Dr. Marcus & Katie Green

Our Story

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Coconut Tree Learning & Research was born from the shared vision of Dr. Marcus and Katie Green — a husband-and-wife team driven by the belief that learning for the modern world should be meaningful, accessible, and grounded in real-life purpose.
 

Marcus is a lifelong educator, innovator, and mentor with a deep passion for helping people grow — not just academically, but personally and purposefully. With a background in mathematics and leadership, he has spent over a decade teaching high school students how to think critically, solve complex problems, and understand the “why” behind what they’re learning. Beyond the classroom, Marcus has led school-based innovation programs, designed enrichment experiences, and mentored youth in both academic and real-world settings. His approach is rooted in the belief that education isn’t just about content — it’s about transformation. He brings vision, intentionality, and a bold sense of purpose to every initiative he leads. Whether he’s coaching students, guiding interns, or building new learning ecosystems through CTLR, Marcus is always planting seeds for the future — growing leaders who are equipped to shape the world with both intelligence and integrity. The name Coconut Tree came from one of Marcus’s personal metaphors for life: just like a coconut tree, people should be resilient, resourceful, and grounded — capable of thriving even in difficult conditions, while offering nourishment and shelter to others.
 

Katie is a systems thinker with a heart for people. With a background in plant sciences, law, and public service, she brings a unique blend of strategic insight and empathy to everything she does. As a mom, nonprofit founder, and operations strategist, she’s passionate about building programs that are not only impactful but sustainable — grounded in real-world needs and designed with intention. Katie believes mentorship, structure, and hands-on learning can unlock potential in people who’ve often been overlooked by traditional systems. She’s never been one to settle for “the way it’s always been done,” and is constantly seeking better, more efficient paths forward. At the core of her work is a commitment to excellence, integrity, and creating meaningful opportunities for others to thrive.

Together, Marcus and Katie saw something missing in their own community — and beyond:

• A place where learners of all ages could gain real-world skills with real support.

• A bridge between emerging technologies and hands-on experience.

• A safe space to explore, make mistakes, and grow into the future with confidence and purpose.

So they launched Coconut Tree Learning & Research — beginning with a pilot internship for local high school students in 2025. What started as an idea became a hands-on, mentor-led program offering exposure to AI tools, professional skills, and leadership opportunities that extend far beyond the classroom.

At its core, Coconut Tree isn’t just a nonprofit.
It’s a growing, evolving learning ecosystem rooted in three core beliefs:

• Everyone is a learner.

• Technology should empower — not replace — human connection.

• Curiosity is the seed of capability — and capability changes everything.

With each intern, partnership, and program, Marcus and Katie are helping build something bigger:
A future where learners from every background can climb their own coconut trees — and see just how far they can grow.