Our Staff
Lauren Zappone Maples, Executive Director
Lauren Maples co-founded PEAS Community Farm & Urban Orchard at Cunningham Elementary in 2011 and has served as the founding Executive Director of PEAS since 2015. Under her leadership, PEAS has grown from a single school garden to a leading nonprofit in Central Texas supporting outdoor, place-based, and edible education across schools and communities. Prior to her work with PEAS, Lauren was a classroom teacher in Austin ISD and served as an environmental educator for the City of Austin. She has also taught as an adjunct professor at two local universities.
Lauren’s work has been recognized through numerous awards, including the John F. Ahrns Award for Environmental Education from Westcave Discovery Center (2014, 2021), the Fulbright Distinguished Award in Teaching Grant, a Fulbright Alumni Grant (which supported her research in New Zealand and the U.S. on place-based education), and the Slow Food USA Snailblazer Award for school garden education. Her research and leadership have shaped PEAS’ school-day programming, community initiatives, and long-term organizational vision.
Lauren Maples co-founded PEAS Community Farm & Urban Orchard at Cunningham Elementary in 2011 and has served as the founding Executive Director of PEAS since 2015. Under her leadership, PEAS has grown from a single school garden to a leading nonprofit in Central Texas supporting outdoor, place-based, and edible education across schools and communities. Prior to her work with PEAS, Lauren was a classroom teacher in Austin ISD and served as an environmental educator for the City of Austin. She has also taught as an adjunct professor at two local universities.
Lauren’s work has been recognized through numerous awards, including the John F. Ahrns Award for Environmental Education from Westcave Discovery Center (2014, 2021), the Fulbright Distinguished Award in Teaching Grant, a Fulbright Alumni Grant (which supported her research in New Zealand and the U.S. on place-based education), and the Slow Food USA Snailblazer Award for school garden education. Her research and leadership have shaped PEAS’ school-day programming, community initiatives, and long-term organizational vision.
Tommie Hawthorne, Administrative Manager
Tommie brings decades of experience in bookkeeping, office management, and administrative support, with a professional background that spans a respected law firm, Austin ISD, and the University of Texas. As PEAS’ Administrative Manager, Tommie is the organizational backbone of our team—overseeing internal systems, managing finances, supporting HR processes, and keeping day-to-day operations running smoothly. Her keen attention to detail, reliability, and deep institutional knowledge ensure that our programs and people are well-supported behind the scenes.
Tommie has a long-standing connection to PEAS, dating back to when her twins were in Lauren Maples’ classes and active members of the Cunningham Elementary Gardening Club at PEAS Farm. Her belief in the mission of PEAS is personal and profound, and she is thrilled to now be supporting the work in such an integral role. Whether streamlining workflows or helping a team member problem-solve, Tommie’s caring and capable presence is felt across the organization every day.
Tommie brings decades of experience in bookkeeping, office management, and administrative support, with a professional background that spans a respected law firm, Austin ISD, and the University of Texas. As PEAS’ Administrative Manager, Tommie is the organizational backbone of our team—overseeing internal systems, managing finances, supporting HR processes, and keeping day-to-day operations running smoothly. Her keen attention to detail, reliability, and deep institutional knowledge ensure that our programs and people are well-supported behind the scenes.
Tommie has a long-standing connection to PEAS, dating back to when her twins were in Lauren Maples’ classes and active members of the Cunningham Elementary Gardening Club at PEAS Farm. Her belief in the mission of PEAS is personal and profound, and she is thrilled to now be supporting the work in such an integral role. Whether streamlining workflows or helping a team member problem-solve, Tommie’s caring and capable presence is felt across the organization every day.
Erin Magrath, Program Director
Erin Magrath is a teacher, student, and advocate of equitable and inclusive education. A former AISD Bilingual Educator, Erin gained valuable experiences in social emotional, creative and culturally relevant teaching practices. Ever since childhood, Erin has felt a connection with nature and relishes time gardening, backpacking, or just walking with her 3 dogs around South Austin. She is a certified yoga teacher and holds a Master's of Education degree from Texas State University. Erin is excited to continue the teaching-learning cycle with her coworkers and students at PEAS.
Erin Magrath is a teacher, student, and advocate of equitable and inclusive education. A former AISD Bilingual Educator, Erin gained valuable experiences in social emotional, creative and culturally relevant teaching practices. Ever since childhood, Erin has felt a connection with nature and relishes time gardening, backpacking, or just walking with her 3 dogs around South Austin. She is a certified yoga teacher and holds a Master's of Education degree from Texas State University. Erin is excited to continue the teaching-learning cycle with her coworkers and students at PEAS.
