People

I am a non traditional student pursuing a degree in Teacher Education. 

Busy mom of four great kids who is a para by day and a student by night. When I'm not shaping young minds, I enjoy fishing, gardening, hiking, and hanging out with my family and friends.

Emily earned her B.A. in Elementary Education from Ball State University and went on to teach first grade in Indianapolis, IN. At that time, the lack of widely accessible environmental education in urban areas led her away from formal education and into the field of informal science education at Lincoln Park Zoo. She worked on developing inquiry-based science curriculum for the zoo’s Conservation Camp program and later found her niche as the Early Childhood and Family Programs Coordinator.

Emily’s knowledge of nature education and developmentally appropriate practice allowed her to drive early childhood programming to the forefront of education offerings at Lincoln Park Zoo. Her work primarily focused on highlighting the importance of early experiences with the natural world and the long-term positive impact of these experiences. In an effort to break down barriers and create more diverse and accessible programming, Emily worked to expand the zoo’s offerings to a broader audience. Her progress on this goal is exemplified most notably through a partnership with Chicago Park District, the addition of an early childhood volunteer position, and the design and implementation of several nature play spaces.

In service to the greater AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) community, Emily served as a Nature Play Leader, where she supported other early childhood environmental educators by sharing resources, professional development opportunities, and leading discussions around important topics. Her experience advocating for early childhood environmental education led her to NAAEE and Natural Start Alliance as the Communications and Conference Coordinator. She is excited to continue the important work of Natural Start Alliance and explore new ways to support and engage the Alliance’s amazing community of members.

Emily is based in Chicago, IL.

I am a student at the University of WIscinsin Stevens Point with a major in Family and Consumer Sciences and a minor in Youth Programming. I currently work as a behavioral technician and have clients that I work with on the autism spectrum with play therapy. 

Hi! I’m Jimena, raised in Southern California with a love for nature and shaped by my family. I now call Alaska home. Previously, I’ve worked in fieldwork helping on avian research projects with the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service before working with the National Parks Service as a park ranger. At present, I’m a Digital Community Coordinator at NAAEE. When I’m not supporting our amazing eePRO community, you can find me reading, writing, doodling, or bicycling to the nearest coffee and tea place.

Bridget Booth is an 8^th-grade science teacher at Haslett Middle School and a certified environmental educator in Michigan. She got her start in education at Woldumar Nature Center in Lansing and has been taking students outdoors to learn ever since. In addition to being an NAAEE CEE-Change Fellow, she is the past president and current board member of the Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE), and is chairing the Climate Education Committee. Bridget lives with her husband and two sons in East Lansing and spends her (scant) free time reading, playing in the woods, swimming in the Great Lakes and enjoying live music.

I am a wife and mother of 2 boys.  I work as a paraprofessional and substitue and am going back to school to become a teacher.