Our team
Coi Morrison, Founding Director
Coi Morrison is an educator, writer, and mom of four. With over 15 years of experience as an educator and instructional leader, Coi has served children and their families in various capacities, including as an elementary classroom teacher and instructional coach.
After becoming disillusioned with the state of education as we know it, Coi transitioned from the K-12 education setting to a corporate role. However, her heart remained in education, and in July of 2020 she founded The Black Inquiry Project and released the first BlackIQ – an inquiry-based curriculum that centers Black voices and the Black experience in America. Coi was the recipient of a grant from the Abolitionist Teaching Network for her work with The Black Inquiry Project.
Coi launched The Lab School in hopes that families who value curiosity, freedom of thought, and the power that comes from self-discovery and strength of identity can rest, finally, in an empowered community. The Lab School believes every child’s humanity and innate gifts will guide them to everything they need, and with structure, and freedom of choice, they will find their path and flourish.
Sarah Hooker, Sr. Spark Studio Guide & Mental Health Counselor
Sarah joins us with 7 years of experience in education. Sarah has a MS in Mental Health Counseling and has spent her time in schools working as a school counselor and behavioral health specialist supporting the behavioral, emotional and social needs of her students. While she loved her time spent in the public education system she often found herself working against the grain in a lot of ways. She was frequently advocating for her students to have more freedom and flexibility in the way they learn and navigate their day in school. Sometimes this was met with understanding but at times it was met with hesitation.
Sarah and her husband recently moved to Memphis which gave Sarah an opportunity to pursue a career outside of the public education system that she was needing a break from. Sarah stumbled upon The Lab School and immediately felt a strong connection and passion for what it stood for and believed in. Although new to the Acton model, we believe she will be a great asset to our school community and specifically the social and emotional learning of our students.
Outside of school Sarah enjoys hiking, running, biking and spending as much time outside as she can with her husband and dog!
Mohogany Guinn, Jr. Spark Studio Guide
Mohogany has worked passionately in education for 10 years and possesses a true love for working with our youngest learners! She is a Memphis native, currently in the last year of her undergraduate program at The LeMoyne-Owen College where she will receive a Bachelor’s degree in Education.
Mohogany is certified in VEX Robotics, in addition to being a STEM Ambassador for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Amazon Boot-UP. Helping each child advance in all areas of their development—academic, social, language, and motor—is a challenge that Mohogany is honored to accept daily. She aims to create a community of little Sparks that nurtures their growth in a positive, fun environment.
Outside of school, Mohogany enjoys nature, music, sports, crafting, traveling, and spending time with friends and family. Mohogany looks forward to working in partnership with our families to discover each learner’s gifts and spark their minds with all the wonder the world has to offer!
Marta Torres-Cancel, Spanish Language Guide
Marta is originally from “La Isla de Encanto”, Puerto Rico. She has lived in the States for over 30 years, the last eight of those here in Memphis, TN.
Marta is a Certified Professional Educator in Tennessee and Georgia. Marta began her teaching career in Spotsylvania, Virginia where she helped develop the Spanish Elementary school curriculum. She has taught in public school (elementary and high school levels), as well as private schools. Since moving to Memphis, she has taught Pre-K to 6th grade and high school.
Marta considers herself a lifelong learner, who has kept herself busy in the past three years learning to incorporate technology efficiently into her teaching practices. Marta believes that teaching another language is teaching others how to understand and appreciate others while learning their language and their culture.
Outside of guiding young learners, Marta enjoys spending time with her family and pets, cooking and baking, and running. At home you can find Marta riding her road bike with her husband and in group rides. Marta enjoys the outdoors, visiting the Dixon, the Botanical Garden, and the Riverfront.
Alvin Abston, Physical Development Guide & Tennis Professional
Alvin started his tennis journey in the early 90s as a student at one of the organizations that would eventually become Tennis Memphis – the Tennis Association for Memphis Youth. After his career as a collegiate tennis player at LeMoyne-Owen College in 2001, he worked as the assistant director of tennis at Camp Lohikan in Lake Como, Pennsylvania for six years.
Alvin has been a member of the Tennis Memphis staff since 2015. He is happy to have the opportunity to help mentor and mold players across the City of Memphis.