Jasmine Shah

Jasmine Shah joins Strandwood Elementary with a belief that critical thinking is one of the most important tools you can give a child to empower them for life. She believes in teaching the interconnectedness of the world, our relationship with nature, and how small actions can have a global impact. A lifelong learner and an avid eater, Jasmine enjoys the challenge of making complex concepts accessible and is eager to share her love of food, where our meals come from, and sustainable ways of living.

Jasmine did not start out as a Garden educator—she watched the movie Apollo 13 in high school and thought she was going to work for NASA! As she meandered her way through undergrad at UCLA, and a PhD at Queen's University Belfast, she specialized in aircraft structures, designed wings, managed an F-18 teardown project, and ran a Mathnasium Learning Center before following her heart into community-based work.

Jasmine has traveled extensively, but as a Bay Area native she enjoys everything California has to offer including its beautiful hiking trails, amazing culinary options, and visionary culture. You might find her at a hip hop dance class, watching her favorite team Liverpool FC, or working the farmer's market on a Sunday. Her favorite quote from the garden is:

"Why try to explain miracles to your kids when you can just have them plant a garden." – Robert Brault