1-2 Faculty
Agustin Fredric Palomo Ramos
Music Teacher, Pre-K – 12th : Healing Through Drums & Music
Agustín is a national and international musical artist born in San Jose, Costa Rica. He earned a degree in Music & Social Behavioral Sciences from the University of Central Florida (UCF), and later attended Florida State University for Jazz Studies. He has been a Qualified Professional in North Carolina and has over 20 years of experience working with the IDD (Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities) community.
As a drummer and percussionist he performs, tours, and is a recording artist with his bands. Agustin is currently featured in the original rock band ExciterBox, who have a newly released album. He plays with Zabumba, a Brazilian drumline and dance troupe based in Asheville, NC. Some past ensembles include the 1995 Madison Scouts Drum & Bugle Corps and Walt Disney World (3 ensembles). He has also played in several orchestras/symphonies, concert bands, percussion ensembles, steel drum bands, jazz bands, marching bands, percussion for theater productions and many pop/rock bands.
Since 2021, he has been the music teacher at the Odyssey School in Asheville NC for pre-kindergarten through high school students. He is a resident teaching artist at LEAF Global Arts (Schools & Streets program) in Asheville, NC. His music pedagogy work has included Winter Park and Trinity high schools in Florida, The Austin Waldorf School in Texas, and as a percussion master class clinician at festivals and conventions. He arranged and composed for Appalachian State University, UCF, Wake Forest, and high schools.
Agustín is also a live event producer and a sound mixing engineer whose Front of House/Monitor A1 work can be heard with XL Live Media USA, IATSE, local production companies and independently. Some of his past crews in Austin, TX include the Bass Concert Hall, Erwin Center, and numerous events (Broadway Across America with The Phantom of the Opera, Wicked, Mama Mia!, Jersey Boys, The Lion King, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, George Strait, John Meyer, Neil Young, George Clinton & The Parliament Funkadelic, SXSW, Austin City Limits, Santana, Willie Nelson, Blueman Group, Tom Petty, and Deadmau5). In New York City his credits include work at Studio Instrument Rentals (SIR), Rocket Studios, and more (Fiona Apple, Beyonce, Trey Anastasio, LL Cool J, My Chemical Romance, Burning Spear and The Foo Fighters).
Haviva Dror
Pre-k Director
she/her
Haviva Dror holds an AAS degree in Early Childhood Education and a certificate in Special Education. She has been an Early Childhood educator since 2003. As a teacher, Haviva believes in creating a nurturing, loving, and caring environment where each child is treated as an individual with respect and compassion.
Haviva truly believes that strong social/emotional skills are THE most important indicator for success, not only in school, but also in life. Mindfulness and meditation are two of the tools Haviva uses in her classrooms to help children with self-regulation, focus, and body awareness. She teaches children to listen to their bodies’ needs, and recognize the feelings they are experiencing.
While early childhood education is Haviva’s passion and the career path she has chosen, she also teaches Hebrew. Over the years this has given her the opportunity to continue her journey with some of her former preschool students. Haviva is happy to share her Hebrew knowledge with her Odyssey students as well.
In her spare time, Haviva practices yoga and meditation, enjoys spending time with friends and family, and continues to deepen her knowledge in a wide array of subjects. Haviva considers herself a lifelong learner and is excited to continue her journey here at Odyssey!
Lydia Hearne
PreK Lead teacher
she/her
Lydia Hearne has worked in early childhood education for years, many of which have been here at Odyssey. She especially values the connections made with the children and loves to foster that personal bond, building trust and friendship. With the kids, Lydia loves to read good stories, explore nature, navigate emotional landscapes, and try new forms of artistic expression. Lydia also has a background in art and enjoys teaching pottery to people of all ages.
Meredith Rucker
PreK Afterschool Teacher
she/her
Meredith Rucker is grateful to be a part of the Odyssey community. She experiences joy and meaning in her life by nurturing children’s individuality, imagination, and development through intentional engagement. Meredith is currently a student at AB-Tech studying Early Childhood Education. She also studies herbalism during her free time and enjoys learning about gentle plant remedies for everyday use. Nature and creativity are vital components of her daily life.
