Jeremy Smith is an educator, entrepreneur, and community builder dedicated to fostering agency, connection, and equitable opportunity within and between communities. With extensive experience in teaching, educational design, teacher development, nonprofit leadership, and cross-cultural collaboration, Jeremy has spent his career helping teach healthy communication and developing innovative solutions that address systemic barriers while empowering local communities to thrive. Professional Background Jeremy served as the President of the Chinese Language Teacher's Association and World Language Department Chair at West Side School in Seattle, where he designed Pre-K through 8th-grade Mandarin curriculum aligned with ACTFL standards and grounded in Comprehensible Input teaching methodologies. Together, they created sister school and language exchange programs that connected students in the U.S. with peers in Taiwan, fostering cross-cultural understanding and global citizenship. As a certified NSA StarTalk Master Teacher Mentor and Instructional Lead, Jeremy has played a key role in training educators in innovative, project-based teaching methodologies. His ability to design and implement engaging, culturally responsive curricula has empowered countless teachers and students to bridge linguistic and cultural divides. Vision and Leadership Jeremy’s work is guided by the belief that sustainable local solutions to local problems grow from within communities. His leadership philosophy emphasizes collaboration, adaptability, and agency, creating systems where communities are empowered to identify and address their own challenges. Through the Communitea Project, Communitea House, and their related initiatives, Jeremy continues to cultivate local solutions with global impact, fostering connections that honor the unique strengths and stories of every community.

Kathy helped start Communitea Project and its associated programs, Village Teacher and Storied Journeys, where her expertise in language education, curriculum design, and teacher training has been instrumental in shaping their success. Through Village Teacher, she has led efforts to train teachers both domestically and internationally, equipping them with the skills to create meaningful, community-centered educational experiences. Storied Journeys, a program Kathy co-developed, has connected communities across the globe through experiential education and cultural exchanges. By integrating long-term relationship building with cross-cultural travel, Kathy has helped ensure that these exchanges are not one-time experiences but sustained connections that create lasting impact on both sides. Vision and Leadership Kathy’s vision centers on the belief that education is a powerful tool for community empowerment and connection. Her leadership is defined by her commitment to fostering agency, creativity, and collaboration within and between communities. As a co-founder of the Communitea Project, Kathy continues to innovate at the intersection of education, community building, and cultural exchange, creating pathways for individuals and communities to thrive.

Zain is the brilliant mind behind the scenes working on our IS infrastructure and innovative online and brick and mortar commerce solutions.