Founder

Samuel Bennett is an award-winning educator and curriculum innovator with nearly two decades of teaching experience. A three-time Colorado State University Teacher of the Year and recipient of over five Student Choice Teacher of the Year awards, he is known for his deep commitment to student engagement, intellectual rigor, and authentic connection.

Holding graduate degrees from the University of California, Santa Barbara, Bennett’s academic work spans interdisciplinary inquiry and experiential learning, as reflected in his scholarly contributions on Google Scholar. Most recently teaching at Vail Ski & Snowboard Academy, his 2024–2025 student surveys highlight an exceptional classroom culture where over 90% of students report feeling respected, cared for, and academically challenged. Passionate about reimagining education for high-performing student-athletes, he now leads curriculum development at Vail Performance Academy, blending project-based learning with mentorship and real-world exploration.

Mentor: Music, math, entrepreneurship

Jakob Schoenfeld is a Juilliard-trained classical percussionist and a tenured member of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. With performances across the world’s leading concert halls and collaborations with renowned conductors, Jakob brings deep artistry and discipline to every aspect of his work. In addition to his musical excellence, he mentors students in music composition and performance, while also offering rich insights into mathematics and entrepreneurship through his experience in arts innovation and creative leadership. Jakob helps students connect precision with passion—and creativity with real-world thinking.

Mentor: Meditation, Biology, Business, Leadership

Mia Upton is a wellness entrepreneur, international educator, and founder of M Body, where she blends biology, business, and holistic healing. With a background marked by physical adversity including multiple ACL injuries and two craniotomies, Mia brings extraordinary resilience and insight to her mentorship in biology, meditation, and health-focused entrepreneurship.

Her global career in wellness spans two decades, combining movement science, trauma recovery, and mind-body integration. Mia continues advanced training in Core Synchronism and chronic pain science, and mentors students in how cellular health, personal growth, and business innovation intersect. Through her work, she helps young people explore science and self-awareness as tools for both healing and leadership

Mentor: Photography, videography, digital story-telling

Cole Pates is a filmmaker, director of photography, and editor based in Denver, Colorado, known for capturing high-impact visuals across action sports, branded content, and documentary film. Raised in the Colorado mountains, Cole’s creative roots are grounded in winter sports culture, which he has transformed into a global career producing content for leading brands, athletes, and campaigns.

His work combines cinematic vision with technical precision, whether he's filming snowboarders in the backcountry or shaping the narrative arc of a commercial shoot. At Vail Performance Academy, Cole mentors students in photography, videography, and visual storytelling, helping them turn raw footage into powerful, polished narratives that inspire and inform.

Mentor: Writing, research, media

Zoe Goldstein is a journalist and storyteller with a passion for community voices, education, and cultural connection. As a reporter for the Vail Daily, Zoe covers everything from education and healthcare to wildlife and local business, while also serving as editor of the paper’s Spanish-language section, Vail Vida Latina.

A graduate of Harvard College with a degree in English, Zoe brings strong narrative skill and sharp analysis to her mentorship in writing, research, and media. She helps students explore how storytelling—whether through journalism, essays, or creative work—can shape understanding, elevate unheard voices, and drive meaningful change.