People

Betty has a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of New Hampshire and is currently Senior Advisor for the Natural Start Alliance, NAAEE's early childhood program. In addition to being a classroom teacher for more than 15 years (in the US, Taiwan, China, and South Africa), Betty also worked in the field of environmental education for 25 years. She worked with Judy Braus at World Wildlife Fund, and prior to that, Betty worked at other environmental NGOs, including National Wildlife Federation and as Director of Project Wild. She currently lives in Kittery, Maine, and in her spare time, Betty’s hobbies include traveling, photography, sailing, swimming, and walking.

Environmental Education was a passion I discovered while an undergrad and dove in from there. Working to empower our youth to change the world around them for the better is what keeps me going every day. An education in peace and sustainability is necessary for the betterment of our tomorrow.

Alan Reid is a Professor in the Faculty of Education, Monash University. He leads its Education, Environment and Sustainability Faculty Research Group. Until 2012, he worked at the Centre for Research in Education and the Environment, University of Bath, and is active in a range of environmental education research activities and networks, primarily in Europe, North America and Australasia. 

Alan’s research interests focus on teachers’ thinking and practice in environmental education, and traditions, capacities and issues in environmental education theory, research and practice. His research students are strongly encouraged to consider what is necessary and sufficient as environmental education research, including who claims the power to construct and fix a debate about environmental education within particular boundaries of discussion or inquiry.

Applications of this work include editing the 4 volume reference work series, Environmental Education (Routledge Major Works), entries to the Oxford Bibliography on Environmental Education, and working as editor-in-chief of Environmental Education Research.   

More at https://research.monash.edu/en/persons/alan-reid

Welcome to the Rice Purity Test, your ticket to the fun rice purity test! The Rice Purity Test has generated 100 quirky questions spanning a variety of topics, from relationships to adventures and more. Just click "Start Test" and answer each question with "Yes" or "No". Your score will be calculated by subtracting your "Yes" answers from a total of 100 questions. The higher your score, the more pure you are, and vice versa. But remember, this test is for entertainment purposes only and is not a serious measure of anyone's innocence or morality. So come along and enjoy your journey with us to discover your level of purity

Dr. Becky Mathers is a postdoctoral researcher in the USTRIVE project at Arcadia University. She also teaches courses in environmental science & sustainability to undergraduate students. Her research interests include profound nature experiences, environmental education, and conservation psychology.

Dr. Firdevs Burcak obtained PhD (integrated) degree in Early Childhood Education at Hacettepe University. She has studied on developing quality of outdoor learning environments in preschools and teacher’s perception on using them in her dissertation. She is greatly honored that her doctoral research selected as the winner of the 2019 Nafi Atuf Kansu Pedagogical Outstanding Doctoral Research Award. During her PhD study she has been as a Visiting Scholar at the University of Minnesota Duluth with the sponsorship of TUBITAK (The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey) and studied with Professor Julie Ernst. After defending her dissertation, with a passion of spreading nature-based learning approach in Turkey’s preschools, she encouraged educational leaders, teachers and parents as giving seminars and workshops for using the outdoors effectively with children. She is currently working as an Assistant Professor at Biruni University. Her academic interest topics consist of nature & child connection, social-emotional learning/development of young children, wellbeing of young children, and equity & quality in early childhood education.

Players must navigate their character through a succession of challenging stages in the engaging rhythm and platforming game Geometry Dash Lite. Players are drawn in and want more because of the captivating experience created by the lively graphics and heart-pounding soundtrack.
 

Preethi Mony is a specialist in the field of environmental education, program evaluation and grants and has a wide range of experience from developing resource matierials, conducting programs with children and adults, as well as evaluating programs and grant reporting.

Growing up in the busy metropolis of Mumbai, she quickly recognized the importance of the social aspects of conservation in protecting the natural world. She has worked with organizations in India and the US to help with environmental education program planning and resource development. She has over 20 years of experience working with zoos and museums to evaluate programs and exhibits and recommend strategies to improve the overall visitor experience. Over the last 2 years, she has worked at a local community college to support grant work (federal, state, and private) as well as to inform data driven decision making in the diversity, equity, and inclusion space. She brings all of these experiences to her current role of EE Grant and Program Manager at NAAEE.

Preethi holds a Ph.D. in Natural Resources from The Ohio State University. She earned her M.S. in interdisciplinary Ecology from the University of Florida, and a B.Sc. in Life Sciences from the University of Mumbai, India.

Pratik Phadkule is an assistant professor of practice at the Jindal School of Government and Public Policy at O.P. Jindal Global University. He received a full fellowship to study at the Central European University (CEU). As a part of his school project at CEU, he conducted a qualitative study with the Institute of Educational Development (IED) of BRAC University, Dhaka, Bangladesh. During his studies, he assisted in developing an executive course on Access to Justice and Legal Empowerment at CEU. He also worked in the non-profit sector in India in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. He teaches courses related to policy, law, and the environment.

Jen Bruening is the Education Manager for the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy. She develops and facilitates interactive and inquiry-based programs for K-12 grade students. She brings a positive and compassionate perspective to her work and always strives to be as inclusive as possible.

Jen is a Native Arizonan and grew up in Cave Creek. She graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences, with many credits from Scottsdale Community College. Her professional experience includes10+ years as an Environmental Educator, 8+ years contributing to wildlife research and local conservation efforts, and 2 years as a Registered Behavior Technician, working with individuals with autism.  She has worked with diverse populations throughout Arizona including those with physical disabilities, learning disabilities, and underserved communities. Previous organizations include the Arizona Game and Fish Department, the Phoenix Zoo, Liberty Wildlife, and the National Audubon Society.

When she is not collaborating with Stewards or interacting with students, she spends her time hiking, birding, kayaking, or simply just sitting in nature with her dog.