People

Tana Shepard, a founding member of Oregon Educators for Climate Education (OECE), brings a nurturing, deeply rooted approach to climate education. A lifelong Oregonian, first-generation college graduate, and devoted public school teacher of 22 years, Tana believes in the healing power of place-based, intergenerational learning to build resilience and inspire change.

She began her journey in education at César Chávez Elementary in Eugene, where she guided the Green Team, led the STEAM team, and lovingly cultivated the Dolores Huerta school garden. Under her care, the school earned Oregon Green School certification. Tana’s gift for storytelling and grant writing brought resources that allowed her students to explore the natural world with wonder and respect.

In 2017, she stepped into her current role as a Climate, Energy, and Conservation teacher, supporting students across grades K–12. She now tends to the 4J/EWEB Education Partnership, planting seeds of knowledge around climate, water, energy, and resilience. From salmon watch field trips to hands-on renewable energy projects and earth-honoring art like Parachutes for the Planet, her work is rooted in love for the Earth.

In 2024, she was honored with the Oregon Science Teacher Association’s Distinguished Service to Science Award—a reflection of her lifelong devotion to nurturing the planet and its future stewards.

Heather works with teachers and families to encourage a strong understanding of child development through training , mentoring and group facilitation. Heather supports groups interested in creating and maintaining Nature Explore Classrooms and loves to personally connect with the natural world.

I currently work as a K-6 Math Intervention Teacher for the Northwest Tri-County Intermediate Unit #5 of PA.  I work in two schools for the Federal & State Programs Department, serving a variety of students in remedial education.  This will be my tenth year as an intervention support teacher. 

Suzanne Michot is a nature hike guide with experience leading adults on hikes focusing on the natural and cultural history, flora and geology of the area. She was an environmental educator for Eco-Cycle, has led hikes/walks for Historic Boulder, CO Mahler Fest, & Boulder Walking Tours, and is a volunteer naturalist for Boulder County Parks & Open Space. In 2018 Suzanne became a Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG) through the National Association for Interpretation (NAI).  For 20 years, Suzanne worked for City of Boulder Open Space Mountain Parks in the Education/Outreach division.

Madeline is an international programs specialist at NAAEE, supporting the Global Environmental Education Partnership (GEEP), youth leadership programs, and other global initiatives.

Krysta works to advance environmental literacy in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed through online and in-person training for educators and network building with government and nonprofit partners.

 

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.

"Wherever our heads might be, our feet are planted on the ground in our land, in the specific reality of our land." -Amilcar Cabral

 

 

I am Cíntia Parreira. I am a techer in Brazil. I teach English as a foreign language and I am interested in teaching English using the Environmental issues as source of language. At present, I am a Master student and I am studing how MWEEs can help me teach English while raising students awareness about climate change and its consequences. I am a mother of two beautiful daughters and I am really into nature and teaching. So I believe MWEEs will help me structure better classes for my students.