Students & Faculty

Faculty

April Landale, Kelly Campus Director
april.landale@tetonscience.org
B.S. Biology, University of New Hampshire;
M.S. Environmental Studies, Antioch New England Graduate School, NH.
April joined Teton Science Schools' faculty in 1993. Before coming to Teton Science Schools, she was the Academic Director for an ecology study abroad program in Cairns, Australia. She holds an M.S. from Antioch/New England Graduate School in Natural Resources Management and specializes in water quality issues.

John Haskin, Director of Education
john.haskin@tetonscience.org
B.S. Elementary Education;
M.S. Curriculum and Instruction/Environmental Education, Mankato State University , MN.;
Ph.D. Environmental Studies, Antioch New England Graduate School, NH .
John's areas of interest include novice teacher development and qualitative research methodologies. John has over twenty years experience directing residential environmental education programs in North Carolina, Ohio, New York and now Wyoming.

Dale Gentry, Field Science and Research Faculty
dale.gentry@tetonscience.org
B.S. Zoology, Idaho State University ;
M.S. Biology, University of South Dakota ;
Ph.D. Atmosphere, Environment, and Water Resources, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

Dale has been involved with field research since 1995 on projects ranging from stream habitat quality to pika behavior; his graduate research examined songbird and woodpecker communities in South Dakota . Dale's professional interests include integrating research and education, fire ecology, and the influence of urbanization upon wildlife communities. He teaches ecology and natural history courses and supervises graduate research. In his free time, Dale enjoys a number of outdoor activities including cycling, soccer, and ultimate frisbee.

Kevin Haspela, Graduate Program Faculty
kevin.haspela@tetonscience.org
B.S. Environmental Studies/Geology, St. Lawrence University;
2002 graduate of Teton Science Schools' Graduate Program;
M.S. Environmental Studies with a high school Biology teaching certification, Antioch New England Graduate School, NH.
Kevin brings experience teaching high school and middle school science in progressive schools to the Kelly Campus faculty. He has successfully incorporated project-based learning focused on sustainability and place into his curricula. Kevin's professional interests include designing research and project-based field science curricula, questioning strategies, exploring possibilities in teamwork and entomology. He is an avid outdoorsman and loves all types of music.

Josh Kleyman , Graduate Program Faculty
josh.kleyman@tetonscience.org
B.A. Environmental Geography with Geology focus. Colgate University.M.S. Natural Science, Environment and Natural Resources minor. University of Wyoming .Graduate of Teton Science Schools' Graduate Program.
Josh brings experience teaching high school environmental science in a progressive independent school in New York . While there, he also worked to integrate experiential teaching methods and sustainability into the curriculum. Josh's professional interests include: sustainability education, fostering student centered learning, place based methods of education, and mentoring graduate students through their teaching experiences. Josh enjoys hiking, cooking, birding, and the natural wonders all around.

Mike Windsor, Graduate Program Faculty
michael.windsor@tetonscience.org
B.S. Wildlife Biology, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, NY.M.S. Conservation Biology, Antioch New England Graduate School , NH.
Mike has worked in research, environmental education and ecotourism. An avid birder and naturalist for more than 10 years, Mike is passionate about the study and observation of nature, and strives to immerse himself in his surroundings. Mike's faculty position at the Teton Science Schools will enable him to help coach and inspire graduate students with an interest in teaching and natural history. Mike is also interested in bridging the gap between science and non-scientists through education, exposure and writing.

Robin Brooks , Outreach Coordinator
robin.brooks@tetonscience.org
BA Wildlands Ecology,Sterling College 2004, MS Environmental Education, Antioch University, 2006
Graduate of Teton Science Schools' Graduate Program in 2006.
Robin's interests include place-based education which she is able to practice everyday in her position at Teton Science Schools. In the summer of 2005 she designed environmental educational programs for the Inuit in the high arctic.

Invited Guest Lecturers
Throughout the year, guest speakers enrich the academic program with presentations on urban ecology programs, eco-tourism, geology, astronomy, storytelling, conservation issues and other topics.

