OUR TEAM

Susan Lynn Smith

[FOUNDER/DIRECTOR]

Susan holds a BFA from New York University and a MFA from the San Francisco Art Institute. Her photography as been exhibited at the Visual Studies Workshop, Gulf and Western Gallery, International Center of Photography, Cantor Film Center, Fort Mason Center, Root Division, San Francisco City Hall, MarinMOCA, Cordon | Potts Gallery, Diego Rivera Gallery, RayKo Photo Center, Inclusions Gallery, The Bascom, Berkeley Art Center, and Upstream Gallery. Susan has been an artist-in-residence at VCCA, Penland School of Craft, The Hambidge Center, Vyt - Art Students League of NY, The Rensing Center, and the Lillian E. Smith Center. In 2008, Susan joined the staff at The Oxbow School in Napa, CA, where she was faculty for Oxbow Summer Art Camp before taking on the directorial role from 2011-2020. In 2010, she co-founded Green Art Workshop, a San Francisco based nonprofit for which she acted as co-director and lead facilitator for nearly a decade. From 2019 to 2023, Susan contributed her expertise to the Berkshire Hills Regional School District’s OST programs at Muddy Brook Elementary School, as both an instructor and coordinator. She founded Second Nature Arts in the Berkshires in 2019, where she continues to lead the organization.

Sally Smith Zagaja

[INSTRUCTOR]

Sally is a Special Education and Early Childhood Consultant for Seaside Educational Consultants, LABBB Collaborative and the Northshore Education Consortium. Her previous educational roles include serving as the Early Childhood Coordinator and Northeast Regional Associate Manager of Walker Partnerships, Director of Professional Development for the Ed. Collaborative of Greater Boston. She has also served as a preschool special education teacher, an inclusion specialist, and Early Childhood Coordinator, and the Director of Student Services for Belmont Public Schools. Sally has conducted professional development trainings and directed program evaluations of special education programs and services for numerous MA public school districts.  Additionally, she has instructed and supervised graduate students from Boston area colleges and universities and mentored teachers and coordinators. 

Katherine Smith

[INSTRUCTOR]

  
Katherine has been involved in educating all ages of people as a teaching assistant and teaching artist since 2016. Before she dove head first into her creative pursuits she was a swim instructor and coach for a decade. Her primary creative interests include collage-style recycled art, textiles, and photography. Katherine has extensive experience in the fiber world as a spinner and a weaver, creating intricate landscapes and color fields using natural materials such as wool, cotton, and flax. Repurposing scraps from her weavings, she spins new yarn to be made into art. She loves teaching kids and adults new skills and facilitating the exploration of their own creativity. Katherine currently attends the University of Massachusetts - Lowell for social sciences.

John Tower

[INSTRUCTOR]

John has been a member of the Berkshire Hills Regional School District since 2022. Currently, he serves as a paraprofessional at Muddy Brook Elementary, supporting fourth-grade students in their mastery of math, reading, writing, and English language skills. Previously, he dedicated a decade of his life to living and working in a Pennsylvania community that supported adults with special needs. In this role, he facilitated the discovery of individuals' talents while working on the land, facilitating volunteer opportunities, and also volunteering himself in the wider community. Prior to this, John spent over twenty years raising young horses, guiding them through their early lessons, watching and listening for communication that was without words.  While in PA, John learned how to make and monitor Bluebird nest boxes.  In Great Barrington, he has put up boxes at both Monument Mountain High School and at Muddy Brook Elementary.  Notably, one of these boxes with a special "green roof" made with gardening students won a 1st place ribbon at a fair in Altamont, NY! 

Elizabeth Gokey

[INSTRUCTOR]

Elizabeth grew up in Berkshire County and has always been passionate about working with children. She knew from an early age that she wanted a career dedicated to supporting young students. Currently, she is completing a yearlong internship with the school adjustment counselor at Muddy Brook Elementary School, where she provides students with one-on-one social-emotional support and mindfulness skills. This May, Elizabeth will graduate from Westfield State University with a Master’s degree in School Adjustment Counseling and Mental Health Counseling. She hopes to continue her work as a school adjustment counselor in a Berkshire County school. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and spent last year as a paraprofessional in the therapeutic classroom at Muddy Brook Elementary. Additionally, she has worked as both a substitute teacher and paraprofessional there for several years.

Eva Weller

[INSTRUCTOR]

Eva grew up in the Berkshires and attended Housatonic and Great Barrington schools. In 2011, she joined the team of her husband’s family-owned restaurant, fully operating the catering side of the business when the restaurant moved in 2016 to Galveston, TX. In 2023, Eva and her family returned to the Berkshires where she immediately started to grow her love for education by joining the BHRSD summer program for K-4th graders. She currently works at Muddy Brook Elementary School as a paraprofessional in first grade and is working towards becoming an elementary school teacher. Eva has one child, and in her spare time loves being an active parent in his athletic activities. She also enjoys being in nature and long walks with her family and dog in her down time. On the creative side of things, Eva is a part-time painter and continue to develop her craft by taking painting classes.

Ruth Callahan

[INSTRUCTOR]

Ruth is an experienced educator who holds a MS in Education from Bank Street College of Education and a BFA in Drama from New York University. Her journey in education began during college, where she taught Creative Movement Theater for children, collaborating with her mentor and movement professor. Throughout graduate school, she engaged in student and assistant teaching in several private schools before assuming a leadership role at First Presbyterian Church Nursery School. Transitioning to her neighborhood public school, Ruth then taught kindergarten. From there, her love of nature brought Ruth to Hawaii and a position at Kamehameha Schools early childhood program. During her time in Hawaii, she worked in a variety of organizations benefiting children and community missions including Arc of Kona, PATH Hawaii, and several other nonprofit organizations. Recently, Ruth has worked with BHRSD’s after school program, facilitating a new dramatic games program. She is excited to be a part of the Second Nature Arts team and explore ways to support each individual’s growth.

For additional info, please complete the PROGRAM INQUIRY FORM, send an EMAIL or call 413.457.1646.