Emily Niehaus, Head of School
Emily is the founder of Heron School. She grew up in Ohio with a passion for recreation, learning, and finding creative outlets to keep her busy. She holds a Master’s Degree in Applied Sociology from Clemson University, where she studied human behaviour and published her thesis entitled “Environmental Attitudes and Behaviours Among Whitewater Recreationists”. She moved to Moab in 2002 with an open heart to be of service in her life. She is the founder of Community Rebuilds (a nonprofit building affordable housing in Moab with participating homeowners utilizing a student education program), and she is the former Mayor of Moab.
Click on this link to read about the inspiration behind Heron School.
Emilia Cubelos, Dean of Students & Humanities Lead Instructor
Emilia grew up in Moab (where she graduated valedictorian of her class) and returned in 2021 to reconnect and be of service to the community she calls home. Emilia is fluent in both English and Spanish and holds a B.A. in International Studies from Willamette University. Her scholarly work emphasizes postcolonial and gender studies, and she was a recipient of a Carson Grant research award for field research she conducted in South Africa. Her published work on linguistic equity can be found in Social Justice. Emilia has over 10 years of speech and debate experience as both a decorated international competitor and educator. In her freetime, she enjoys reading, traveling, cooking, spending time with her cat, and getting outside.
John Truitt, STEM and Humanities Lead Instructor
John is the founder of On the Spectrum Foundation and a 2e advocate. John has over 20 years of executive and senior management experience in the medical device and biotech space and was instrumental in the public listing of the sleep medicine company SomnoMed (ASX:SOM). John is a proud autistic adult, an artist and musician, an American citizen, and an Australian permanent resident that has worked throughout the United Kingdom, Asia Pacific, Canada and the United States. When he is not instructing at Heron School, John spends his days with his wife Ashley in Durango.
Lindsay Trudeau, Adjunct Science Instructor
Lindsay is an artist and educator with an MEd and 13 years of experience teaching and learning on the Colorado Plateau. Since moving to Moab in 2010, she has worked for a multitude of schools and nonprofits in the area, including Science Moab, The Paradox Valley Charter School and The Moab Charter School. She is currently pursuing a BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst). Outside of school Lindsay is a poet, painter, and packrafter.
Malcolm Campbell-Taylor, Adjunct Theater Instructor
Malcom holds a BA in theater from the University of Georgia, and is excited to share his love of theater with Heron School students.
