Educators Institute : Alumni

Alumni

Since 1996, IEI participants have traveled to Oregon from more than 23 countries and 27 US states. The program brings together some of the most innovative and active forest researchers, natural resource professionals, and master educators.

The alumni list is currently being updated:
check back later for more participant profiles.

2007 Participants
		Osama Aljoabeh Hebron, Palestine Osama is a teacher with the Palestine Wildlife Society where he teaches Science and Environment for 9th and 10th grade. One of his projects is the Eco-School Club, where students establish a school garden, arrange field tours, recycle, and volunteer.

		Penny Arentsen Oregon, USA Penny is the Youth and Young Adult Education Coordinator for Wallowa Resources, an NGO in rural eastern Oregon. She designs and implements outdoor science-based programs for students ages kindergarten through 12th grade in Wallowa County.

		Mariane Bueno de Camargo Brazil Mari is a forester with Klabin S/A Company, Brazil's largest paper producer and exporter. To complement her work experience in forest inventory and raw material supply, Mariane isl spendin one year at the World Forest Instiute studying and researching current and potential markets for Brazilian wood products.

		Jim Chandler Maine, USA Jim is a Consulting Teacher in Science and Director of the Auburn Land Lab in the Auburn School Department. He is responsible for science curriculum support and development for the Auburn School Department, and runs an in-district environmental center with over 4000 student visits/year.

		Melanie Cornelius Texas, USA Melanie is the Science Instructional Specialist for the Frisco Independent School District. She serves 25 elementary schools with a total of 13,000 students. Her duties are varied and include presenting workshops to teachers and principals, creating benchmark tests, helping teachers prepare lesson plans, and running a science resource center for teachers.

		Sheryl Crain Louisiana, USA Sheryl is the Science and Technology Resource Teacher at Franklinton Junior High. She works with teachers, students, and administrators to improve the academic achievement of middle school students in math and science.

		Michele Hunter Florida, USA Michele is a Fourth Grade Teacher responsible for most subjects. She is also responsible for teaching an after-school writing remediation course to struggling fourth grade writers. She coordinating Project Learning Tree week long events, trainings, and other environmental education field trips and events for her school.

		Gail Lutowski Georgia, USA Gail is a Program Specialist at the University of Georgia Warnell Forest Education Center. At the Warnell Center, she spends the majority of her time conducting non-formal educational programs on forest recources for pre-kindergarten to 12th grade students, FFA, 4-H, Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of America and college-level undergraduate and graduate natural resource students.

		Zengwang Ma Hebei, China Ma is a forest researcher for the Hebei Academy of Forestry Science. His background is in silviculture, and his work involves reforesting areas of Hebei province, which surrounds Beijing. This area has been overlogged, resulting in desertification, flooding and landslides. Consequently the government has imposed logging restrictions, and they are now faced with the task of finding alternative revenue sources through sustainable forest development.

		Nerijus Miskinis Lithuania Nerijus Miskinis is a Ph.D. forestry student at the Lithuanian University of Agriculture where he studies windthrow damage. Nerijus is currently completing a Fellowship at the World Forest Institute where he is exploring the forestry business in the Pacific Northwest and taking lessons learned back to apply in Lithuania.

		Susan Morre Oregon, USA Susan is a Ph.D. student in Forest Resources at Oregon State University, where her thesis involves the Montreal Process criteria and indicators. She also works for OSU, coordinating services for international forestry students and coteaching seminars and classes on international forestry issues.

		Kathy Overton Victoria, Australia Kathy is the Statewide Forest Education Coordinator for the Department of Sustainability and Environment. She manages the Toolangi Forest Education Service, which gives forest education programs to 10,000 students each year.

		Cristopher Lopez Paniagua Mexico Cristopher recently finished his masters degree in forestry from the Colegio de Postgraduados in Montecillo, Mexico. He is currently working with several groups involved in the management of the Monarch Butterfly Reserve - including WWF-MEXICO, the Mexican Fund to the Nature Conservation, USAID, and CONANP - to develop an ecotourism market study for the Reserve.

		Matthew Pope New South Wales, Australia Matthew is an operations forester at Forests New South Wales with a broad range of responsibilities including fire, recreation, weed control, fertilizing and road construction for radiata pine plantations. Matthew is completing a Fellowship with the World Forest Institute investigating the use of integrated field data management systems for forest operations.

		Hazel Scharosch Alcova, Wyoming Hazel teaches in a traditional "one-room" classroom, with grades K through six in the same room. Student numbers vary in any given year, depending upon what families are living in the agricultural area near the school. She teaches all content areas to all grade levels K-6.

		Carlos Sierra Columbia Carlos is a PhD student in the Department of Forest Science at Oregon State University. His research is focused on understanding carbon and nutrient dynamics in forest ecosystems using simulation models. He has developed his work mainly in Colombia and the Pacific Northwest region of the US.

