People

Phyllis Pouyat Thibodeau is a resident of Tilghman Island, serving the Chesapeake Bay Region, with a deep commitment to education for our next generation in a changing world.  As an ecologically minded entrepreneur and educator, she brings forward 35 years designing and delivering experiential learning programs and projects for students and professionals of all ages, with diverse cultural backgrounds and disciplines, focusing on sustainable futures.  Her mantra is “Think globally, Act locally” as she engages students in skill-building beyond the classroom, to unleash their talents, support community and  conservation efforts, with creative entrepreneurship, all vital to succeed in the current and future job market.  Currently, Phyllis is working with the Education Team at Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, supporting students of Talbot County in a variety of programs, which are aligned with Maryland education standards that include environmental literacy, service learning, and career readiness.  As a UMD Master Gardener, she has been an active contributor in varied community-based garden education projects, to help involve local youth in learning how to “Grow it/ Eat it”! Students enjoy hands-on nature experiences, explore healthy nutrition, while learning Bay-Wise garden practices as part of our food systems relating to our shared Chesapeake Bay.   

Sydney spent the bulk of her childhood learning and growing under the canopy of the southeastern deciduous forests that make up her home state of Virginia. She earned her B.A. in International Studies with a minor in Environmental Studies at Virginia Commonwealth University. Following her undergraduate schooling, she began working as a youth environmental educator, leading her to eventually pursue her M.A. in the University of Utah's Environmental Humanities Program to study how nature-based programs can better support nature-connections across diverse groups. While in Utah, she also co-founded Camping in Color, an overnight program designed for black youth and their families in the Salt Lake Valley area to enhance a sense of belonging, appreciation, and engagement in the outdoors. She joins the Natural Start Alliance team excited to further her work in making quality early childhood environmental education more accessible to all.

Registered Nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences and experience educating patients, mentoring colleagues, and leading community programs. Passionate about environmental education, wildlife conservation, and inspiring curiosity through hands-on learning experiences. Experienced Girl Scout leader who plans and leads engaging STEM, outdoor, and service-learning activities while fostering a safe, inclusive environment for youth. Currently training to become a licensed North Carolina Wildlife Rehabilitator and seeking to combine my backgrounds in science, education, and public service as an Outdoor Nature Education Instructor.

Lauren Gibson has served as the Executive Director of the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education (CAEE) since June 2026.

Lauren began her journey with environmental education through Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots program. Working with Roots & Shoots, Lauren created a small youth environmental grant program in her Indiana hometown, solidifying her dedication to helping young people find their power through environmental action.

Lauren holds both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Earth systems from Stanford University as well as a Ph.D. in environmental education from North Carolina State University. She built her career at NOAA, where she held roles in the Office of Education and on the agency’s leadership team. During the Biden Administration, Lauren served as NOAA’s first Policy Advisor on Youth Engagement, working to bring youth voice into federal decision-making.

In 2025, Lauren joined Colorado State University Extension, leading volunteer development for Colorado 4-H.

Molly Lauer is a science educator and learning designer with 20+ years of experience building programs that connect people to science in meaningful ways. Her work is rooted in a lifelong passion for environmental conservation — from stream ecology field studies and watershed investigations with students in Pennsylvania and DC to K–12 curriculum design and professional development across 45+ districts in 15 states. She is the founder of STEM Camp for Littles, an inquiry-based science program for K–5 learners in the DC metro area, and is currently pursuing MWEE credentials and developing environmental literacy PD programming for the Chesapeake Bay region

Jimena Cuenca supports NAAEE's digital presence, helping maintain and improve our websites like eePRO so that it serves as a welcoming and useful space for environmental educators. Jimena brings a deep curiosity about how online communities grow, connect, and collaborate. She enjoys learning new digital tools and is always looking to make our web spaces more engaging. When not at work, she's walking her huskies and birding.

I am an Assistant Professor of Environmental Education in the School of Environment and Natural Resources at The Ohio State University. I work collaboratively with educators and youth on design-based research to understand and develop pathways for people to learn about and care for the natural world we are all a part of. I focus on urban communities and explore questions of environmental identity, environmental literacy about complex ecological issues, and the structure and function of learning ecosystems.

I am the Director of America Adapts Media and host of America Adapts – The Climate Change Podcast. I previously worked on climate adaptation issues with the National Park Service, FL Fish and Wildlife Commission and in Queensland Australia. I'm dedicated to highlighting the issue of adaptation.

I am a long time learner and teacher.  I have taugth math for over 20 years, but ventured in science content within the last 10 years.  With the implementation of STEELS in PA, I have been motivated new learner to embrace MWEE and the principles behind what MWEE and STEELS can bring to the classroom.  

Director of Marketing and Development at Camp Fitch YMCA

 

Environmental Education has always been a passion of my life. I am trying to be environmentally responsible myself and want to teach others. I take my students on field trips into the woods for science lessons. I use my school backyard as part of my classroom. You will often see my students outside with their science journals making observations and hypotheses, conducting research, making discoveries and exploring the world around them. Together we tend to our small garden and this year we incubated some chicks.

I am trying to bring outdoors to my classroom as well. We have a special place in class where we collect things found in nature. Students often use a magnifying glass to explore objects in every detail. It peaks their curiosity, makes them ask questions and together we look for answers.

I like to challenge my students by presenting real life problems. I want to see what they would do to cure world hunger, to fight droughts, to find new sources of energy. We just recently had a debate on AI and the kids discovered many environmental issues that it causes they were not aware of. They surprised themselves!

I would like to continue my environmental education to become a better teacher and human being.