Tropical Ecology Institute: Meet the Team

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Participants of the 2018 Tropical Ecology Institute

	Auxiliadora (Dora) Ack Standard 5 Teacher Big Falls R. C. School, Toledo District, Belize Hobbies: Reading, traveling, gardening, swimming Looking forward to: I want to get first-hand information about the ecosystems and identify the interactions of living things within them so that I can arouse my children’s curiosity this coming school year.
	Karen Barker Science Teacher Arendell Parrott Academy, Lenoir County Hobbies: Photography, Reading, and spending time with family Looking forward to: Visiting a tropical rainforest and snorkeling in a coral reef. I’m also excited about having the opportunity to bring back real-life experiences to enhance my classroom.
	Rachel Carter Family and Consumer Science Teacher Mount Vernon Middle School, Wake County Hobbies: Baking, reading and learning, thrifting, and hiking and adventuring with my husband and pup Looking forward to: Seeing animals I’ve never seen before, experiencing a new culture and meeting new people, hiking in a rainforest, and saying “YES” to new adventures!
	Nicole Cesari 7th Grade Science Teacher Moore Square Middle School, Wake County Hobbies: Dancing, playing/hanging out with my dog, reading, finding and cooking new Pinterest recipes, bullet journaling, dreaming of home projects that are out of my budget Looking forward to: Stepping out of my comfort zone and into the natural beauty of Belize to learn more about what it means to be an environmental steward and learn ways to ignite a passion for science and curiosity in my students. Oh, and seeing some awesome animals would be cool, too!
	Linda Dion Teacher Holly Springs High School, Wake County Hobbies: Photography, painting, gardening and enjoying the outdoors! Looking forward to: Adventuring into complex and beautiful ecosystems, learning from Belizean educators and museum staff about the rich culture and biodiversity of Belize, and documenting and sharing the experience with my colleagues and loved ones.
	Shannon Haynes Science Teacher Polk County High School, Polk County Hobbies: Hiking, reading, petting any animal I can! Looking forward to: I want to see new animals and ecosystems while experiencing a different culture and climate. I can’t wait to reignite my passion for science and try to pass that passion to my students.
	Kate Keller Science Teacher Cane Creek Middle School, Buncombe County Hobbies: Traveling, camping, hiking, mountain biking Looking forward to: Exploring a new place and thinking of ways I can share this experience with my students!
	Gail Lemiec Visitor Experience Coordinator NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher, New Hanover County Hobbies: Running, reading, traveling, hanging out with my husband and dogs Looking forward to: Revisiting a few familiar sights while also seeing some new things. Connecting with the culture in Belize is a big plus for me, as well!
	Meridith Mitchell Middle School Science Teacher/K-12 Science Coach IC Imagine Public Charter School, Buncombe County Hobbies: Gardening, reading, spending time with my family, traveling Looking forward to: Exploring a new culture and place to bring back to my students and teachers.
	Armin Petzold Teacher Saint Agnes Anglican School, La Democracia Village, Belize Hobbies: Volleyball, Restaurants, Teaching Math, Being with family Looking forward to: Getting away from the stifling heat, meeting some interesting people and experiencing something completely new.
	Brooke Pritchett Seventh Grade Science Teacher Sampson Middle School, Sampson County Hobbies: Hiking, art, reading, photography, gardening Looking forward to: Getting to see and experience first-hand the tropical rainforest and the coral reefs.
	Kristin Riley Science Teacher Orange High School, Orange County Hobbies: Reading, cooking, fitness with friends, reality TV and hanging out with my family whenever I can. Looking forward to: EVERYTHING! I am especially excited about experiencing all of the various ecosystems, seeing the places I read about in “Jaguar” and “The Last Flight of the Scarlet Macaw,” snorkeling and learning about coral reef ecology, experiencing Belizean culture and building relationships that will impact not only my life but those of my students as well.
	Amanda Tufts Science Teacher Camden County High School, Camden County Hobbies: Reading, outdoor activities, and watching my children’s eyes sparkle as they experience new things Looking forward to: Experiencing a new culture, learning about the many environments (like mangroves) that we are going to be immersed in, and bringing back a treasure trove of knowledge to share with my students.
	Katie Yunker Instructional Coach Forest View Elementary, Durham County Hobbies: LEARNING, nature, cooking, traveling, and organizing things Looking forward to: I am always excited about learning new ways to bring an appreciation of culture and love of nature to the students of Durham.

Museum Staff Leaders

	Liz Baird Chief, School and Lifelong Education North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Wake County Looking forward to: Sharing the amazing ecosystems of Belize with a new group of educators. I’m excited to connect with long-time friends in Belize as well!
	Jason Cryan Chief, Research and Collections and Deputy Director of the Museum North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Wake County Looking forward to: Rediscovering the tropics through the eyes of people who have never seen it.
	Art Howard Photographer ArtWork, Wake County Looking forward to: Because travel has been such a big part in my own personal growth I look forward to watching how the Belize experience impacts and changes the NC teachers
	Nathan Forbes Naturalist Guide Belize City, Belize Looking forward to: Sharing my country with a new group of teachers and visiting with my friends from North Carolina.