		Eva Skytte Denmark Eva is a Nature Interpreter for the Danish Forest Association. She works with the "Skoven i Skolen" program that encourages schools to use forests for educational activities, including math, languages, and handicrafts.


2006 Participants
		Anne Bohnet South Carolina, USA Anne is the Director of the the Science and Technology Enrichment Program (STEP), a cooperative effort between Washington Savannah River Company, Silver Bluff Audubon Center, and the Ruth Patrick Science Education center. The STEP program reaches nearly 3,000 students each year.

		Valéria M. Freixêdas São Paulo, Brazil Valeria is currently completing Masters degree at the University of Sao Paulo, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz”. Valeria moderates work groups, presents lectures and courses at ESALQ and others academic and non-academic institutions.

		Patricia Hernánde-de la Rosa Montecillo, Mexico As an Associate Professor at Colegio de Postgraduados in Texcoco, México, Patricia teaches and advises postgraduates on research related to silviculture practices in temperate pine forest and tropical plantations.

		Jørn Kjersheim Molde, Norway Jørn is the Manager of the More and Romsdal Forestry Society, where he develops educational materials and teaches courses in outdoor education for teachers.

		Elyne Semenoff Whangarei, New Zealand A classroom teacher, Elyen is responsible for implementing and teaching Rural Studies, Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry and Environmental Education. She also works with classroom teachers, Senior Management and the School Board of Trustees to implement environmental education policies that are cross-curricular and that incorporate Maori tanga (culture) in the school.

		Galina Suvorova Irkutsk, Russia As a researcher and professor at Irkutk State University, Galina and her team of scientists and graduate students investigate conifer photosynthesis and respiration in natural stands. She also teaches on the subject of terrestrial plant photosynthesis.

		Jane Thornes Idaho, USA Jane is a 4th grade teacher, as well as a Project Learning Tree and Project WET facilitator. Each year she brings students to her tree farm for outdoor, hands-on activities in the forest and stream.

		Jasjit Walia Himachal Pradesh, India Jasjit Walia works for the Indian Forest Service as the Chief Conservator of Forests for his region. His primary interest is in environmental services, which he feels holds great promise for his Himalayan State.

		John Turland New South Wales, Australia John is a senior forestry analyst / modeler for Forests New South Wales, a Public Trading Enterprise responsible for sustainably managing more than 2 million hectares of public native forests and an expanding estate of hardwood and softwood planted forests.

		Pei-jung Wang Taipei, Taiwan Pei-jung is an assistant researcher in the Division of Forest Management at the Taiwan Forest Research Institute. Her research interests and specialties include forest sociology, community forestry, and forest policy. She also teaches forestry at a local university.

		Hehe Zhang Beijing, China Hehe is the Manager of the Enviromental Education Department at Friends of Nature. She teaches, trains, and travels with FON on projects such as "Antelope Car," a traveling program that visits schools highlighting the plight of the endangered Tibetan antelope.

		Rajni Walia Himachal Pradesh, India Rajni is currently on sabbatical from her Lecturer position at the Government Colleges in India to pursue a post-doc in gender studies at UC Berkely. In India, her volunteer works include tree planting, environmental outreach activiies, and gender sensitization education for rural people.

		Debbie Abel Oregon, USA Debbie is a 6th grade teacher in Hillsboro, Oregon, where she teaches all subjects.

		Seol Woong Lee Seoul, Korea An architectural engineer by training, Seol Woong works for an integrated forest products company, Eagon Industrial. His company grows trees to produce flooring, furniture, windows, and doors.


2005 Participants
		Caroline Alston Washington DC, USA

		Melinda Burbank Connecticut, USA Melinda is a high school biology and chemistry teacher at Westover School where she resides as the Science Department Chair. Her expertise is in wetlands and conservation, regulatory and conservation issues, including septic systems, sewer lines, nuclear power, fossil fuels and green energy.

		Harriet Crawford New Mexico, USA Harriet is a business class teacher at Albuquerque Public Schools. She teaches fundamentals of marketing, accounting and computer applications. She has a BA and MA in Business Education and is certified in Microsoft Office applications.

		Mary Cutler Indiana, USA Mary is a naturalist for Tippecanoe County Parks and Recreation.

		Jesus Delgado Brazil Jesus is a professor at Minas Gerais State University. His expertise is in agricultural engineering, resource policy and planning and forest resources conservation. His expertise also includes soils, protected areas, and land conservation.

		Linda Desai California, USA Linda is an education director for Placer Nature Center. She directs and develops environmental education programming. Linda has a BS and an MS in conservation education.

