The Board and staff of the Cool Learning Experience (CLE) are excited to announce that Maritza Rocha will succeed Barbara Waller as Executive Director, starting October 1. Maritza comes to CLE from the Little Red Schoolhouse where she managed an impressive visitor and interpretive center – part of the Cook County Forest Preserve Districts.

In her own words, “For me, working with Cool Learning Experience is embarking on a thrilling journey where the intersection of social justice, nature, academics, and the great outdoors ignite my passion.  As ED of CLE I will have the privilege of guiding and empowering young minds to envision their own possibilities and shape their futures.”

The CLE Board and staff and the community at large are grateful for Barbara’s incredible work growing the program over 16 years and she will stay involved with CLE as Founder Emerita. Her knowledge and history with the organization and her continuing commitment to the students, their families, and the community at large is highly valued and will be a powerful complement to Maritza’s leadership.

Maritza is poised to expand the program and the number of children reached. The Board and staff invite the community to support her in that journey.