Blue Ridge Institute: Meet the Team 2022

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2022 Blue Ridge Institute Participants

	Cicelia Aguilar Instructional Coach Warren County Schools Hobbies: Crocheting, baking, reading, hiking Looking forward to: I would like to be more connected with nature so I can share that enthusiasm with my teachers and students.
	Traci House Kindergarten Teacher Whiteville Primary School, Columbus County Hobbies: Hiking, traveling, exploring, photography, playing with my puppy, and drinking coffee Looking forward to: I am looking forward to learning more about the mountains that I have fallen in love with over the last few years, exploring/diving in to new parts of them, and learning about the culture of the blue ridge mountains.
	Adam Hubert 6th-8th Grade Science/Athletic Director Hope Academy GSO, Guilford County Hobbies: Gardening, nature walks, listening to music, writing, and anything sports related Looking forward to: Getting to explore the beauty of NC with other dedicated environmental educators while also challenging myself in new ways. I’m excited to study the interconnectedness of our ecosystems and learn how we as educators can foster a love for that ecosystem with our students in the classroom. I’m also excited to see the vast species of salamander that call the Blue Ridge mountains home.
	Danielle Lynch Environmental Connections Integration Specialist Millbrook Environmental Connections Magnet Elementary, Wake County Hobbies: Gardening, hiking, walking, exploring different areas around the state and county where I live, spending time with family and cooking Looking forward to: Getting out into nature with fellow educators and learning from one another. I love making connections that I can continue to build for years to come.
	Emily Moreno 4th Grade Science/Math Teacher FernLeaf Community Charter School, Henderson County Hobbies: I love hiking, camping, and traveling. Also, I enjoy photography and scent detection work with my dogs. Looking forward to: I am looking forward to learning more about the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains and the plants and animals that live there.
	Melissa Maria Oñate 9-12 Science Teacher Cumberland Academy 6-12, Cumberland County Hobbies: Baking, crafting, hiking, camping, traveling. Looking forward to: Getting to experience the various adventures as a group and learn more about our state.
	Kaylee Schwarz 5th Grade Teacher Hillburn Academy, Wake County Hobbies: Volleyball, painting, DIY crafts, kayaking, hanging out with friends and family, and doing anything with my dog Looking forward to: I’m looking forward to escaping into the mountains! I want to become more confident with my camping and hiking skills and no better way to do that than through the Blue Ridge Institute. I’m excited to explore more of the Blue Ridge and learn so much more about my state.
	Anna Lisa Seaborn 2nd Grade Teacher Gatesville Elementary, Gates County Hobbies: Sewing, cooking, quilting. Looking forward to: Being totally submerged in a natural environment.
	Sarah Walls Humanities Teacher Lakewood Montessori Middle School, Durham County Hobbies: Reading, youth sports spectating, hiking, travel. Looking forward to: I’m eager to get new ideas for outdoor learning and interdisciplinary projects. I also know that in order to ask my students to challenge themselves and get out of their comfort zones, I need to practice that. Snorkeling in a freezing mountain river seems to fit the bill!

Alternates

Alternates attend orientation and are ready to step in if a participant can no longer attend the Institute. Additionally, they are guaranteed a spot the next time this Institute is offered.

	Luba Tyer Title I WCPSS Lead Teacher Wake County Public School System Hobbies: Photography Looking forward to: Exploring the Blue Ridge Mountains and sharing with my students my excitement about this beautiful part of our state.
	Holly Kolarova ESL and EC Teacher Clear Creek Elementary, Henderson County Hobbies: Clowning, hiking, reading. Looking forward to: Discovering how to bring the wonders of natural history and sciences from our beautiful area to inspire and engage all of our students.

Museum Staff Leaders

	Melissa Dowland Manager of Teacher Education NC Museum of Natural Sciences Hobbies: Camping, hiking, reading, nature photography Looking forward to: Snorkeling in mountain streams, learning from experts, and sharing our amazing NC backyard with a fantastic group of educators.
	Greg Skupien Curator of the Naturalist Center NC Museum of Natural Sciences Hobbies: Gardening with native plants, playing basketball, reading, decorating cookies with my wife, finding new ways to entertain my two little girls Looking forward to: Spending time outdoors with a bunch of awesome educators and learning more about the mountains.
	Chris Smith Coordinator of Current Science Programs NC Museum of Natural Sciences Hobbies: Hiking; looking for critters; getting dessert with dinner; visiting record stores. Looking forward to: Being outdoors all the time; exploring the mountains with people driven by curiosity; maybe we’ll see a bear this time; Dolly’s Ice Cream.

2021 Blue Ridge Institute Teams