Meet Our Team
Jason Aulicino
Founder, Executive Director, Teacher
Jason Aulicino is the Founder, Executive Director, and lead teacher for Treetop Academics. He has been at Edison for past 17+ years where he has created and implemented curriculum for all Treetop programs. Jason is currently TSPC Oregon certified and holds a master’s degree in Elementary Education, a master’s education in Conflict & Dispute Resolution, and a degree in Music. As a parent of a previous 4j student, Jason is also an advocate in the classroom and for K- 12 education. Jason is a past Edison Parent Council president, classroom volunteer, and has served on many of Edison’s parent committees. You may also see him in Edison’s classrooms as a substitute teacher. Jason resides in the SUN neighborhood and is on the SUNA Board. Jason’s vision for Treetop is an academically diverse and unique after-school program that goes beyond childcare and provides an experience that students will love.
Sarah Wagner
Teacher/Assist Director
Sarah grew up in the Eugene area and returned after studying chemistry, anthropology, and psychology during university. Sarah has been working with Treetop Academics since 2016 and now serves as a lead teacher and assistant director. Sarah loves the unique hands-on projects for learning that our academic classes provide and is a big supporter of creating a safe and fun environment for children to learn and grow. Sarah finds that creating and implementing complex projects that introduce a whole new world to students is an incredibly challenging and rewarding experience! During her free time Sarah is a prolific reader and hiker.
Charlotte
Charlotte has lived in Eugene since 2013 and attended Edison Elementary School, Roosevelt Middle School, and South Eugene High School. She currently attends the University of Oregon and is majoring in Math with minors in Computer Science and Art. She has volunteered/worked for Treetop Academics for over four years as an Aide, and she loves the opportunity to work with students on hands-on projects. In her free time, Charlotte enjoys knitting, crocheting, and going on walks with her dog.
Gillian
Gillian is in her third and final year at the University of Oregon, where she is majoring in English
and minoring in History and French. Before coming to Eugene she lived in a suburb of Portland.
There, she spent many hours baby-sitting for neighbors and working at summer camps. Gillian
loves nurturing children’s learning and development in and out of the classroom. After
graduating, she plans on teaching English to elementary-aged children in France. When she isn’t
at school or work, Gillian enjoys reading, baking, watching movies, traveling, and going on walks
with friends.
Sofia
Sofia is a fourth-year student at the University of Oregon, she is originally from a small suburb in Illinois. She is studying Planning, Public Policy, and Management with minors in Spanish and Architecture. Sofia started working with kids over 5 years ago (and loved it!) and could not be more excited to be part of the team here at Treetop. After graduation, she is hoping to continue working with kids as a youth advocate. Outside of class and work, Sofia is part of a sorority and several clubs on campus, and she enjoys painting, hiking, working out, and reading in her free time!
Gisselle
Gisselle is getting her Master’s Degree in Education at the University of Oregon. She is majored in educational foundations with a minor in psychology and is working toward becoming an elementary school teacher. Gisselle grew up in Oregon (Medford area) and has been living in Eugene for four years. Before her first year working with Treetop Academics, she had worked/volunteered at a couple of different schools in the area. Working at Treetop, she hopes to gain more experience working with children and learn something new. In her free time, Gisselle enjoys several activities, such as photography, reading, and playing board games.
Makenzie
Makenzie grew up in Nevada and moved to Eugene just last year to attend the University of Oregon. She is currently majoring in Family Human Services with an art minor. Makenzie has volunteered and worked with children for many years and hopes to continue to do so throughout and after college. She loves to travel and experience new cultures. In her free time, she loves to rock climb, slackline, hike, and paint. Makenzie also loves to help others and is currently volunteering for a local hospice company in Eugene. She is excited to have the opportunity to work with children and help them grow!
Claire
Claire grew up in Wyoming with her three younger siblings. However, after visiting the West Coast, the University of Oregon quickly became home. As an aspiring elementary school teacher, she is majoring in Educational Foundations and is minoring in Special Education. She loves the opportunity to spend time with children and is passionate in curating a welcoming environment so they can become the strongest version of themselves! In her free time, Claire enjoys traveling, running, hiking, and spending time with her friends and family.
Cate
Cate grew up in Eugene, Oregon, and attended Camas Ridge Elementary School, Spencer Butte Middle School, and South Eugene High School. She currently is a senior at the University of Oregon and is majoring in Education and minoring in Special Ed. After graduation, she plans on completing the UO Teach program to get her master’s degree and teaching license, and ultimately wants to be an elementary teacher. Cate loves to travel and hopes to incorporate that passion with her career by teaching abroad someday. In her free time, Cate loves to hike, ski, sew, read, and spend time with friends, family, and her dog and cat.
Mia
Mia grew up in Eugene and attended Edison elementary school which is where she currently works as a certified educational assistant in kindergarten for the past two years.
Mia’s ultimate objective is to lead with kindness and strive to be a positive influence propelling children to be good humans. During her summers she’s worked with 4J teaching in the KITS program, ESY, and worked in the after school program for the YMCA.
In her free time she enjoys pottery, poetry, and hiking.
Zoe
Zoe is excited to be joining the Treetop Academics team! She just completed her BA at the University of Oregon where she studied Sociology and Secondary Education. She is particularly passionate about the importance of third spaces for youth. Zoe has previously worked with youth in academic and camp contexts. In her free time, Zoe can be found crocheting, exploring outdoors, and reading.
Averly
Averly was raised in Eugene and went to Edison Elementary, Roosevelt Middle School, and
South Eugene High School. She is currently attending Oregon State University and is majoring in
Marketing and Business Administration with an International Business option. She has
volunteered/worked for Treetop Academics since 2019 as an Aide, and loves creating a hands-
on environment and fun place for kids to learn. In her free time, she likes to snowboard, paint,
and spend time with friends and family.
Scarlett
Scarlett has grown up in south Eugene, attending Adams Elementary, Roosevelt Middle School, and is now in her final year at South Eugene High School. She hopes to pursue medicine after high school and wants to work with kids in the future. Her childhood included lots of babysitting and taking care of younger siblings along with being in the outdoors. She loves camping, swimming, and both playing and listening to music.
Morgan
Morgan is a senior at South Eugene High School and is pursuing a full IB diploma. She grew up in Eugene, attending Edison Elementary and Roosevelt Middle School. She plans to pursue science and music during her undergraduate and hopes to enter the field of medicine after completing her degree. As a violinist since the age of 4, she has volunteered with multiple groups of young musicians in addition to being a summer camp counselor. She enjoys camping, traveling, music, and spending time with friends.