ZigZag Agile Learning Community:
Where Kids Lead Their Learning
Learning here is active, joyful, and experiential, grounded in meaningful projects and everyday problem-solving. Our mixed-age community of kids ages 4–16 learns through play, exploration, and collaboration, supported by facilitators and families who help bring their ideas to life.
Our Campus
Our program takes place at our campus located close to Bent Creek on three beautiful acres of terraced fields, trees, creek, and small ponds. We have set up multiple indoor and outdoor spaces for the variety of activities that take place every day: an open workshop for woodworking and maker/tinkering space, an aerial gym, flexible classroom spaces, art space, movement space, a music building, a kitchen, hangout spaces with couches, a field for soccer and field games, a tree house, large outdoor decks, and chill spaces with hammocks.
We also have a large collection of books, board games, musical instruments, science kits, art supplies, physical sports equipment, and loose parts for creating endless imaginary play.
What We Practice
Who We Are
ZigZag is a living, growing community where kids direct their own learning within a culture of connection, creativity, and care. We’re parents, facilitators, and families co-creating a space where learning feels joyful and real.
What We Believe
Learning Is Natural
Learning happens all the time in so many contexts
Kids Make Meaningful Choices
Freedom comes with real responsibility and genuine decision-making.
Culture Shapes Learning
What matters most are the relationships and environment that surround us.
International ALC Network
Prof. Peter Gray's quick primer on the basics of Self-Directed Education from the Alliance for Self-Directed Education
Our People
Facilitator/Founder
Keli Bryan co-founded ZigZag in 2015. Her dream and mission has been to create a space for children to thrive, to be themselves, to discover and pursue what inspires them and gives them fulfillment. She loves playing with kids and learning more about everything they are into. She loves being a resource for kids and teens as they pursue their own goals.
Keli's professional background includes work as an elementary Art teacher, and later as a high school Biology, Art, and English teacher. She has been a consultant to school districts in NJ to implement service-learning and social-emotional learning programs. She has worked as a school psychology researcher, and taught intro level statistics and psychology classes at Rutgers University. She has also been a parenting coach and workshop facilitator for topics such as compassionate communication with children, play-based learning, peaceful parenting, self-directed education, and power-with relationships.
Keli holds a Masters in Education, and a Masters in Clinical/Community Psychology. Since moving to Asheville, she co-founded Asheville Adventure Play, a group that offers free child-led play events to the community, and then ZigZag ALC. More recently, she completed a coding bootcamp and has been teaching kids and teens to code online and at ZigZag.
Matthew Colombo came to ZigZag in 2022 after a year of zigzaging through the American Southwest and the inner landscapes of Soul Canyon. A friend recommended he come to ZigZag, and he never left! Matthew shared his skills of basket weaving, friction fire making, drumming, improvisational singing, and animal processing/hide tanning. He continued to show up because he wanted to and because people kept asking, "will you be here next week?"
He holds and navigates space for kids to explore their own paths and directions, not pretending that he knows how it is done. At ZigZag he continues to be more himself, so as to invite others into their genuine greatness, and everything else that they are. ZigZag is one of the places that he can do his work in the world and the world can do its work on him.
Matthew enjoys singing and making music, growing/preparing food, writing, practicing acrobatics and improvising life. He has had former lives dwelling in a wigwam for one year, as a Scientist and Organizational Development Specialist at the Environmental Protection Agency, and a University researcher studying mercury pollution. Matthew holds a PhD. in Environmental Science.
Ani Jaffe grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and graduated from a school for Self-Directed Education. She later moved to Asheville to attend Warren Wilson College, where she earned her degree in Expressive Arts Therapy. Along the way, she worked with Sound Thinking NYC, gained experience as a nanny, spent time on a farm in Tuscany, and supported residents at Givens Highland Farms as a programming assistant in the healthcare center.