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Current Graduate Students

Ann Braak
B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute,
Troy, NY
Experience: Cordis Corporation, project engineer for pacemaker and leads in Miami, FL and The Netherlands; retail operation and management experience at a chain of coffee-bars in South Florida; volunteer for Elementary and Middle Schools: event/fundraiser coordination, tutoring, and outdoor projects; extensive hiking in both the US and Europe.

Meta Dittmer
B.A. Integrative Biology, Minor German, UC Berkeley, 1999
Experience:Interpretive Park Ranger in Yellowstone, Sequoia, and Everglades National Parks;Peace Corps volunteer in Guatemala in Agroforestry;Habitat Restoration Technician in Golden Gate National Rec. Area;Environmental Education Americorps Member;Colorado Outward Bound Wilderness Leadership Semester alumni; Studies of nature, culture and language in Germany and Costa Rica;Interests:Nature and culture around the world, exploring, adventuring and quality living, music, dancing and celebrating, yoga, and inspiring myself and others about beauty in the world.

Jill Fineis
B.S. Environmental Studies/ Earth Science, Secondary Education, University of Michigan , Ann Arbor, MI
Experience: Biology/ Ecology Teacher, Developed wilderness backpacking trips with ecological focus in White Mountain National Forest .Climbing, Telemark Skiing instructor: The White Mountain School, Bethlehem, NH; 2006 Wilderness Instructor: Adventure Treks, Alaska; Rocky Mountain Educator Alumni: National Outdoor Leadership School, Wind River Range, WY; Research assistant for inventory of Ram's Head Orchid habitat, Carney Fen, MI.

Judy Fisher
B.A. Studio Art and Career Concentration in Outdoor Leadership, Bloomsburg University, Bloomsburg, PA
Experience: Head of Wilderness Education for the Montessori School of Evergreen, CO; Alpine Rescue Team Field Active Volunteer, CO; Wilderness EMT; Field Instructor for Trailhead Wilderness School, CO; AMGA trained Top Rope Site Manager; Lead Ceramics Instructor for Evergreen Art Center, CO; National Outdoor Leadership School Graduate, WY.

Melinda Galleher
B.S. Biology - Ecological Assessment, The University of Findlay, Findlay , OH
Experience: Intern for Prairie Wetlands Learning Center, Fergus Falls, MN, Naturalist for Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center, Lanesboro, MN, Naturalist for Dunes Learning Center, Chesterton, IN, Wetland Migitgator Evaluator, Hancock Co. Parks District, Findlay, OH.

Allison Greene
B.A Biology, University of Montana , Missoula , MT
Experience: Four years work on amphibians in Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming through the University of Montana; two years work on bighorn sheep populations in Montana and Alberta through the Montana Conservation Science Institute; work on small mammal and grassland plant communities through the University of Montana, taught ecology to children at Missoula public schools, instructor for the Montana Natural History Center summer science camps, naturalist instructor for Naturalists at Large, California.

Katie Mahoney
B.A. Environmental, Population and Organismic Biology from University of Colorado, Boulder
Experience: Wildlife Guide in Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, Jackson WY; Coastal Research Volunteer for PRETOMA, North Manzanillo, Costa Rica; Political Canvasser, San Diego CA; Various Ski Bum related employment opportunities in assorted mountain west US locations; Program Assistant, Teton Science Schools Teacher Learning Center.

Aliesje Marie King
B.A. Social Science, emphasizing in Sociology and History, Boise State University ,
Boise , ID
Experience: Camp counselor and head staff member, Twin Lakes Friends Camp, Idaho; Summer Program Coordinator, Community Partnerships of Idaho: Peace Learning Center-Peace Camp Counselor, Indianapolis, Indiana; Americorps Member: Maryland Conservation Corps through the Department of Natural Resources, Marbury, Maryland; After School Teacher and After School Program Coordinator, Washington, DC.

Derek Meier
B.S. Biology & Outdoor Education: Natural History, Northland College , Ashland , WI
Experience: Graduate work in wolf biology, Trent University, ON; Wilderness, community service, and language immersion expeditions for teens, The Road Less Traveled, IL; Dogsled handler, trainer, and guide, AK, WY.

