LAUREN KENNEDY

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, B.A., Anthropology, Hispanic Studies, Documentary Studies, Arizona State University, M.Ed., Elementary Education

While at UNC, Lauren focused her studies on community development and documenting migrant identity by working with communities in her college town, as well as communities in Mexico, Peru, the Dominican Republic, and Tanzania. She also explored her interest in preventative health by working as a fitness consultant and director of a bilingual women’s wellness group. Lauren taught sixth grade with Teach for America in Phoenix, Arizona, while earning her master’s degree in elementary education. Her passion for arts education and the Latino community inspired her to become a K–8 art teacher and to develop the visual arts program at Chavez Leadership Academy in South Phoenix. She now works as a yoga teacher and health coach at Iora Primary Care, where she collaborates with other health professionals to transform health care by focusing on disease prevention. Lauren is fluent in Spanish and believes the best way to learn a language is to practice without fear of failure.

JONATHAN MCCARTHY

University of Vermont, B.A., History, University of Maryland University College, M.A.T. (candidate)

After graduating from the University of Vermont, Jonathan spent several years exploring his inner culinary artist, gaining restaurant management experience as a sous chef with Iron Hill Brewery and Restaurants. After doing some personal travel through Central and South America, Jonathan moved to the highlands of Bolivia to work as the assistant national director of Sustainable Bolivia, a nonprofit volunteer placement organization that works in the fields of education, social services, and environmental sustainability. In Cochabamba, Jonathan currently teaches high school history at a local international school and is pursuing a Master of Arts in Teaching at the University of Maryland University College. Jonathan spends his free time snapping photos, cycling the Andes, and tilling his urban garden. This is Jonathan’s fifth summer with Putney. He has been a staff member and director of Putney’s Foundations Costa Rica program and has led two cultural exploration trips to Europe.