Hello! I am Maureen Cattaneo, but most people call me “Ms. Cat.” New School is such an amazing community and I am honored to teach here! 2026-27 will be my fourth year teaching at New School. Prior to that I lived and taught social studies and visual arts in San Luis Obispo County. I started my career in education doing reading intervention and later earned a Masters of Teaching in Social Studies degree. I teach all of the social studies courses at New School including history, ethnic studies, government and economics. I also possess teaching credentials in Art and Home Economics, so on Fridays you may find me teaching Ceramics or Culinary Arts. New School is such a unique place to teach and learn! We don’t expect perfection, just that we all keep growing. We support each other and we “Never Give Up!” 

 

For the past few years, I have worked with the Santa Cruz County Office of Education as an alternative education teacher. These positions led me to my new position at New School. I am excited to be working here. I know that education can change lives for the better. 

                                      

 

 

Juan Ospina is a Colombian flautist, producer, composer, and educator, and the creative director behind Olemano. Originally from Bucaramanga, Colombia, Juan uses the flute as a lead voice, blending Latin American roots, improvisation, and electronic textures to create an energetic and contemporary sound. Juan has performed internationally in concert halls, festivals, and multimedia productions. He holds a Bachelor of Music from the National University of Colombia and a Flute Performance degree from Texas Christian University, and has performed with major orchestras including the Dallas Opera and the Philharmonic Orchestra of Bogotá. As an educator with El Sistema Santa Cruz, Juan integrates performance, music production, and social-emotional learning. He is currently focused on composing, recording, performing original music with Olemano, and collaborating with multidisciplinary artists.