Meet the Place Network Team

We're excited to work with you!

Leslie Cook Head of Professional Learning
Leslie’s interests in science and getting kids outside led her to attend Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center’s Graduate Program in Finland, Minnesota. She completed her Master’s degree at Prescott College focused on understanding how educators connect students to place. Those graduate studies led her to Teton Science Schools where she has been since 2008. Leslie works with Professional Learning and Graduate Program teams, facilitating training for in-service and pre-service teachers near the Tetons, across the US, and around the world.
Sharon Laidlaw Director of Place Network
Sharon is passionate about using technology for the greater good, amplifying the best aspects of quality in-person learning while increasing educational opportunities for all. In rural Costa Rica, New York City, and Austin, TX, she has served as a district technology lead, high school English teacher, instructional coach, and teacher trainer. Areas of focus include: liberatory design for equity, personalized learning, relationship-based and goal-driven coaching, mindfulness in education, and authentic assessment. She has a Master’s degree from the University of Georgia in Instructional Design and balances her use of digital tools with screen-free experiences such as rock climbing, van camping, and backpacking with her two sons.
Kate Gessford Professional Learning Coach
Fascinated by the science of learning, Kate collaborates with students to make learning “stick.” She guides learners to grow their understanding and use it to take action that makes a positive impact in their communities. Whether she is leading wilderness expeditions, classroom teaching, coaching teachers, writing curriculum, or just exploring the garden with her young daughter, Kate values a sense of adventure. She has a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and a Masters in Science Education.
Amy Lorenz Professional Learning Coach
Amy first attended a summer program at TSS at age 12, and the experience stuck with her. She taught experiential science in southern California and spent summers studying and teaching marine mammal ecology in the Canadian Maritimes before attending the TSS Graduate Program. Her masters research focused on the influence of citizen science on student attitudes, understanding of science practices, and sense of place. Before returning to the Tetons, she spent three years in Cambridge, MA with the Encyclopedia of Life project where she developed a place-based biodiversity curriculum, led schoolyard bio-blitzes, and coordinated community science projects. Amy is fond of collecting rocks, observing wildlife, having outdoor adventures with her husband and dog, and learning to play accordion.
Kelly Gaskins Professional Learning Coach
Kelly grew up on a small family farm in Columbia, Missouri where her love of the outdoors began. Fascinated by people and all the things they can do, Kelly was drawn to “the spark” students have when they use their minds. As an educator, Kelly quickly discovered her passion for authentic learning and meaningful education. Before joining TSS, Kelly taught high school Social Studies for 6 years and received her MA from the University of Missouri in Learning, Teaching, and Curriculum, with a focus on inquiry-based learning. Throughout her career, she has focused on building strong relationships and inspiring students to become lifelong learners and wanderers. Her goal as a Professional Learning Coach with TSS is to bring joy back into the instructional environment, connect schools with their local communities, and reconnect kids to their natural world. When Kelly is not educating, she is spending time with her husband and dog outside, gardening, and getting out to the mountains as often as possible.
Alex Sivitskis Education Research Faculty & Professional Learning Coach
Alex Sivitskis (He/Him) – Alex is originally from the small town and glaciated landscapes of Princeton, Massachusetts. After completing his undergraduate studies in Earth sciences, he began a career in environmental education through an AmeriCorps position in Casper, Wyoming. Alex first joined Teton Science Schools in 2018 as a participant in the graduate program. He completed a Master’s degree in Natural Science Education from the University of Wyoming. From 2019-2021, he was teaching place-based education, GIS, and remote sensing at The Royal University of Bhutan and other nonprofit organizations through a fellowship with TSS.

Alex joined the TSS Field Education department as a lead instructor for the 2022 season. Now returning to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, he is excited to engage with the land alongside students respectfully. His educational philosophy is centered around the implementation of a critical pedagogy of place and inquiry-based learning. He is currently living in Wilson, WY.
Monica Bun Program Administrator of Professional Learning
Monica has an undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. During her time at UMass Amherst, she worked for the International Programs Office assisting students interested in studying abroad as well as international students from across the globe. It was while working with International Programs in which she learned how integral place is in relation to community. Prior to TSS, she lived on a small homestead care-taking goats and chickens practicing intentional community-based values. Some of her personal interests lie in equitable food systems, mycology, regenerative agriculture, and sustainable livestock management. With her current position as Graduate Program Administrator and Enrollment Coordinator, she looks forward to working with current and prospective students in building a community that promotes a strong sense of belonging, empowerment, and connection to place.