People

Kyra Stephenson (she/her) is a passionate educator, nature advocate, and the founder of Nature Mind Solutions LLC, a consulting company dedicated to promoting nature-based learning. With over two decades of teaching experience, she has inspired countless individuals through her innovative approaches to education. As a New York State Master Teacher Emeritus and a Nature-Based Learning Coach at Anna Murray-Douglass Academy School #12, Kyra has successfully integrated a comprehensive nature-based learning program into public education. Kyra's commitment to environmental education has earned her recognition, including the prestigious Environmental Innovation Award. Kyra is also an active member of Rochester's Nature Everywhere Action Team, advancing the Children and Outdoor Bill of Rights initiative under the Children and Nature Network. Beyond her professional achievements, Kyra finds joy in her role as a spouse and parent to three children. She cherishes moments spent immersed in nature, fueling her ongoing commitment to ecological responsibility and holistic education.

I am a recent graduate with a B.S. in Environmental Science and am pursuing the NC Environmental Education Certificate!

Rachel Arbor is a Presidential Award winner whose work has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, the EPA, and the White House. She is the CEO and Founder of Gaia Scholastic and the NY State Lead for SubjectToClimate. For both of these roles, her mission is to cultivate a generation of environmentally-literate global citizens by integrating nature and environmental concepts into the learning experiences of students of all ages and abilities. With a Masters in Education, she builds interdisciplinary content in a way that challenges students to make connections: with themselves, with each other, and with nature, across content areas. She trains teachers across the country on how to re-shape their curriculum through an environmental lens, coaches students on how to turn their climate anxiety into climate action, and fosters environmental connection in and out of the classroom.

I'm Krista, I've been in EE for over 15 years, and I just recently became the Direcor of EE at the Agape Center for Environmental Education in Harnettt County, North Carolina. I feel strongly that I have the best job in the world because not only do I get to play in the woods with kids all day, it keeps me young in the process. 

I have been based on the Eastern Shore of Virginia since 2010 providing public interpretation and environmental education programs to tourists and local community members. I love working among our pristine barrier islands and salt marshes and taking people out in these areas to learn more about the plants and animals that call them home. Our education program currently focuses on providing Meaningful Watershed Education Experiences for 5th, 7th, and 10th grade students as well as professional development for all teachers from Accomack and Northampton Counties.

Colleen Epler-Ruths is the STEM and Gifted Education Consultant at the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit in Pennsylvania.  She has 20+ years of experience in the public science classroom where she taught physics, computer science, and other science courses.  Her Ph.D. work focused on spatial skills' impact on student science learning.  She is an outdoor enthusiast, Penn State Extension Master Gardener, a 2020 Finalist for PA Teacher of the Year and a Fulbright Global Educator.  She also participates in the “sport” of beekeeping and grand-parenting.