Susy Boschetti-Rios shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Susy, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? Who are you learning from right now?
I’m currently pursuing my Doctorate of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, with a consistent focus on dyslexia. While I’m learning a great deal through research and coursework, the truth is, the kids are my greatest teachers. They challenge me daily, offer new insights, and constantly remind me why this work matters.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Susy Boschetti-Rios, founder and director of SALT Academy, an accredited K–12 program in Boca Raton, Florida. We’re a small but mighty school that sits somewhere between a microschool and a traditional private school, currently serving about 50 students. We started before I even knew what “microschooling” was, and looking back, I realize we were early pioneers in our area, driven more by instinct than trend.
SALT began as something deeply personal: a way to preserve my own children’s love of learning. I wanted to create a space where curiosity, creativity, and joy could thrive, where learning wasn’t something to fear, but something to love. I’ve always believed that learning should never stop, and that belief begins in childhood. Making sure my children felt that truth was incredibly important to me.
Due to its small and personalized nature, SALT naturally became a refuge for other children who didn’t quite fit in traditional classrooms, especially those with dyslexia and other learning differences. Over time, helping these students didn’t just become part of my work; it became my passion and my purpose.
Today, I’m pursuing my Doctorate of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, with a specialty in Special Education. My studies focus intentionally on dyslexia and the science of how children learn. That knowledge directly informs our approach at SALT, where we use multisensory, whole-child methods that help students build both confidence and competence.
Over the years, many have tried to replicate what we’ve built. But what makes SALT truly special isn’t just our model; it’s our heart and our teachers. Our team is deeply committed, endlessly creative, and genuinely invested in each child’s success. We blend research and evidence-based practices with a human-centered approach that you simply can’t duplicate with a textbook, template, or manual.
We continue to work every day to create the best possible space for students with dyslexia, as well as those who carry a heavier emotional load, students who may hesitate to speak up, take risks, or feel comfortable in fast-paced, overstimulating settings. At SALT, we prioritize emotional safety just as much as academic growth. Our students are seen, supported, and encouraged to learn at their own pace, and more importantly, to rediscover the joy of learning.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I was a curious girl who thought learning was pure magic. I used to line up my stuffed animals and teach them how to read, making up lessons and pretending I had a classroom of my own. I found joy in stories, asked a million questions, and always noticed the kids who were left out or struggling. I wanted to help them, even then.
Before the world told me to be practical, I dreamed big. I imagined schools that felt like home, where learning was hands-on, joyful, and personal. I believed education should inspire, not intimidate. I didn’t have the words for it at the time, but deep down, I knew I was meant to create something different.
That little version of me never really went away. She just got quieter for a while. Until I had kids of my own, and suddenly everything came full circle. That’s when I realized I was their voice, and that their early experiences, which are so fundamental to their healthy development, were in my hands. I built SALT Academy to bring that vision to life, not because the world told me to, but because I finally stopped listening to what the world expected and started becoming who I was always meant to be.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
The loss of my father in 2016 was the defining wound in my life. One that cracked everything open and changed the way I saw the world. In the depths of that grief, I realized how short and unpredictable life truly is, and how much time we spend living by expectations that aren’t our own. It was in that pain that I made a quiet, powerful decision: I would start following my heart. I would stop waiting for permission. That moment became the beginning of a new chapter where purpose, not perfection, would guide me.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would say that at my core, I’m driven by two things: family and a heart for service. They’ve seen me drop everything to be there for the people I love, and they know that my heart is most at home when I’m supporting someone through a challenge or cheering them on through a win. My friends will tell you if it’s lost, lonely, or left on the side of the road, I’ll probably try to rescue it. Whether it has fur, feathers, or just “potential,” it’s coming home with me. I’m most fulfilled when I feel like I’m making a difference. For me, success is measured by the impact I leave on the people around me.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
It would be the moments that left a mark: the student who started to believe in themselves, the teacher I had the chance to guide and grow, the person who felt seen through a small act of kindness and decided to pass it on. That’s what I hope people remember about me. More than anything, I want my story to show that anything is possible when your heart is fully in it, because that’s where the real magic begins.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.saltacademy.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saltboca
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saltboca
Image Credits
I will email other images separately if you need more, as the website is not letting me upload more
