Our Team

Innovation Guides:

Lorraine: Guide with a focus on CAD and 3D Printing
(With Innovation Since 2021)
Lorraine is a homeschool mom of over 10 years, a published author, and a passionate STEM educator. Her journey began with LEGO robotics and engineering camps, and has since evolved into teaching 3D printing and Computer-Aided Design (CAD) through workshops and virtual classes. She believes all students are natural innovators and uses STEM as a gateway to build resilience, creativity, and real-world problem-solving skills. Lorraine’s classes empower learners to explore, invent, and imagine what’s possible.

Matt: Guide with a focus in Movement and ELA
(With Innovation since 2024)
Matt brings warmth, empathy, and a strong foundation in counseling and communication to his role as a Guide at Innovation. With a Master’s in School Counseling and years of experience supporting youth in both academic and therapeutic settings, Matt has mentored students through challenges ranging from social-emotional growth to college readiness. He excels at building trust, encouraging self-reflection, and creating inclusive spaces where Innovators feel seen, supported, and empowered to grow.

Abel:Guide with a focus on Spanish, Movement and SEL
(With Innovation since 2024)
Abel brings a deep background in mental health, education, and community care to his role as a Guide at Innovation. With experience in psychiatric and inpatient hospital settings—as well as a Master’s in Bilingual Elementary Education—he offers a calm, compassionate, and structured presence in learning spaces. Fluent in Spanish and deeply committed to student well-being, Abel integrates social-emotional support, creativity, and resilience into every interaction. He creates safe, engaging environments where Innovators of all backgrounds can thrive.

Deidre, Guide with a focus on Cooking, Baking and Individualized Instruction
(With Innovation since 2023)
Deidre is a passionate educator and valued member of the Innovation community. After having all three of her children enrolled at Innovation for a year, she joined our team as a Guide in 2024. She brings a rich background in cooking, baking, and individualized instruction, along with a deep commitment to supporting social-emotional awareness and teaching the vital connection between brain and body. Deidre’s nurturing presence and thoughtful approach create a supportive and engaging environment for every Innovator she works with.

Paige: Guide with a focus on the Arts and History 

(With Innovation since 2023)
Paige is currently pursuing a degree in Education at the University of Texas at Austin and brings years of hands-on experience nurturing children’s physical, emotional, and creative growth. From leading activities for toddlers to tweens at daycares and babysitting gigs, to managing safety as a lifeguard and assistant manager, Paige is a calm and capable presence. Her talent for building connection, planning meaningful activities, and creating welcoming environments shines through in every space she supports. At Innovation, Paige brings care, playfulness, and a strong sense of responsibility to every moment with our Innovators.

Annika: Guide with a focus on Finance and Leadership 

(With Innovation since 2024)

Annika is a finance and marketing student at the University of Texas at Austin with a passion for strategic thinking, design, and community building. From her work in corporate data management at Marsh McLennan to her creative role as VP of Communications for UT’s American Marketing Association, she brings a unique blend of analytical skill and storytelling. Annika has also supported small businesses, healthcare teams, and nonprofit fundraisers, all while maintaining top academic honors. She brings warmth, organization, and a love of learning to every space she enters—including Innovation.

Jazmine: Guide with a focus on Middle and High School Pathways

(with Innovation as a Guide since 2025, Intern in 2021)

Jazmine returns to Innovation at a Guide after interning with us in 2021.  She is a current art student at Austin Community College, and joins the team with personal experience being homeschooled for the first 14 years of her life, before attending both high school and college simultaneously as a dual-enrollment student. With experience graphic designing and illustrating for businesses and individuals, and having worked on multiple of Austin's Public Art projects, she brings a colorful outlook on play to Innovation. While working on her degrees, she is an advocate for support for black students and community members, working with Black Mamas Village in Austin and previously Leander's Black Heritage Club. She brings spark, a problem-solving mentality, dedication, mediating skills, and patience. Jazmine believes nurturing every human's creativity brings out crucial inner self-confidence, and sets up skills students can call on as they grow. 

Tamara, Founder and Director
(With Innovation since 2020)
Tamara Button is an educator with over 20 years of experience in student-centered learning. With a background in Sociology, Studio Art, and Human Development from Cornell University, she has worked across a wide range of educational settings—from supporting college access for NYC teens to leading TRiO programs at Cornell. A long-time homeschooler and advocate of unschooling, Tamara draws from her work in cooperative learning communities nationwide to design responsive, self-directed education. She founded Innovation Learning Lab to create a joyful, inclusive space where learners of all backgrounds can thrive.

Innovation Volunteers

Emily: Guide Aide with a focus on Engineering and Up-cycling
(With Innovation since 2023)
Emily is an elementary education major and homeschooling mom of two, with over five years of experience guiding her children’s learning. Her family’s journey has included a unique and adventurous chapter of road-schooling  across the country—an experience that deepened her belief in flexible, curiosity-driven education. Emily is passionate about creating joyful, hands-on learning environments that adapt to the needs of each child. At Innovation, she brings warmth, creativity, and a deep appreciation for diverse educational paths, and she’s excited to support other families as they navigate their own learning journeys.

Tiana: Village Builder with a focus on Community Connection
(With Innovation since 2024)
Tiana is a former early childhood educator, lifelong learner, and creative organizer with a love for community and adventure. With a Master’s in Early Childhood Education and over 15 years of experience running a family business, she brings both heart and hustle to Innovation Learning Lab. After spending three years traveling the country by van with her family, Tiana witnessed firsthand the power of real-world learning. As a parent of two Innovators and a dedicated team member, she supports the Innovation community through social media storytelling, event and field trip planning, and by helping make every learning moment joyful and meaningful.

Alicia: Guide Aide and Village Builder with a focus on Volunteer Opportunities
(With Innovation since 2021)
Alicia has spent the last 12 years as a devoted stay-at-home mom and nearly 13 years as a foster parent, with six years of homeschooling experience. With a heart for service and a passion for helping children grow into the best versions of themselves, she brings care, dedication, and a nurturing spirit to every space she supports. What began as a way for her son to explore CAD and connect socially has, over the past four years, grown into a meaningful and safe community for her entire family through Innovation.

Board Members