Ani is passionate about using the arts, music, and creative writing, as powerful tools for social-emotional learning and connection. She believes creativity helps young people better understand themselves, build confidence, and form meaningful relationships with others. As a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter, she loves creating spaces where kids feel safe to express themselves and collaborate.
Ani's excited to help build a vibrant, inclusive community at ZigZag, one where kids feel supported, heard, and free to grow both creatively and emotionally.
Latoya Salter grew up in East Windsor, New Jersey, and studied Early Childhood Education at Lynn University. She went on to teach pre-kindergarten for 12 years before becoming a homeschooling mom of many. After discovering the world of self-directed learning, she began facilitating a variety of programs for young learners in her homeschool community, a passion that has continued to shape her approach to education.
Nine years ago, she moved to North Carolina, where she has further cultivated her love for creativity and connection. From a young age, she was deeply active in community theater and music, participating in numerous productions that sparked her lifelong passion for the arts.
Alongside her work with children, she regularly practices sound meditation and forest bathing—both of which have been integral parts of her own healing journey. This love for the restorative power of sound and nature led her to become a certified sound healing practitioner and eco-therapist.
She is excited to bring all of her passions together by offering theater, sound sessions, mindful play, and by holding space for kids at ZigZag to explore their creativity, authenticity, and connection with the world around them.
Alexis Dias is from San Diego, CA and moved to Asheville after working as an organic farmer on the island of Kauai. She is the author of an environmental fantasy novel called Our Sunty, which embeds environmental knowledge and spiritual wisdom into a magical story. Alexis makes fruit seed jewelry, creatively crochets, practices acro-yoga, and loves to barefoot hike.
After earning a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies with an emphasis on Appropriate Technology, Alexis traveled all over the United States, exploring culture, the land, and herself. Sustainability and care for the Earth are important to her and she brings this into everything she does.
Alexis is excited to offer her care for the environment and writing skills to the ZigZag kids, offering creative writing, storytelling, gardening, zero-waste, upcycling and more!
Anne supports operations, communication, and the rhythm of the ZigZag community. She helps keep the parts of the school running smoothly, from schedules and enrollment to family communication, making sure everyone has the information and support they need.
One day each week she facilitates offerings in podcasting, debate, theatre, or stage combat, inviting students to experiment, collaborate, and grow their confidence.
Anne holds a BFA in Theatre and Dance, a BS in Science, and a Master’s in Nursing, and works full time as an award-winning voice actor. She enjoys combining organization and creativity to help ZigZag run smoothly and feel like a place where both kids and adults can do their best work.
Council
Lora Clem
Zig Zag is an invaluable asset to my family and the greater WNC homeschool community. Serving on the council allows me to contribute to the sustainability of this program.
Julie Thomas
I joined the ZigZag Council because I care deeply about this community. ZigZag has been life-changing for my kids, and I love being connected with the families here.
Martha Taylor
I love serving on the ZigZag Council and as a parent volunteer. As a neurodivergent parent passionate about child-led learning, my hope is to have a voice that helps make ZigZag even more accessible for all kids.
Ceiara Cartony
I’m honored to serve on the ZigZag Council. Staying involved helps me stay connected, open-hearted, and supportive of our diverse community as we learn and grow together.
MJ Lennon
ZigZag has given my children and me a priceless sense of community and growth. I’m grateful to give back through the Parent Council and help us all continue to thrive.
Core Values
Harmony
We strive to create a space where everyone feels safe and at ease, emotionally and physically.
Community
We co-create our culture, hold shared agreements and support one another.
Connection
We intentionally make space for real connection through conversation, play, learning, and shared experience.
Care
We show up for each other and show care for the well-being of the group, the space, and ourselves.
Agility
We stay responsive and flexible…like nature, we adapt!
Choice
We trust that when people are given space to follow what’s meaningful to them, they grow in confidence, care, and connection.
“I love so many things about the space…”
“So grateful to have you all in our lives with this beautiful option of learning and cultivating a lifetime of curiosity and friendships for our kids. I couldn’t ask for more in a school. My heart is full.”
— Susanna