Ryan Prostejovsky has always had a passion for the outdoors. He grew up accompanied by his skis, mountain bike, backpack, and climbing gear in the mountains of southern Arizona. After the family move, he attended college at James Madison University, where he studied Media Arts and Design - a field that interested him, but Ryan's real passion lay in the mountains. He spent his free time exploring the surrounding wilderness until his graduation, when he realized that he had to share his love for nature. He is excited to join Teton Science Schools to do precisely that, as well as grow as an educator and outdoorsman.

Originally from Alabama, Sophia traveled to the Pacific Northwest to study at Seattle University, receiving a degree in Environmental Studies with a specialization in Ecological Systems in June 2025. Highlighted by studying
abroad alongside several environmental organizations in New Zealand, Sophia’s time at Seattle U allowed her to gain experience in the fields of conservation and education. Her passion for combining the two led to the discovery of Teton Science Schools. As an AmeriCorps member, she hopes to both gain and share knowledge of place-based education, community building, and environmental stewardship with students and peers alike. In her free time, Sophia enjoys your typical outdoorsy activities such as hiking, paddleboarding, and backpacking. Additionally, she is a birding enthusiast and will seize any opportunity to get outdoors and search for new birds.

Devan grew up in Southern Vermont, surrounded by lush forests, and developed a deep love for learning about and caring for the outdoors, as well as sharing that passion with others. Devan graduated from the University of Vermont in 2025 with a degree in Natural Resources, Agroecology, and Place-Based Education. She has recently worked with Audubon Vermont as a Conservation Intern and is excited to bring her passion for birds and their magic with her to TSS as an AmeriCorps member. Devan could not be more thrilled to learn about the Tetons alongside her peers and students while teaching with the land. In her free time, Devan enjoys biking, hiking, exploring new flora and fauna, and watercolor painting all the birds she spots.

Originally from Salt Lake City, Utah, Avila (she/her) grew up spending as much time as possible in the mountains. She attended the University of Utah, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and International Studies, developing a passion for community-based learning and global development. She chose to serve with AmeriCorps at Teton Science Schools because she’s passionate about environmental education and excited to be part of a community that values connection to place, curiosity, and learning through experience. In her free time, she enjoys skiing, hiking, climbing, camping, paddleboarding, crocheting, and appreciating live music.

Eleanor Jones is a recent Graduate from the University of Denver. She received a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and GIS. Throughout college, she worked as a peer educator and an outdoor teacher at a summer camp. She would teach peers about the new community they were about to be a part of. While at the camp, students would learn about the aquatic ecosystems they interact with on a daily basis. Ellie chose to join TSS through Americorp because of her love of teaching and the natural environment. In her free time, she enjoys rock climbing at the craig with her friends.

Lily is originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but went to college in Ohio and just graduated in May! During her time at school, she took numerous interesting courses, participated in lab work on campus, and had the opportunity to study abroad in the Bahamas —all of which deepened her love for science and the outdoors. She also got to visit TSS one summer as part of her Honors program and loved it so much that she had to come back for more! Lily has had her fair share of experience with outdoor education, particularly in her most recent role in North Carolina, where she worked with students and the local sea turtle hospital... There, she taught about conservation, did public outreach, and yes, got to hang out with a lot of turtles. In her free time, she enjoys getting together with family and friends, traveling, and staying active with basketball, running, and other sports, such as her most recent activity: climbing! She is a people person and loves getting to know others; she is particularly excited to meet everyone at TSS!

Molly Grand grew up in New York and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with degrees in Environmental Studies and Data Science. She first developed a passion for the outdoors as a student at the High Mountain Institute, an experience that deepened her appreciation for place-based education and its power to connect people with the landscapes around them. At UNC, Molly worked at the climbing wall, developing skills in geospatial data analysis, remote sensing, and sustainable land management. These experiences strengthened her interest in the intersection of science and education. Over the past few summers, she has led youth on hiking and camping trips, fostering teamwork, curiosity, a sense of community, and an appreciation for the natural world. She chose to join TSS as an AmeriCorps member to share her passion for environmental learning and help students build meaningful connections to place. In her free time, Molly enjoys trail running, backpacking, climbing, and discovering new places to swim!

Born in San Francisco, Annie moved to Bali, Indonesia, when she was eight. There, she attended the Green School (a place made of bamboo, with no walls), where she was fortunate to spend much of her childhood outside. Setting the stage for Annie’s interest in outdoor-centered education, she learned about animal and plant lifecycles, tides, and the underwater ecosystem by gardening, surfing, and scuba diving as part of the school’s curriculum. This connection between learning and the outdoors continued when she moved back to California for high school, highlighted by a backpacking trip that included a three-day solo. Her experience alone in the wilderness furthered her belief in the power of nature to teach, not only content, but also personal and emotional development. Alongside her own schooling, Annie coached sailing for five summers and taught English while studying abroad in Seville, Spain. She is passionate about inspiring a love of learning through hands-on experience and is very excited to spend time exploring place-based learning with students this fall. Annie recently graduated from Tufts University with a BA in History and International Relations, as well as a minor in Spanish. In her free time, she enjoys live music, hiking, cross-wording, skiing, sailing, and eating good food. She completed the John Muir Trail this summer and hopes to section-hike more of the PCT in years to come.

Loving the mountains in New Hampshire, Sophie attended Davidson College in North Carolina to study Environmental Social Science. After learning about the connection between humans and the wilderness, she moved to Steamboat to work at an independent boarding school, where she created meaningful outdoor experiences for students from Kindergarten to 12th grade. She chose to be an AmeriCorps member at Teton Science Schools because she loves the mountains in Jackson and wants to learn how to create impactful place-based curricula. Outside, you can find Sophie skiing, biking, hiking, or fishing; inside, you'll find her baking or doing a puzzle.

Hannah grew up in Massachusetts and recently graduated from Harvard University with a degree in Environmental Science and Public Policy. As a field scientist, she has studied baobabs and elephants at Karingani Game Reserve, as well as wetlands and greenhouse gases at the Harvard Forest. She loves mapping and worked as a GIS analyst with Lithos Carbon and Pattern Energy. She’s been a trip leader and President of the Harvard Outing Club, so the White Mountains of New Hampshire will always have a special place in her heart! Hannah is excited to share her passion for the environment with students at TSS and help facilitate place-based learning in this incredible ecosystem. She is looking forward to gaining teaching skills and exploring the Tetons with the TSS community. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, skiing, playing violin, and meeting new people!