Our Philosophy

At UpCycle, we are inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach to learning.  Our collaborative work is guided by a shared vision that everyone, including the youngest child, has perspectives and ideas that can be revealed through exploratory experiences with arts media and other open ended materials.  We believe that children learn in relationships with other children and the adults in their lives.  Our intentional observations of children, combined with our educational experience and aptitude to use arts materials with children, guide our teaching practice and result in class experiences that are unique and relevant to the development of our class participants.

Our Team

Kelley Organek: UpCycle Co-Founder 

Kelley is a Reggio-inspired educator with a background in preschool and elementary education.  After spending 11 years teaching and working as an administrator in the Alexandria City Public Schools, she was the Director of Beverley Hills Preschool in Alexandria, VA from 2008-2012. At UpCycle, Kelley is committed to providing a space for people of all ages to be creative, innovative and resourceful.

Susan Miranda: UpCycle Co-Founder

For as long as Susan can remember, art has been a part of her life. Susan considers herself a “dabbler” as she loves to try all sorts of art making. She cannot pick just one medium for creating.  She feels great satisfaction from the process of creating. Susan began her teaching career teaching art in the Fairfax County Public Schools. Susan then shared her enthusiasm for creating with children ages 2.5 to 5 years old as the Studio Teacher at Beverley Hills Church Preschool in Alexandria, Virginia from 2007-2012. At UpCycle, Susan infuses her knowledge of materials and resourceful ways to use them into UpCycle’s programs and workshops.

UpCycle Co-Founders Kelley Organek and Susan Miranda