Nancy Zepeda, Kitchen Program Manager
Nancy is certified in clinical herbalism from the Wildflower School of Botanical Medicine and has experience teaching kids and adults about nature and medicinal plants. She is a certified community yoga instructor from the Amala Foundation; she infuses mindfulness practices into her personal and professional life. As a trained facilitator, she has worked closely with other facilitators and AISD's Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) team to provide mindfulness training to principals, teachers, parents, and students across the district. Her love of nature and the outdoors has taken her to Hawaii, California, Mexico, and Guatemala to study different sustainability and farming methods. Nancy brings a peaceful and culturally competent perspective to the work she does and the interactions she has. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and dancing salsa!
Nancy is certified in clinical herbalism from the Wildflower School of Botanical Medicine and has experience teaching kids and adults about nature and medicinal plants. She is a certified community yoga instructor from the Amala Foundation; she infuses mindfulness practices into her personal and professional life. As a trained facilitator, she has worked closely with other facilitators and AISD's Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) team to provide mindfulness training to principals, teachers, parents, and students across the district. Her love of nature and the outdoors has taken her to Hawaii, California, Mexico, and Guatemala to study different sustainability and farming methods. Nancy brings a peaceful and culturally competent perspective to the work she does and the interactions she has. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and dancing salsa!
Matthew Garland, Co-Manager of Curriculum & Training
Matthew Garland is a former AISD teacher, a school garden collaborator and the founder of the Nearby Naturalists nature program. His love of nature began as a child, exploring the ditches and bayous of his neighborhood in Houston. His mother established a protocol that he must always present new turtles and snakes for inspection at the front door, before bringing them into the house. A childhood filled with nature-based learning eventually led him to education. As a teacher at Zilker elementary, he helped to organize and establish a campus vegetable garden. He created a series of outdoor lessons for use in the garden and helped to facilitate the Garden to Cafe program at his campus. He also developed a sustainable classroom model that included composting, water capture and outdoor learning areas. In 2021, he founded Nearby Naturalists to help connect children with nature right where they live. He joined the PEAS staff to help implement grant projects. He lives in south Austin with his spouse and two daughters, a dog named Shelby and quite a few chickens.
Matthew Garland is a former AISD teacher, a school garden collaborator and the founder of the Nearby Naturalists nature program. His love of nature began as a child, exploring the ditches and bayous of his neighborhood in Houston. His mother established a protocol that he must always present new turtles and snakes for inspection at the front door, before bringing them into the house. A childhood filled with nature-based learning eventually led him to education. As a teacher at Zilker elementary, he helped to organize and establish a campus vegetable garden. He created a series of outdoor lessons for use in the garden and helped to facilitate the Garden to Cafe program at his campus. He also developed a sustainable classroom model that included composting, water capture and outdoor learning areas. In 2021, he founded Nearby Naturalists to help connect children with nature right where they live. He joined the PEAS staff to help implement grant projects. He lives in south Austin with his spouse and two daughters, a dog named Shelby and quite a few chickens.
Lauren Reneé Salinas-Garcia, Outdoor Education Specialist
Lauren Reneé Salinas-Garcia is deeply devoted to celebrating the natural world, as she journeys her path to reconnect to her own indigenous roots and practices. As a teacher, her passion lies in mentorship, youth advocacy, and awakening wonder and community amongst her students. She has experience working in nursery schools, summer camps, elementary and high schools. In 2015 she transitioned from an early childcare center into youth services with the Parks & Rec Department in San Marcos. Over the next few years, her path led her to work as a Teacher's Assistant for AISD. This experience invigorated her passion for Outdoor Education. Lauren Reneé believes one thing that remains constant, is the human necessity for deep connection with the natural world and the equanimity this provides. Her core mission is to provide children an equitable and expansive environment with opportunities to elevate, explore, discover and create, in harmony with nature and community.
Lauren Reneé Salinas-Garcia is deeply devoted to celebrating the natural world, as she journeys her path to reconnect to her own indigenous roots and practices. As a teacher, her passion lies in mentorship, youth advocacy, and awakening wonder and community amongst her students. She has experience working in nursery schools, summer camps, elementary and high schools. In 2015 she transitioned from an early childcare center into youth services with the Parks & Rec Department in San Marcos. Over the next few years, her path led her to work as a Teacher's Assistant for AISD. This experience invigorated her passion for Outdoor Education. Lauren Reneé believes one thing that remains constant, is the human necessity for deep connection with the natural world and the equanimity this provides. Her core mission is to provide children an equitable and expansive environment with opportunities to elevate, explore, discover and create, in harmony with nature and community.
Mariana "Mo'' Bonilla, Outdoor Education Specialist
Mariana is passionate about nature, agriculture, and education. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies at the New College of Florida. Her experience working for several small organic farms and non-profits in Central Texas has provided her with a well-rounded perspective on our local food system, with a specialized focus on food justice. Mariana is a trained Clinical Herbalist through the Wildflower School of Botanical Medicine where she teaches classes on the weekends. She's excited to empower our youth through education about the natural world!
