People

Executive Director of the Missouri Environmental Education Association. A longtime youth gardening educator and outdoor education advocate, who believes that teaching systems thinking is key to tackling our myriad, complex, and intertwined environmental and social issues....and knows that environmental education is the perfect avenue for developing that kind of understanding!

Katie has been active in the field of environmental education for 20 years. As the executive director of the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education, she leads environmental literacy planning and implementation efforts and is active both locally and nationally.

My philosophy of teaching outdoor education is rooted in experiential learning, intentional facilitation, and reflective practice. I believe students learn best through direct engagement with natural environments, integrating cognitive, physical, emotional, and spiritual growth. Nature is an active teammate in fostering curiosity, responsibility, and connection.

Oluwaseun is a Extension Associate in Organic Agriculture at Kentucky State University. I help farmers grow healthy soils and sustainable crops and occasional grow some myself. Off duty, I love trying out new dishes and a firm believer that laughter and food are the best medicine.

I currently work to support leadership and best practices at nature centers throughout North America. In my role with the Association of Nature Center Administrators, I create and share content about the issues that nature centers face, and how they can overcome their challenges.

I oversee the year-round community programs with YMCA Camp Chingachgook, as well as the Adventure Trip and Day Camp programs during the summer. In the spring and fall I oversee our Outdoor Education program and work with our seasonal staff to facilitate activities for school groups. Before I joined the Chingachgook team I was in Cortland, NY where I got an M.S. in recreation for environmental and outdoor education. During my time in Cortland I also worked with Lime Hollow Nature Center as an educator for their forest preschool and summer day camps.

I have been teaching life and earth science to middle school students for 31 years.  I graduated from the Univeristy of Pittsburgh with a BS in Biology and then Slippery Rock University with a BS in Education.  I received my masters in education from Capella University.

i teach at youth science institute about nature and aniamls for childeren to learn about nature and the world around us.

My growth in the field of environmental education continued to evolve when I stepped into a role as a part time school garden educator in the spring of 2021 followed by a full time role as an outdoor educator in fall of 2022 at my current k-8 private school, GSES.  At the time, I was unfamiliar with Outdoor Education as a content area since it did not exist in the previous schools in which I taught, but soon discovered that it was my calling.  I dove right in and I am currently the Director of Outdoor Education, the teacher sponsor for Eco Club, the school garden guru, summer camp instructor and the junior group coordinator for a neighborhood community association called Friends of Forest Hill Park (FFHP). 

I share my passion for conservation and our natural resources with youth and adults through experiential education and outdoor recreation. Attending programming and camps at my local nature center helped me to develop an admiration for nature and I strive to foster that appreciation in others.