Zacil Sassy Nash
Horticulture Teacher &
Lead Extended Day Teacher
snash@nantucketlighthouseschool.org
Meet Sassy
M.Ed. Elementary Education, Merrimack College
M.A. Spanish, University of Central Arkansas
Originally from Mexico and a U.S. Air Force veteran, Sassy is an educator with over 20 years of experience working with children of all ages—from toddlers to college students—in classrooms, gardens, museums, theaters, and outdoor education settings.
Through a journey that has taken her across the country, Sassy has held positions with Heifer International, Nature’s Classroom in New England, and The Outdoor School in Texas. In each setting, she has embraced the opportunity to teach about sustainability, food systems, and environmental stewardship through hands-on, immersive learning.
Sassy made Nantucket her year-round home in 2018, joining Nantucket Intermediate School as a Spanish teacher. She sits on the board of Sustainable Nantucket.
Sassy holds a master’s degree in Spanish from the University of Central Arkansas, a master’s degree in education from Merrimack College, and is currently pursuing a doctorate in education from Merrimack College. Whether she's teaching a class, managing a theater program, or tending to the garden with children, she brings energy, creativity, and a deep belief in nurturing curious, compassionate, and engaged citizens of the earth.
What Nantucket Lighthouse School means to Sassy
“Nantucket Lighthouse School feels like home—warm and welcoming. The way the school approaches learning—through exploration, curiosity, and collaboration—is exactly how I learn best, which makes me excited to teach in that way. From soil to harvest, working in the garden brings me peace and teaches me something new every day.”
