People

Grew up on a Dairy Farm in Owego, NY, right along the Susquhanna River.  Been teaching for 11 years in Virginia.

Hi there! I am the Program Manager for Kaleidoscope Child Care on beautiful Orcas Island. You can learn more about us at www.ourkaleidoscopekids.com. We look forward to working with you!

Cheron H. Davis, Ph.D. is an associate professor of reading education at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. Recognized as one of the top 25 leading women in higher education by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education and as Florida Project Learning Tree’s Educator of the Year, Dr. Davis is a practitioner at heart and maintains healthy, robust relationships with classroom teachers throughout the U.S.

Dr. Davis's initiative, ECO-READ (Empowering Conservation through Observation, Reading Education, Application, & Discovery), integrates STEM and literacy education with a focus on environmental education within HBCU teacher preparation programs. ECO-READ aims to enhance both teaching practices and environmental literacy among preservice teachers by bridging the gap between environmental education and literacy.

Dr. Davis’s research investigates the complex intersections of literacy, identity, and pedagogy within HBCUs. Grounded in critical literacy theory and sociocultural frameworks, her scholarship examines the belief systems, self-efficacy, and reflective practices of preservice teachers in early literacy and interdisciplinary contexts. Her current projects integrate environmental and reading education through the Eco-Read initiative, a federally supported effort to explore how ecological literacy experiences shape teacher preparation and student engagement in STEM-rich environments. Dr. Davis examines the mechanisms by which culturally responsive pedagogy, disciplinary literacy, and social justice–oriented teacher education converge to foster equitable reading outcomes. Her research agenda advances a transformative vision for literacy teacher preparation, particularly within HBCU ecosystems, emphasizing sustainable models of instruction that bridge the cognitive, cultural, and environmental dimensions of learning.

Hi everyone! My name is Abby, and I use she/her/siya pronouns. I am a proactive and mission-driven aspiring environmental educator. I'm deeply passionate about community care and promoting sustainability, with experience in community outreach and education, and have a strong understanding of the importance of diversity in shaping effective policies and programs. My goal is to inspire the younger generation while continuously learning and applying environmental best practices to ensure equity for all.

I am the Director of America Adapts Media and host of America Adapts – The Climate Change Podcast. I previously worked on climate adaptation issues with the National Park Service, FL Fish and Wildlife Commission and in Queensland Australia. I'm dedicated to highlighting the issue of adaptation.

Ethan Peters is the founder and director of The HART Center, a nature based hybrid microschool and 501c3 nonprofit in Red Rock, Texas, serving children ages 3 to 18 through relational mentorship, nature immersion, hands on trade skills, and project based learning. He brings more than twenty years in education, including work as a school principal and as a quantitative ecological researcher, and his approach draws on intrinsic motivation science and indigenous learning models. Alongside his partner Angela, he is growing a village model learning community built on real relationships, hands on skill, and time on the land.

I am a documentary filmmaker and home gardener who has been volunteering at the North Carolina Botanical Garden for more than ten years.

Christopher Davis is a passionate sustainability advocate hailing from Compton, CA driven to ameliorate the impact climate change has on kids by accelerating the adoption of renewable energy systems via educational institutions, while incorporating hands-on STEM education into secondary and collegiate curricula, especially those in disadvantaged and low-income communities. He is currently a project manager for the renewable energy consulting firm, TRC Companies, as well as the Community Coordinator for Color Compton & Assistant Curator at the Compton Art & History Museum. An alumnus of San Diego State University, he earned his degree in Environmental Science, with minors in Education and Political Science, and he is currently pursuing his Masters in Energy Systems Management at the University of San Francisco. During his time at State, he served in various roles, including Founder & President of Black Campus Ministries & advisor to University Senate for sustainability and environmental impact on disadvantaged communities. Chris is a devout Christian, ardent Lego enthusiast, and an avid fan of manga, movies, & amusement parks.

 

I'm Mac! I'm currently working at a school where I get to teach kids about environmental topics from composting to gardening. My K-5 kids learn how to properly dispose of food waste, the benefits of composting, and how this applies to our hands-on work in the garden. 

Jenna North is a passionate leader, plagued by her own climate-induced anxieties that likely seeded into her psyche when she was a young girl living in Vermont in the late eighties and read Bill McKibben's "The End of Nature"(arguably the first book on climate change). 

Mary Beth Factor is an environmental education professional with 15 years of experience supporting nonprofit organizations, government agencies, schools, and educators through administration, communications, and program coordination. She previously worked with the Missouri Department of Conservation and has contributed to environmental education efforts through organizations including Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center, Trees For Tomorrow, and the Missouri Environmental Education Association. Mary Beth is passionate about connecting people with nature and supporting the work of environmental educators and conservation organizations.

North Carolina Naturalist

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.

Adrian has enjoyed a lifelong career in environmental education. Starting out as a park ranger, he has since served as Statewide Director of Education at Massachusetts Audubon, Director of Operations at the Center for Whole Communities, in Vermont, and as NAAEE's Senior Director for Technology Programs. As the founder of eeMatters, an environmental education and interpretive planning consulting group, Adrian led professional and community-based teams that developed strategic plans, master interpretive plans, exhibits, and technology-based communication tools for clients as varied as NAAEE, Maine Audubon, Vermont Institute of Natural Science, Trustees of Reservations, Monadnock Media, Old Sturbridge Village, and New York Botanical Gardens.

I am a third-grade teacher at Chinquapin Elementary School, located in Duplin County, North Carolina. I am responsible for teaching Language Arts, Mathmatics, Science, Social Studies and Health. I taught kindergarten for 18 years, and this year I was given the opportunity to teach third grade. My goal as an educator is to integrate environmental education and global awareness as part of my daily instruction.

I am currently an 8th grade middle school science teacher.  I have been teacher 22 years.  I am a fan of nature and all things wildlife.  I tell a lot of bigfoot stories in my classes when time permits (Not because I believe in it, but because they are perfect for kids this age.  And mine).  I have a few pets at home, they range from dogs, snakes, cats, spiders,tortoises,  etc...).