Acton Academy Venice Beach is built upon the principles and approach originating at the Acton Academy school in Austin, Texas. We’ve come west to dramatically change the approach to education for those on a Hero’s Journey.
At Acton Academy Venice Beach, your child will embark on their own Hero’s Journey and grow to become a curious, independent thinker who embraces lifelong learning. Our learners “learn by doing” through a variety of project and holistic methods such as individualized curriculum, learning style analysis, and self and peer accountability. Every aspect of the Acton Academy Venice Beach experience is learner driven, steered by lifelong learning guides and viewed as a constant journey of tackling new challenges. Through this experience, learners progress through the essentials of mathematics, reading, writing, history, geography and more, but within the context of the world in which we all live. They each discover their own gifts and cultivate the skills needed to survive and thrive in the real world.
Our mission: Each person who enters our doors will find a calling that will change the world.
Meet the staff of Acton Academy Venice Beach!
Dani Foltz-Smith (right) is Co-Founder, Head of School, and Lead Guide at Acton Academy Venice Beach. Dani is a passionate advocate for education policy and reform and a strong believer in cultivating community of like-minded families with a focus on curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, and finding the joy in learning. Her journey into the realm of Acton Academy commenced with her immersion in the original Acton Academy in Austin, TX, where she honed her skills as a guide, sparking a mission to introduce Acton’s principles to the Los Angeles community.
Before her immersion in education, Dani accumulated valuable experience as an operations director across various organizations and companies in Los Angeles and Chicago. Her tenure included significant leadership and analyst roles at prominent firms like IAC and Morningstar, Inc., where she contributed her expertise to the internet industry. While she enjoyed the tech industry, Dani’s heart drew her back to her genuine passion for education policy. Her commitment to this cause led her to co-found Acton Academy Venice Beach with her husband, where she now spearheads initiatives as Head of School and Lead Guide.
Dani holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Policy from the University of Chicago, a foundation that enriches her approach to educational innovation. Currently residing in Marina Del Rey, CA, she shares her life with her husband and two daughters while actively contributing to the transformative movement in education.
Russell Foltz-Smith is Co-Founder, and the Math & Technology advisor at Acton Academy Venice Beach. Beyond Acton Venice Beach, Russ is a leading business development, technology, and product innovator.
Over a 25+ year period Russ worked on many internet scale knowledge platforms delivering innovation and a few exits from acquisitions to IPOs. Russell’s experience includes key leadership roles with SmarterX, TrueCar, Computational Thinking Initiative, WolframAlpha, Citysearch/IAC, Business.com, AlphaMediaGroup, GrindNetworks and a variety of other ventures.
Russell mentors several start ups, is a Microsoft MVP, and OpenAI Developer Ambassador.
He studied mathematics and theater at University of Chicago and currently resides in Marina Del Rey, CA where you can find him painting, coding, writing, businessing and/or watching the waves roll in.
Jordon McCowen (left) is the Lead Guide at Acton Academy Venice Beach. A Venice, CA native, she plays a crucial role in the community’s transformation, consistently seizing opportunities for growth and learning through the eyes of the learners. With a background in early childhood education from SBCC and extensive experience working with children, Jordan devoted five years to teaching physical education at Coeur D’Alene Avenue Elementary in Venice. Her focus was on emphasizing the importance of maintaining a healthy mind and body for a positive and happy life.
Driven by a passion for fostering holistic well-being, Jordan’s journey led her to Acton Academy. Introduced to the community by a friend who was a a former Acton Eagle. Jordan instantly fell in love with the vibrant energy and continuous growth within the Acton community. Committed to guiding and inspiring learners on the their educational journey, Jordan brings enthusiasm and dedication to the Acton experience.
Jennifer Bauer (left) is a Guide and responsible for Community Outreach at Acton Academy Venice Beach. Jennifer’s journey to Acton began with over two years of substitute teaching experience at Los Angeles Unified School District, where she honed her skills in the classroom and developed a deep understanding of education and student needs.
Before her time in education, Jennifer was a devoted stay-at-home mom and a successful owner of a Fit4Mom franchise. Her experience as a business owner instilled in her a passion for community engagement and building strong relationships within local neighborhoods. Additionally, Jennifer served as the National Training Director for Barkley Court Reporters, bringing her leadership and training expertise to our team.
Prior to her entrepreneurial venture, Jennifer held senior training analyst roles at the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State, showcasing her commitment to excellence and professional development.
During the challenges of the pandemic, Jennifer’s involvement in her children’s education led her to seek a more active role in shaping the future of learning. This experience inspired her to join Acton Academy Venice Beach, where she is dedicated to empowering and guiding learners in innovative ways.
Jennifer’s diverse background and passion for education and community outreach make her an invaluable asset to our team. She is committed to making a positive impact on the lives of those around us and supporting learners of all ages on their educational journey.
Jennifer holds a BSBA in Marketing from The American University in Washington DC. She lives in Playa Vista with her two sons.
Natalie Wiegand is a Guide at Acton Academy Venice Beach. She is excited to be a part of the forward-thinking community of Acton. Originally from New York, Natalie spent 7 years teaching Middle School History in NYC public schools and at Horace Mann School in Riverdale, NY. Natalie moved to LA at the end of 2019 and started tutoring during the pandemic. She really loved working one-on-one with students to help them engage with their learning.
After her move to LA, she also began pursuing more opportunities in music. Originally a classical violinist, she started working on electric violin and now gigs as Violin Vibez with local DJs and bands. In the summer of 2023, Natalie and her boyfriend bought a house in Venice Beach and found that Acton Academy was a quick walk from the new place. She was excited to see a school that was so student-centered and enthusiastically joined the team in September 2023.
Aubrey Grawe (2nd from left) is a Guide at Acton Academy Venice Beach. Aubrey grew up in Iowa where she attended the University of Iowa, graduating with a degree in Elementary Education. Upon graduating, and during her summers in college, she spent time on US Military bases in Hawaii, San Diego, and Italy creating and directing summer camps for the military kids there. After moving to Los Angeles, she had her own classroom teaching 4th grade for three years. As much as she loved her school and her students, she began to crave more space for freedom and flexibility in the classroom.
While taking a year off of teaching, she hiked and camped her way through many National Parks and traveled to Costa Rica to obtain her yoga teaching certificate. She then found her way to Acton where she guides and shares her passions for yoga, the breath, creativity, individuality, and finding joy in each and every moment. She currently enjoys hiking, rollerblading, reading, and soaking in the sunshine every chance she gets!
Alison Vail Fuller is the English Advisor at Acton Academy Venice Beach. Alison holds a B.A. in Theatre and Education with a minor in Special Education. Her unwavering passion for teaching and theatre has led her on a multifaceted creative journey, including developing curriculums that promote playwrighting, journal writing, and inventive playacting. She uses dramatic therapy in the classroom and in her more individualized settings, such as tutoring. Alison began her progressive teaching style many years ago when she lived and taught in Sussex, England. The “Open Classroom” was popular there, and eventually, this approach made its way to the U.S.
Jack Petros is the Science Advisor at Acton Academy Venice Beach.
Notice of Nondiscriminatory Policy as to Students
Acton Academy Venice Beach admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school administered programs.