Positively Stardust Party
Give peace a chance, grab anything with fringe on it and join us for a groovy cocktail! This year’s Positively Odyssey party has time traveled to the stardust age of the 1970’s! Gals, leave the macrame at home. Get down with blue eye shadow, bells, leather or chiffon flutter. Guys, break out the silk butterfly collars and sunglasses–just because.
We will have a best dressed awards ceremony and DJ’ed music from art waves — Studio 54, CBGB’s all the way to Graceland. Come in high-heeled disco glam, hippie, soul, or punk– as party-goer, you bring the funk and charitable support to Odyssey.
Purchase your tickets for $15 until November 15th by clicking here!
$20 at the door.
Autumn Faire – Saturday, October 28th
This is one of Odyssey’s biggest celebrations of the year, as we create a fun carnival-like event out on our tennis courts, complete with bounce houses and pie throwing! Autumn Faire is open to the public – all family and friends are invited!
Each class creates a booth – which students, teachers, and family volunteers help run – with activities or homemade wares for sale, in addition to local vendors. This is a great time to start holiday shopping, to come and support classroom fundraisers, to throw a pie at our pie-throwing booth, and to be a judge in our annual Chili Cook-Off.
When: Saturday, October 28th from 11 am – 2 pm
Where: On Odyssey’s Tennis Courts
Who’s Invited: Everybody!
Do we need to RSVP? Nope, not for attendance. However, if you’re interested in volunteering, please let your classroom teacher know.
Elders Day
We are excited to welcome and celebrate Odyssey elders on October 27th! This Fall Festival is a coming together of generations as we invite grandparents, or another special elder in our students’ lives, to join us in celebrating the coming autumn. Together, we find the beauty in changing leaves, cooler weather, longer nights, and the wisdom that follows a full spring and summer.
Elders will get to experience Integral Education, visit classrooms, enjoy a picnic lunch, and celebrate the changing of the seasons with us!
Garden Party
You are invited to join us on Saturday, September 30th, from 12:00-5:00! This party is brought to you by Odyssey’s Garden Committee, led by Chelsea Potter and Carrie Chisholm, and is sure to be a great time had by all.
Parent Orientation on September 6th
Please mark your calendars with this very important date! Parent Orientation is not a night to be missed, as so much valuable information is shared and connections are made. Start the year off right, earn volunteer hours for your attendance, and join us!
Here is some information that will likely be covered in your meetings:
- How your child’s teacher incorporates Odyssey’s philosophy into his or her teaching
- Classroom policies
- Technology at Odyssey
- Daily schedule
- How we communicate
- How to volunteer and get involved
- Ways to connect with other parents in your class
- Registration for Listening Conferences.
- The Parent Handbook.
Middle & High School meetings will also cover:
- Grading Philosophy
- College Readiness
- Experiential Seminar
- Journey Week
- Absences Policies
Child care will be provided with RSVP!
Community Pool & Pizza Party!
We are excited to see you on Friday, August 25th!
Our pool party is a great way to get your feet wet (pun intended) before the first day of school, meet your teachers, see old friends and make new ones. Faculty will make sure you get all the information you need to feel ready on Monday, August 28th, and there will be plenty of time to enjoy handmade pizza cooked in our student-made cob oven and swim in the pool!
Please remember to register so that we ensure we have enough pizza dough, and so that we know what toppings your family is planning to bring. The registration link was included in your Back to School newsletter, sent on August 8th. If you didn’t receive your newsletter, please let us know right away! You can also search your Promotions tab for the title: “Welcome Back to School! 💚 Odyssey School Supplies & News.”
Let’s go swimming!
Elders Day on October 27, 2017
We love celebrating intergenerational relationships, and every year we look forward to this celebration with our community elders – grandparents and other great, grand family members our students hold dear.
Please save the date for this day of shared stories, discovery, and play! Stay tuned for scheduling and other details as the day approaches!
Founders Day on August 28th, 2017
Join us as we celebrate the first day of school, our founders, and Odyssey’s 10th birthday!
There will be light snacks and coffee in the cafe for parents and guests leading up to the celebration, and we have the honor of welcoming our beloved 2015 commencement speaker, Kat Williams, back to our campus for a Founders Day performance. Attendees will join our students in the traditional weaving of a natural object into the Web of Life, and kick off another wonderful academic year!
Looking forward to see you there,
Megan & Cory
