People

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.

Combining a Master's degree in Environmental Science and twenty years teaching students in nature-filled schoolyards, my current work with Green Schoolyards America includes curating and developing outdoor lessons for the living schoolyard, whether it is a schoolyard forest, vegetable garden, or native habitat. We are working to inspire and support systems change to transform asphalt-covered schoolgrounds into living schoolyards so that all children have daily access to nature on their school grounds - to learn, to play, and for their health and well-being.

Stacie joined the NAAEE team in April 2020. She has worked in or alongside the education field for over two decades and in communications for more than 15 years. She started her career teaching at a public charter high school in Washington, D.C. Prior to joining NAAEE, she managed communications for Annenberg Learner, a leading national nonprofit that connects K–12 and college educators with classroom content and professional development to support and strengthen their practice. She holds an M.A. in Spanish and Latin American Studies from American University, and a B.A. in Modern Languages and Linguistics and Certificate in Secondary Education from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. She also completed a Certificate in Social Impact Storytelling at Georgetown University. Throughout her career, she has been committed to bringing exceptional educational opportunities to underserved areas and educating to promote civic engagement.

Jill Rich is an educator and director of the Center for Environmental Studies and Sustainability at Varina High School in Henrico County, Virginia. With extensive experience in curriculum development, GIS instruction, and project-based learning, she leads innovative, sustainability-focused programs that connect students with real-world environmental challenges. She coordinates capstone projects, field experiences, and community partnerships, preparing students to apply geospatial thinking in meaningful and impactful ways.

Bug Hartsock is a graduating Master's student in an Entomology lab. When he's not staring at small critters, he spends his time reading, making art, and going on hikes (as well as playing plenty of Dungeons & Dragons). Bug is passionate about scientific outreach and communication, creating zines and comics designed to make science accessible to everyone. He's also spoken at conferences, on public radio, and at a variety of school outreach events. It's his hope to encourage the rest of the world to fall a little bit more in love with its tiny, many-legged residents.

I am Morgan Henson, STEM Science Specialist for Suffolk Public Schools with over 15 years of experience in elementary education. Prior to my current role, I taught fourth and fifth grade and served as a grade-level lead, mentor teacher, and STEM facilitator. I am passionate about supporting high-quality science instruction, developing standards-aligned curriculum resources, and helping teachers create engaging, inquiry-based learning experiences for students. I have also served on multiple Virginia Department of Education science committees, including item review and standard-setting work for the Science SOL assessments.

Dr. Yue Li is an Assistant Professor of Environmental Education in the School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences at the University of Florida. Her research focuses on AI integration into environmental education, professional development for environmental educators, environmental action, and community engagement. She collaborates with scholars across disciplines to conduct interdisciplinary research in both online and face-to-face settings and across cultural contexts. 

I am a secondary education teacher in the Wake County school system. I am curently a UNC Energy Litercy Fellow. I teach earth and environmental science and marine ecology. Prior to moving to North Carolina I lived in Northern New Hampshire. 

My name is Kristen Sturgeon, I grew up in New Jersey but have been calling Florida my home for the past 15 years. I have been working in the natural resource field for the last five years, but have always had a pull towards water resources as well. I enjoy being outdoors and visiting new areas all around Florida with my family. I have a goal to visit every state park in Florida! 

Erica is an assistant professor at the University of Colorado Denver in Responsive Literacy Education. As a former elementary teacher and administrator, and current teacher educator, Erica is committed to supporting activism, advocacy and environmental justice through literacy in PK-12 classrooms and in higher education. 

Lalitha Murali is a gifted and talented and STEM teacher for the Glendale River-Hills School District. She was chosen as one of the top 20 Women of Influence Awardees in Wisconsin for her educational leadership in 2017. 

I am a graduate student pursuing my masters in environmental education at Florida Atlantic University. I spent over 6 years in public health and emergency management before deciding I wanted to focus on my true passion, the environment. I am now gaining invaluble experience as I work splitting my time as a graduate teaching assistant at FAU Pine Jog Environemental Education Center and as an environmental educator at Friends of MacArthur Beach State park.