People

I have over 20 years informal and formal teaching experience. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Wildlife Ecology. I taught at an Environmental Center, Zoologicial Park, Museum of Natural History, Boys and Girls Club, and a British International school. My focus has been educating elementary aged children but has also included other age groups and adult/public groups as well. I am an amateur naturalist and have a passion for nature stewardship and hands-on experiental learning. My friendly, bubbly personality allows me to keep the interest of anyone I am trying to educate. I also have some field experience--at NCSU my internship (1992) was focused on researching and protecting Red Cockaded Woodpecker populations in the Sandhills of NC. 

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.

Stacie joined the NAAEE team in April 2020. She has worked in or alongside the education field for over two decades and in communications for more than 15 years. She started her career teaching at a public charter high school in Washington, D.C. Prior to joining NAAEE, she managed communications for Annenberg Learner, a leading national nonprofit that connects K–12 and college educators with classroom content and professional development to support and strengthen their practice. She holds an M.A. in Spanish and Latin American Studies from American University, and a B.A. in Modern Languages and Linguistics and Certificate in Secondary Education from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. She also completed a Certificate in Social Impact Storytelling at Georgetown University. Throughout her career, she has been committed to bringing exceptional educational opportunities to underserved areas and educating to promote civic engagement.

I have worked in formal science education for five years and have developed a passion for getting kids excited about conservation. I became involved in wetland conservation and education as part of my graduate program and hope to find more ways to allow students to be part of protecting wetland ecosystems. 

Hi.  My name is Brian McGonigal.  I am a 6th grade math teacher at Park Forest Middle School in State College, PA.  I am currently obtaining my master's degree through Slippery Rock University in Environmental Education.

I am a wellness professional and retreat designer working to build spaces where natural remedies, therapeutic practices, and environmental connection come together. My focus is on helping people restore a sense of alignment and wholeness by reintegrating nature into their healing journeys. I'm drawn to environmental education as a way to deepen this work—grounding therapeutic practice in ecological literacy and a genuine relationship with the land.

Hai.