Mariana is passionate about nature, agriculture, and education. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies at the New College of Florida. Her experience working for several small organic farms and non-profits in Central Texas has provided her with a well-rounded perspective on our local food system, with a specialized focus on food justice. Mariana is a trained Clinical Herbalist through the Wildflower School of Botanical Medicine where she teaches classes on the weekends. She's excited to empower our youth through education about the natural world!
Magda Hernandez, Outdoor Education Specialist
Magda Hernandez is thrilled to continue her work in the education field with PEAS. Previously she worked as a field trainer at The Meadows Center for Preventing Educational Risk at UT Austin where she implemented research-based curriculum, facilitated courses, and collaborated with teachers to strengthen their best practices. Before that Magda taught for 20+ years in bilingual education with students in grades K-5th. Her intention is to help students, young and older, remember the joy of nature and the lessons to be learned from nature.
Magda is constantly learning how we can work for the land under various teachers with the Austin Permaculture Guild, Sacred Journey School of Herbalism and School of the Sacred Wild. Her interests include yoga, herbalism, plant medicine, food forest, and drumming with Bateristas Do Coraḉão. She is happiest when she gets to spend time with her husband, daughter, and two dogs.
Magda Hernandez is thrilled to continue her work in the education field with PEAS. Previously she worked as a field trainer at The Meadows Center for Preventing Educational Risk at UT Austin where she implemented research-based curriculum, facilitated courses, and collaborated with teachers to strengthen their best practices. Before that Magda taught for 20+ years in bilingual education with students in grades K-5th. Her intention is to help students, young and older, remember the joy of nature and the lessons to be learned from nature.
Magda is constantly learning how we can work for the land under various teachers with the Austin Permaculture Guild, Sacred Journey School of Herbalism and School of the Sacred Wild. Her interests include yoga, herbalism, plant medicine, food forest, and drumming with Bateristas Do Coraḉão. She is happiest when she gets to spend time with her husband, daughter, and two dogs.
Jenny Sladek, Outdoor Education Specialist
Jenny has over 15 years experience as a classroom teacher, working for 8+ years as Science Teacher and Department Chair at the Austin Independent School District to incorporate S.T.E.A.M. and Whole-Child elements into her instruction. She spent 3 years in UT’s MERSEC/NASCENT program developing curriculum for students based upon current research. She has also worked with numerous non-profit organizations, such as the National Wildlife Federation, the Sustainable Food Center, Whole Kids Foundation, and more, to build educational, student-centered science programming, and has coordinated projects that include a monarch garden, an organic vegetable garden, and a S.T.E.A.M. lab. Her goal is to inspire curiosity, creativity, and collaboration through community and education.
Jenny has over 15 years experience as a classroom teacher, working for 8+ years as Science Teacher and Department Chair at the Austin Independent School District to incorporate S.T.E.A.M. and Whole-Child elements into her instruction. She spent 3 years in UT’s MERSEC/NASCENT program developing curriculum for students based upon current research. She has also worked with numerous non-profit organizations, such as the National Wildlife Federation, the Sustainable Food Center, Whole Kids Foundation, and more, to build educational, student-centered science programming, and has coordinated projects that include a monarch garden, an organic vegetable garden, and a S.T.E.A.M. lab. Her goal is to inspire curiosity, creativity, and collaboration through community and education.
Sierra Nics, Kitchen Education Specialist
Sierra "Nics" has over a decade of experience in various food service roles. From delis to coffee shops, bartending to bakeries they have done it all! They are a proud Texan who has lived all over their favorite state. Born outside of Dallas, attended university in Waco, found wide open spaces out west in Marfa and has called Austin home for the past 3 years. Nics has a passion for food that was established early on by watching and learning from their mother - whose Cajun roots still run deep through all of Nics' cooking and character. Nics started with PEAS as an intern for the Kitchen Program and is excited to help expand edible education through Austin’s public schools. They believe confidence comes from experience and love encouraging mistakes and messes through food and learning.
Sierra "Nics" has over a decade of experience in various food service roles. From delis to coffee shops, bartending to bakeries they have done it all! They are a proud Texan who has lived all over their favorite state. Born outside of Dallas, attended university in Waco, found wide open spaces out west in Marfa and has called Austin home for the past 3 years. Nics has a passion for food that was established early on by watching and learning from their mother - whose Cajun roots still run deep through all of Nics' cooking and character. Nics started with PEAS as an intern for the Kitchen Program and is excited to help expand edible education through Austin’s public schools. They believe confidence comes from experience and love encouraging mistakes and messes through food and learning.
