Mexico’s Magical Migrations Institute: Meet the Team

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2025 Mexico’s Magical Migrations Institute Participants

	Meghan Baker Extension Agent Buncombe County Hobbies: Biking, backpacking, hiking, watercolors. Looking forward to: Witnessing the overwintering site of monarch butterflies has been a dream of mine since graduate school. I’m so excited to experience firsthand how the threads of natural history, ecology, and cultural importance are woven into the historical traditions and current conservation efforts of this and other fascinating creatures.
	Cindy Bredenberg Spanish Teacher/Dual Language Program Coordinator Jordan-Matthews High School, Chatham County Hobbies: Running, cooking, and sewing. Looking forward to: I am looking forward to visiting the ruins, Mexico City, but most of all seeing the mariposas!
	Krista Brinchek Science Specialist Abbotts Creek Elementary School, Wake County Hobbies: Hiking, kayaking, anything in nature and enjoying time with my family! Looking forward to: Seeing the monarch butterflies in their overwintering location!!
	Marcie Burke K-8 English for Multilingual Learners Teacher Ayden Elementary School, Bethel K-8, and Grifton K-8; Pitt County Hobbies: Gardening, spending time with my 2 college age children and husband and my parents, and traveling. Looking forward to: I am looking to experiencing the awe of the monarch butterflies overwintering and learning about the culture of Mexico.
	Doug Clark 2nd Grade Teacher Battleground Elementary, Lincoln County Hobbies: Spending time with my family, fishing, hiking, and enjoying and learning about the natural world. Looking forward to: I am looking forward to witnessing the monarchs in their overwintering grounds and not being able to count them all. I would absolutely love to find someone’s tagged monarch that made it all the way to Mexico.
	Kathryn Edwards Media Coordinator Williamston Primary School, Martin County Hobbies: Gardening, woodworking, playing music/saxophone, playing with my kids, and cats. Looking forward to: Seeing the different landscapes, ways of life in different places, and of course the amazing animals in nature!
	Vanessa Garcia Math and Science Teacher Sampson Middle School, Sampson County Hobbies: Spending time with family, reading, and logic puzzles. Looking forward to: Meeting other educators and experiencing the touristic side of Mexico.
	Kate Highsmith STEM Coach Patriots STEM Elementary School, Cabarrus County Hobbies: Pickleball, thrifting, reading, and drawing/painting. Looking forward to: This trip is a bucket-list item for me in so many aspects. I look forward to experiencing first-hand the winter habitat of the monarch butterfly. I look forward to learning more about the environmental and cultural significance of the monarch in Mexico. I look forward to seeing the whales also.
	Beverly Owens Science Teacher Cleveland Early College High School, Cleveland County Hobbies: I love spending time with my family, reading, exploring our amazing world, and doing art. My daughter and I spend quite a bit of time together painting and drawing. I enjoy nature journaling and natural science illustration, allowing me to combine my passion for both art and science. I also do 3D printing and design, and recently co-authored the MakerBot Educators Guidebook about classroom applications of 3D printing. Looking forward to: I love being able to explore nature and experience new things. I’m excited to see Mexico, and personally experience its beautiful culture, from art to archaeological sites! For years, I have read about the monarch migration, and just accepted the fact that I would never see that amazing sight – but because of this program, I will finally get to, and I am beyond thrilled! I’m curious to see different flora and fauna in different environments in Mexico, and getting to nature journal about them. I recently completed a Marine Naturalist certification, and I look forward to comparing Salish Sea whale characteristics to whales sighted during our trip as we learn about whale migration. Getting to have this experience with a cohort of educators from NC will enrich the experience, allowing us all to explore meaningful connections to our science curriculum.
	Herminia Reese Math Teacher/Instructional Coach Douglas Byrd Middle School, Cumberland County Hobbies: Bike riding, Latin dancing, jogging, and hiking. Looking forward to: Meeting new people, seeing Mexico in person (it has been a long time for me) and being in the presence of the butterflies and whales. It just takes my breath away thinking about it.
	Mike Twietmeyer High School Science Teacher, Durham Association of Educators President Riverside High School, Durham County Hobbies: Knitting, baking, running, and drinking coffee. Looking forward to: Seeing the monarchs! It’s been a life-long dream of mine.
	Trista Williams 3rd Grade EC Teacher Cherokee Central Schools, Swain County Hobbies: Camping, crocheting, and soaking up as much sun as possible in the warm weather. Looking forward to: I can’t wait to see what the landscapes and architecture looks like around Mexico. I also really look forward to seeing the Pacific Ocean because I’ve never seen it before!

Trip Leaders

	Melissa Dowland Manager of Teacher Education NC Museum of Natural Sciences Hobbies: Camping, hiking, reading, and nature photography. Looking forward to: I’m so excited to experience millions of monarchs flying overhead and standing in awe of the magic of nature with an amazing group of educators. Monarch butterflies were an important part of my start as a naturalist at the Museum 20 years ago, and I can hardly believe I’ll have the chance to see them in Mexico! I’m also excited to experience new places and species, hopefully see humpback whales breaching, and learn alongside this group.
	Martha Fisk Manager of Offsite and Virtual Outreach NC Museum of Natural Sciences Hobbies: Reading, exploring nature with my family, and cooking new foods. Looking forward to: Visiting new natural areas and witnessing the amazing phenomena of over-wintering monarchs, tropical birds, and whales.
	Jessie Birckhead EcoQuest Trip Leader Hobbies: Horseback riding, birding, and checking out live music. Looking forward to: I am so excited to support the Educators of Excellence team as we explore Mexico. This is one of my favorite itineraries to guide and I cannot wait to experience the group seeing roosting monarchs for the first time.

2022 Blue Ridge Institute Team
2021 Blue Ridge Institute Teams