		Rosa Flores Chile Rosa works for the National Committee for the Defense of Fauna and Flora as a national coordinator of the Environmental Education Program. Her expertise is as an agricultural engineer and environmental educator.

		Caroline Gonzales Oregon, USA Carolina teaches middle school science for Portland Public Schools. She plans the two year curriculum including one year of earth science and the other year is physical and chemical science. Her post graduate training is in atmosphere/weather, oceanography, GIS, water and earth systems.

		David Hamilton Tasmania, Australia David is an education officer for the Forest Education Foundation where he works with local teachers and students to organize camp experiences, develop outdoor education programs, and organizes the National Conference of Forest Educators in Australia.

		Peggy Herbert New Hampshire, USA Peggy is a retired elementary school teacher. She volunteers with PLT running workshops and conducts PLT activities at her church.

		Larry Kowalski South Carolina, USA Larry is a science specialist at Midway Elementary School where he provides hands-on laboratory experiences for grades two through five involving 500 students. He has knowledge of microbiology, parasitology, gardening and the environment.

		Leon Mays Florida, USA Leon teaches computer based English and Social Studies at Bay County Schools. He has coordinated PLT for 12 years concentrating on environmental science, urban forestry and endangered species.

		Knut Monssen Norway Knut is the leader of the Hamar Nature School where he develops educational themes. He is also in charge of international cooperation projects. His expertise is in freshwater systems, forests, and climate change.

		Patrice Taah Ngalla Cameroon Patrice is currently working for the World Wildlife Fund’s Central Africa Regional Program Office as a GIS/Remote Sensing Specialist. Patrice provides advanced customized GIS and remote sensing work to support conservation and the sustainable use of natural resources in southeast Cameroon.

		Darcy Vickers Tasmania, Australia Darcy develops and delivers resources and programs for teachers to support Tasmanian curriculum objectives. Many of his educational programs focus on understanding ecological processes, related research and it application to managing forest environments.

		Xiaoli Wang Beijing, China Xiaoli is a forestland and forest tenure administration officer at the State Forestry Administration in Beijing, China. She has worked making national policies, dealing with forest tenure conflicts across the provincial boundary, and training and supervising officials on implementing law, polices and regulations on forest land and forest tenure administration.


2004 Participants
		Bjorn Bjornstad Norway Bjorn is the manager of the school forest program at the Forest Extension Institute.

		Linda Carson New Hampshire, Oregon Linda is a 7th grade environmental program instructor at Hillsboro-Deering School District. She has taught middle school outdoor science for 10 years and just completed her Master of Education in curriculum and instruction from Plymouth State University. Linda is an expert in local ecosystems and fisheries.

		Paul Donaldson Victoria, Australia Paul is the leading teacher at Fairhills High School where he teaches science and geography to seniors. His education is in environmental education and worked with Parks Victoria and Dandenong Ranges National Park in Australia.

		Catherine Estes Washington DC, USA Catherine is a Project Learning Tree program coordinator. She develops and distributes environmental education curriculum materials and training. She has a Masters in natural resources with an emphasis in environmental education.

		Sandy Greene Virginia, USA Sandy is a Conservation Education Specialist for Headwaters Soil and Waters Conservations District. Sandy received her BS in medical biology and is familiar with natural history and ecology, sustainable farming and gardening, water quality, and conservations easements.

		Hamish Gunn New Zealand Hamish is the regional training manager for Forest Industry Training Education Council. He is experienced in teaching practical forestry skills and an interest in sustainable plantation forestry. At FITEC he presents information about the forest to encourage people to consider a career in forestry.

		Jiunn-Cheng "David" Linn Taiwan, China David manages 1000 hectares of forestland in the Taimali research center, under the Taiwan Forestry Research Institute. The center is located in southeast Taiwan. It is one of six research centers which belong to TFRI. His research is on carbon sequestration and forest valuation ecosystem services.

		Ling-Yu "Nancy" Liu Taiwan, China Nancy’s expertise is in education, and she is also interested in forest recreation.

		Derenda Marshall South Carolina, USA Derenda teaches 7th grade life science at Georgetown Middle School. While she is certified in Early Education and Elementary Education, her love is science, environmental education and natural resources.

		Mikkel Brings Nielsen Denmark Mikkel works as a forestry consultatnt at the International Woodland Company in Copenhagen, Denmark where he analyzes different investment regions in the world. He targets institutional investors, conducts market, price, and financial analysis for investors and groups.

		Janis Stewart Alabama, USA Janis is the principle of Meadowview Elementary School. She is a PLT co-author of Exploring the Forest for Plan It 3. Her school is environmentally savvy and they host a large earth day event including 1500+ people in the community.

		Fred Weichmann Florida, USA Fred is the elementary principal of Lakeland Christian School. His BS is in comprehensive science and his expertise is in natural sciences and he desires to bring environmental education to his students.