Tyler Powles was born and raised in New Jersey, where from an early age he pursued a passion for experiencing and learning more about music. While in Boston studying at Emerson College, Tyler was the college’s Community Service Coordinator, and served in Americorps as a Team Lead and Program Assistant focused on language and literacy in neighborhood preschools. While studying abroad, Tyler created a program for Emerson students to volunteer in schools supporting dual language learning students in the Netherlands. Having cultivated a fascination for the music and cultural history of the Bay Area, Tyler enthusiastically accepted a position teaching 4th grade at Caliber: Beta Academy in Richmond, California. While at Caliber, Tyler became the 4th grade Team Lead, the 3-5 Grade Science Program and Curriculum Lead, and mentored two aspiring teachers. Tyler joined the Crowden community to continue developing inquiry-based curriculum, to support social emotional learning, and to create the conditions for curiosity and cooperation in the classroom. When he isn’t teaching, Tyler is often hiking, enjoying live music, or volunteering at Omni Commons in Oakland.