College in Boston, she has been teaching and directing with an emphasis on arts integration and social emotional awareness for over 18 years. Her goal is always to foster self-awareness, confidence and resilience while building community through performance to benefit the whole child. When she’s not teaching, she loves to travel, do yoga and play in nature. She is delighted to be a part of the Roots family and to be a positive influence for our keiki.
Akari Ueoka
Akari Ueoka (Japanese Teacher) finds great pleasure in being a bridge between languages, cultures, and people. She is a native Japanese speaker and spent her adulthood living in the U.S. since 2001. Her professional experience includes translation and interpretation work, in addition to extensive experience as an educator. She earned a Bachelor’s in Elementary & Early Childhood Education from the University of Hawaii and has taught in public and private elementary schools in the U.S. since 2008. She is the founder of Akari Translations providing services in language instruction, tutoring, and study abroad program coordination.
Administration
Melita Charan
Melita Charan (Head of School) received her Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Southern Oregon University. She has taught in rural Alaska, internationally in Indonesia, and in the progressive public school district of Ashland, Oregon. As the founder of Roots School, Melita is dedicated to providing exceptional educational opportunities through our arts-integrated, project-based approach. When she is not working, she enjoys playing with her daughter, traveling, and hiking.
Lisa Varde.
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Lisa Varde, CFRE (Development Director) was born in Seattle, and grew up in Kihei, Maui. She graduated from the University of Hawaii at Manoa with a BA in Public Relations. She has worked in nonprofit fundraising for over 25 years, including at the Hawaii Foodbank, Maui Arts & Cultural Center, and Maui Memorial Medical Center Foundation. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her daughter and husband. She also enjoys traveling and visiting family in the Pacific Northwest.
Cait Mates
Cait Mates (Director of Admissions & Administration) first found Roots as a parent of a preschool student, then joined our Board of Directors, before becoming a staff member. She has worked as a teacher and administrator in independent schools in Hawai’i for over ten years and holds Master's Degrees in both Early Childhood & Elementary Education from Antioch University. Cait is excited to support the school in continuing its work in progressive education. She enjoys spending time outdoors with her family and being a part of the Haiku community.
