About Us
Village Voyagers
When the founder’s children began their kindergarten journey, we noticed a gap where play, curiosity, and engaged learning could flourish. To address this, we decided to test a play- and project-based curriculum with five kindergartners for a semester. The response from both students and families was incredibly positive, inspiring us to expand our program.
Our founder, Emily Murray, is a dedicated educator with multiple degrees in human development, family systems, education, early childhood, and developmental pediatrics. She designs dynamic curricula tailored to each child’s unique interests and learning styles. Village Voyagers have explored a variety of subjects, from human biology to space and earth sciences. For the 2025-2026 school year, our focus will be on Stories and Storytelling, promising another enriching and engaging experience for our young learners.
Village Voyagers Team
Emily Murray
Cinthia Vazquez Ramirez
Nina Kelley
Cheri Rao
Emily attended Smith College and UConn, receiving a BS in Child Development and Family Studies, before receiving a New York City Teaching Fellowship and moving to NYC to begin her master’s work at City College. She simultaneously taught in special education classrooms for two years while receiving her degree. Following that, Emily got her certification as a licensed yoga instructor, and taught yoga while beginning a new master’s program at the Bank Street College of Education, in developmental pediatrics (Child Life). She completed her internship at Bellevue Hospital, and following graduation, she founded a developmental pediatrics program at Harlem Hospital, and was the director of it and the associate director of the pediatrics department until leaving NYC in 2014. Emily then co-founded an outpatient Child Life department at UCSF Benioff in 2015, before taking maternity leave in 2016. Emily is an end of life doula, certified by UVM and the Osher Center of Integrative Health. She founded Village Voyagers in the fall of 2022 alongside Cinthia Vazquez Ramirez and Cheri Rao, and has been the director and classroom instructor since then.
Originally from Mexico, Cinthia Vazquez began her journey in early childhood education while learning English at Loma Vista Adult Center. During this time, she worked for eight years at a licensed home daycare, where she discovered her passion for nurturing and supporting young children.
Her dedication to the field led her to join Project Access, a unique program that supports English as a Second Language (ESL) learners pursuing careers in child development. Through this program, she furthered her education and earned her Associate Teacher Certificate in Child Development from Diablo Valley College.
With over 11 years of hands-on experience as a childcare provider and nanny, Cinthia brings warmth, patience, and compassion into every space she works in. She is deeply committed to helping children thrive emotionally, socially, and intellectually by encouraging curiosity, confidence, and joy.
Today, she proudly serves as the co-founder of Village Voyagers, an after-school program built on the belief that children learn best through exploration and connection. Her role includes designing curriculum based on students’ interests, organizing field trip logistics, supporting healthy nutrition, and offering daily emotional and social guidance. Cinthia is passionate about creating a safe, loving, and inspiring environment where every child feels seen and supported.
Her dedication to the field led her to join Project Access, a unique program that supports English as a Second Language (ESL) learners pursuing careers in child development. Through this program, she furthered her education and earned her Associate Teacher Certificate in Child Development from Diablo Valley College.
With over 11 years of hands-on experience as a childcare provider and nanny, Cinthia brings warmth, patience, and compassion into every space she works in. She is deeply committed to helping children thrive emotionally, socially, and intellectually by encouraging curiosity, confidence, and joy.
Today, she proudly serves as the co-founder of Village Voyagers, an after-school program built on the belief that children learn best through exploration and connection. Her role includes designing curriculum based on students’ interests, organizing field trip logistics, supporting healthy nutrition, and offering daily emotional and social guidance. Cinthia is passionate about creating a safe, loving, and inspiring environment where every child feels seen and supported.
Nina Kelley is a dynamic, perceptive, and goal-oriented professional poised to effect positive change on a global scale. Hailing from the Bay Area, Nina received her education at a bilingual institution from kindergarten through eighth grade, fostering fluency in French. Her enduring passion for child development emerged early, as evidenced by her experience as a babysitter and nanny, followed by engagements at summer camps and instructing dance classes. Subsequently, she transitioned to working with infants and toddlers, demonstrating a commitment to enriching young lives.
After earning a BA in Psychology from Western Washington University, Cheri began her career as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor and a Recruiter. In 2017, following a fulfilling 15 years as a stay-at-home parent, she re-entered the workforce as an Estate Manager and Executive Assistant, supporting several families and small businesses. Cheri is also the co-founder of Village Voyagers, where she utilizes her extensive experience to skillfully manage logistics, operations, and behind-the-scenes business functions.