Meet Melanie Guerra & Caroline Lee | Melanie (Teaching Director) and Caroline (General Director), Co-Creators of Caleidos

We had the good fortune of connecting with Melanie Guerra & Caroline Lee and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Melanie Guerra, what do you want people to remember about you?
Melanie
We hope to be remembered as people who helped children and families return to who they truly are — whole, worthy, and deeply connected. We believe that education holds the power to heal, liberate, and lay the foundation for a more connected and compassionate world.
At Caleidos, we’ve rooted learning in emotional safety, secure relationships, connection to nature, and the strength of community. Together with families, caregivers, and educators, we’ve created a space where we all feel seen, valued, and free to grow in our own rhythm. If one day someone says, “Because of Caleidos, I felt safe to be myself,” that would be more than enough.

Caroline
We want our legacy to be one of love and liberation. Caleidos exist to remind the world that children flourish in connection — with nature, with themselves, and with the people around them. If people remember that we created a space where children felt deeply safe, seen, and supported — where they could grow into kind, confident, and curious beings — then we’ve done our job. Our hope is that generations from now, there are ripples of justice, joy, and healing that began in our little schoolyard under the trees.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Melanie
With two decades of experience in education and caregiving, I have taught, led, and developed programs across Guatemala, the U.S., and internationally. My background includes not only bilingual and holistic teaching, but also one-on-one life coaching, caregiving, and homeschooling — all of which deepened my understanding of the child as a whole person. As co-founder and Educational Director of Caleidos, I bring a vision rooted in developmental psychology, philosophy, and conscious education. I hold certifications in trauma-informed practice, child development, systemic healing, holistic education, and multilingual learning, and have led programs in diverse cultural and learning environments.
One of the things I’m most proud of is building Caleidos from the ground up — not just as a school, but as a living, breathing community. It’s a space where children, parents, educators, caregivers are seen, heard, and supported to unfold in their own rhythm. That feels like a deep responsibility and an incredible gift.
The journey hasn’t been easy. Choosing to walk outside of traditional systems meant facing uncertainty, financial risk, and at times, resistance to a more relational and intuitive model of education. Along the way, I’ve learned that real change begins with presence, and that growth — for children and adults alike — always starts in relationships.
Caleidos is the living expression of all of this: a place where education is rooted in care, curiosity, and connection.

Caroline
My professional life has always centered around care — for children, families, and the systems meant to support them. I’m a clinical psychologist who specializes in child and family work, and for years I sat with families in pain, trying to help them feel less alone and more understood. But again and again, I saw how our systems aren’t set up to support the work we were doing. That’s what ultimately led me to co-found Caleidos — a place where education and emotional well-being could finally live in the same space.
What sets our work apart is that we don’t separate learning from relationships. We believe that secure attachment, play, and nature are the foundation for deep, meaningful education. I’m proud that we’ve created a school where both children and adults are allowed to be fully human.
The biggest challenge has been building something this personal and values-driven in a world that often prioritizes efficiency over empathy. There’s been financial strain, zoning setbacks, and the emotional weight of holding space for so many people’s hopes. But the lesson has always been this: stay close to your purpose, and let your integrity do the heavy lifting. The right people will find you.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We’d start our morning at Dallas Art Supply, where we’d grab a cup of coffee and pick up art supplies to fuel some creative play. Then we’d swing by La Bodega to gather fresh, delicious food for a picnic at Kidd Springs Park — a peaceful spot where kids can explore and grown-ups can relax under the trees. In the afternoon, we’d visit Beatnik Fine Goods, a beautifully curated store featuring art, women’s and children’s clothing, and thoughtful goods for the home. We’d end the day with dinner at Far Out in Fair Park — where the food is unforgettable and the vibe feels like pure Dallas magic.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Melanie
Caleidos is the result of many hearts coming together with love, trust, and care. I’m especially grateful to the children, who have been my greatest teachers — constantly inviting me to be present, listen deeply, and return to what is essential. To the families and educators who believed in this vision before it had a name, thank you for trusting what was tender and still forming. To my co-creator Caroline, your faith, caregiving, and steady presence made this journey possible. And to nature, and all the quiet mentors along the way — your guidance, seen and unseen, lives in every part of this work.

Caroline
There are so many hands holding Caleidos. We want to honor the children, who teach us every day how to slow down, listen deeply, and lead with curiosity. We shout out the families who trusted us with their little ones and walked beside us as we built something new. And we want to especially recognize Melanie Guerra, our co-founder, who believed in this vision so fully that she moved across the ocean to bring it to life. Her courage, commitment, and heart have shaped every corner of our school. Finally, we’re grateful to the Oak Cliff community — this neighborhood believed in us before we even had walls.

Website: https://caleidos.co

Instagram: @caleidosco

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/caleidos-co

Image Credits
Jenny Lawson Photography