Tessa Miller
B.A. English Literature, University of Montana, Missoula, MT
Experience: Graduated with honors in 2005 and spent time as a freelance book reviewer for a small newspaper in Missoula . In 2007 she earned a TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages) Certification through INTESOL International and gained Teaching Certification at South Chelsea College in Brixton, London , UK . Taught adult ESL (English as a Second Language) classes at Teton Literacy Program. Also worked as a Reading Coordinator for middle school students reading below grade level.

Laurel Podsen

B.S. Wildlife Management, University of New Hampshire , Durham NH

Experience: Instructor/Naturalist, Ocean Future's Society Ambassadors of the Environment, Santa Barbara ,Ca; Paddle Sports Kayak Guide, Santa Barbara, CA; Head Counselor, Santa Barbara Outfitter's Youth Adventure Camp, Santa Barbara, CA; Instructor, Camp High Trails Outdoor Science School, Angelus Oaks, CA; Field Biologist/Ornithologist, Point Reyes Bird Observatory, various northern CA locations; Wildlife Management Field studies program, School for Field Studies, Kenya, Africa; Field Research Assistant, Moose and White-tailed deer Research Projects, University of NH, Durham, NH.

Heather Ristow
B.A. Biology, Concentration in Environental and Technology Studies, Carleton College, Northfield, MN
Experience: Wolverine and Fisher Research Technician for the USFS Rocky Mountain Research Station and Yellowstone National Park, WY, ID, & MT; Crew Leader for the Sequoia National Forest Carnivore Framework Monitoring Project, Ponderosa, CA; Fox and Coyote Research Assistant with the Yellowstone Ecological Research Center, Cooke City, MT; Interpretive Ranger for Sequoia National Park, Lodgepole, CA; Creator and Director of Arbor, an ecological restoration volunteer group at Carleton College, Northfield, MN.

Peter J. Sniffen
B.A. Geology, Hamilton College , Clinton New York
M.S. Geology,Portland State University , Portland Oregon
Experience: Whitewater raft guide on the Kennebec and Penobscot rivers, Maine; Environmental consultant, Boston Massachusetts; deckhand on the SSV Westward, Woods Hole Massachusetts, and on the Adventuress, Port Townsend, Washington. Geology research and teaching has included travel in New Mexico and Colorado , Alaska, Oregon, Iceland and Antarctica.

Sara Stephan
B.S. Elementary Education, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY
Experience: 5th grade Health, Science, and Arts and Humanities teacher, implemented school wide recycling program, Bowling Green, KY; 4th grade student teacher, San Ignacio, Belize; K-5 ESL teacher at Varee Elementary, Chiang Mai, Thailand; Camp Counselor for YMCA, Evansville, IN; In general I love rock climbing, kayaking, hiking and anything else that involves being outside.

Julia Stuble
B.A. English Literature, Minor French, University of Wyoming , Laramie , WY
Experience: Editorial Assistant, Edmund Wilson: A Life , Laramie, Wyoming; National Outdoors Leadership School Wind River Wilderness Course, Lander, Wyoming; Archaeological Surveyor, Western Wyoming; Natural Resources/Environmental Reporter, Pinedale, Wyoming.

Sarah Webster
B.A. Biology, Colby College, Waterville, ME
Experience: Colorado Outward Bound School Alumni; NOLS Wilderness Backpacking Alumni; School for International Training semester in Madagascar studying Ecology and Conservation; Coordinator for Colby RESCUE (Recycle Everything Save Colby's Usable Excess); Environmental and Agricultural Education Instructor at Wolfe's Neck Farm Summer Camp, Freeport, ME; Integrated Science Teacher at Waramadong Secondary School in Guyana; Environmental Education Instructor and Wilderness Trip Leader at Drumlin Farm Massacusetts Audubon Society Camp, Lincoln, MA; Forest Sector Programme Assistant for IUCN (World Conservation Union) Vietnam.

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