People

Eliezer Vélez is the Capacity Building Project Manager & Grant Writer at Centro de Apoyo Familiar (CAF), a bilingual nonprofit serving low-to-moderate income Hispanic and immigrant families across Maryland, Virginia, D.C., Massachusetts, and Puerto Rico. His work spans grant development, nonprofit coaching, multi-state compliance, and community capacity building in partnership with faith-based organizations. Through CAF's environmental health and justice initiatives, including the Youth ECO-Promoters program, he supports youth and community-led environmental education in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. He is pursuing a BA in Transformational Leadership and Change at College Unbound.

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...).

I'm a student who works as a nanny with young children with a basis of emergent and nature-based teachings.

As the former Director of Technology, Mary served as the project lead for NAAEE online technology, including the NAAEE website and eePRO, the hub for professional development. Mary had been on NAAEE staff since 1999 and her extensive background in technology, website development, outreach, multi-stakeholder collaboration, security, systems support, and project management experience consistently provided the highest level of support to NAAEE’s team, leadership, and members. 

Mary is now acting in an advisory role, continuing to support the work of the association.

Phyllis Pouyat Thibodeau is a resident of Tilghman Island, serving the Chesapeake Bay Region, with a deep commitment to education for our next generation in a changing world.  As an ecologically minded entrepreneur and educator, she brings forward 35 years designing and delivering experiential learning programs and projects for students and professionals of all ages, with diverse cultural backgrounds and disciplines, focusing on sustainable futures.  Her mantra is “Think globally, Act locally” as she engages students in skill-building beyond the classroom, to unleash their talents, support community and  conservation efforts, with creative entrepreneurship, all vital to succeed in the current and future job market.  Currently, Phyllis is working with the Education Team at Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, supporting students of Talbot County in a variety of programs, which are aligned with Maryland education standards that include environmental literacy, service learning, and career readiness.  As a UMD Master Gardener, she has been an active contributor in varied community-based garden education projects, to help involve local youth in learning how to “Grow it/ Eat it”! Students enjoy hands-on nature experiences, explore healthy nutrition, while learning Bay-Wise garden practices as part of our food systems relating to our shared Chesapeake Bay.   

Sydney spent the bulk of her childhood learning and growing under the canopy of the southeastern deciduous forests that make up her home state of Virginia. She earned her B.A. in International Studies with a minor in Environmental Studies at Virginia Commonwealth University. Following her undergraduate schooling, she began working as a youth environmental educator, leading her to eventually pursue her M.A. in the University of Utah's Environmental Humanities Program to study how nature-based programs can better support nature-connections across diverse groups. While in Utah, she also co-founded Camping in Color, an overnight program designed for black youth and their families in the Salt Lake Valley area to enhance a sense of belonging, appreciation, and engagement in the outdoors. She joins the Natural Start Alliance team excited to further her work in making quality early childhood environmental education more accessible to all.

Registered Nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences and experience educating patients, mentoring colleagues, and leading community programs. Passionate about environmental education, wildlife conservation, and inspiring curiosity through hands-on learning experiences. Experienced Girl Scout leader who plans and leads engaging STEM, outdoor, and service-learning activities while fostering a safe, inclusive environment for youth. Currently training to become a licensed North Carolina Wildlife Rehabilitator and seeking to combine my backgrounds in science, education, and public service as an Outdoor Nature Education Instructor.