People

Carrie earned her B.A. in both Environmental Studies and Spanish, a dual major she explored hands-on while studying in the cloud forests of Ecuador. After attending Indiana University to complete her Masters in Public Affairs, with concentrations in Environmental Policy and Natural Resource Management, she took on the role of Environmental Educator with the City of Bloomington. Here she connected with community members of all ages, teaching about habitats, sustainability practices, and conservation efforts. 

As an established marketing professional and award-winning public speaker, Carrie brings a variety of skills to NAAEE. Hailing most recently from the private sector, she is versed in planning complex marketing strategies for such names as REI, Icelandair, NPR, and The Weather Channel. A thought-leader in her industry, Carrie has developed and delivered training and audits to hundreds of participants, and prides herself on empowering those around her to excellence. She enthusiastically joins the NAAEE team to combine her creative innovation with her passion for environmental justice and education. 

Carrie has spent her life in the Midwest and currently resides in the rolling hills of southern Indiana. Outside work, Carrie serves on the Bloomington Environmental Commission and takes every opportunity to go hiking with her wife and two rescue pups.

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.

My name is Katherine (Kate) Highsmith and I live in Cabarrus County.  I am a passionate STEM teacher who brings curiosity and creativity into everything I do. Working at two elementary schools, I strive to inspire young learners not only through science and technology, but through hands-on exploration and imagination. I love creating art in all kinds of media, and journaling and reading help me reflect and grow.

Outside the classroom, I feel most at home in nature—hiking and traveling across North Carolina, throughout the United States, and around the world. I’ve visited over 15 national parks, and each one has deepened my appreciation for the beauty and diversity of our natural world. Sharing that sense of wonder with young children and my own family is one of my greatest joys. Through STEM and outdoor exploration, I hope to nurture curiosity, resilience, and a lifelong love of learning in every student I teach.

I has always enjoyed spending time outdoors and learning all I can from nature. As a lifelong learner and outdoor enthusiast, I am passionate about teaching the science of nature to help others foster a deeper understanding and appreciation for our natural environment. I attained a B.S. in Environmental Studies and a B.S. in Mathematics from Shenandoah University. Continuing my education, I went on to complete a M.S. in Environmental Science and Policy with a concentration in Aquatic Ecology at George Mason University. 

Mary Helen Berg writes fiction and nonfiction picture books that honor big feelings and inspire young readers to explore and protect our big beautiful world. A former journalist, she lives in Southern California, where she loves to hike, bike, kayak, and road trip. She has a degree in literature from the University of Michigan, and a masters in journalism from Columbia University.

I have been a Head Start Teacher for 23 years.  I have been teaching my friends, siblings and stuffed animals my entire life.  I have been active in many Nature Orgaizations through out my years.  I live in an urban area where the natural settings are being gobbled up by corporations.  My goal going forward is to equip and educate the next generation to preserve and prepare for the futrue on this earth that is rapidly changling.