Yellowstone Institute: Meet the Team

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2025 Yellowstone Institute Participants

	Ashley Huygens Advanced Academic Programs & Services Resource Teacher Bitz Intermediate School, Onslow County Hobbies: Traveling with my family, spending time outside, connecting with friends, trying new foods, baking, and all Pittsburgh sports. Looking forward to: I am looking forward to experiencing the natural beauty Yellowstone offers, learning new content, and sharing with others.
	Richard Kowaleski 8th Grade Science Teacher Oberlin Magnet Middle School, Wake County Hobbies: I enjoy being outdoors. I enjoy camping with family and friends, spending time at the beach relaxing or fishing in the mountains or the coast. My goal is to camp or visit every National Park in the US. I am excited to spend time in Yellowstone NP and check that off my list. Looking forward to: I am looking forward to seeing the wildlife in Yellowstone NP and learning more about their contribution to such an incredible ecosystem. I especially would enjoy seeing wolves and learning more about their impact on Yellowstone after their reintroduction.
	Misty Morgan Elementary Teacher Catawba Elementary School, Catawba County Hobbies: Reading, kayaking, quilting, hiking. Looking forward to: I just wanted to express my excitement about our upcoming trip to Yellowstone! I am truly looking forward to experiencing the incredible nature it has to offer. I hope to see a lot of wildlife, including wolves and bears, as well as the amazing geysers. The thought of hiking through beautiful sights and smells, meeting new friends, trying new foods, and creating lasting memories fills me with joy.
	Fred Pfeiffer 7/8 Math and Science Teacher Lakewood Montessori Middle School, Durham County Hobbies: Hiking, running, birdwatching, native plants, beekeeping, and bread-baking. Looking forward to: I am looking forward to experiencing Yellowstone National Park on multiple levels (ecology, art, history, geology, data…) while connecting with fellow educators and scientists working in the park. I’m looking forward to learning more about conservation challenges facing Yellowstone and how they connect to similar challenges in North Carolina. Above all, I’m excited to explore a new environment and spend a ton of time outdoors!
	Wendi Pillars Science Educator Silk Hope School, Chatham County Hobbies: Writing, sketching, hiking, reading, exploring ideas and places, running, lifting, creating community. Looking forward to: Wild places spark big questions, and for me, Yellowstone is full of them. I’m especially eager to dive into the world of coyotes and the myriad species that co-exist, to explore the evolution of how Indigenous knowledge and Western science are interweaving, and to dig into the ever-shifting geology of this landscape, something which is not a strength for me. There’s so much to learn—citizen science, conservation stories, hidden ecological connections—and I can’t wait to bring it all back to my students. As a science teacher, Half-Earth Educator ambassador, and creator, I’m constantly seeking ways to bridge local and global ecosystems, and I’m excited to share ideas with fellow educators while learning how to better inspire the next generation of nature explorers.
	Jen Redfearn Senior STEM Specialist North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching, Jackson County Hobbies: Reading, roller skating. Looking forward to: Learning more about phenomena in Yellowstone and how to incorporate them into my seminars for science teachers.
	Diana Johana Romero Silva 2nd Grade and Dual Language Teacher (Spanish) North Harnett Primary School, Harnett County Hobbies: I love reading, jogging, gym, Nintento, Swimming, biking, and I am a very curious so love to explore new places. Looking forward to: I am looking to be a better teacher every day, to learn from new experiences and to find new ways to connect and improve my teaching skills in and outside the classroom.
	Leskisha Sandidge 8th Grade Social Studies Teacher Harnett Central Middle School, Harnett County Hobbies: Reading, hiking, writing and performing poetry. Looking forward to: I’m looking forward to witnessing the breathtaking geysers, especially Old Faithful, erupting in all their natural glory. I can’t wait to explore the diverse wildlife, from bison to wolves, in their native habitats. Lastly, I’m excited to hike through the stunning landscapes, from the vibrant Grand Prismatic Spring to the dramatic Yellowstone Falls. I also just want to see the sunset and the sunrise.
	Megan Sherrell Turk 5th Grade Teacher Central Park School for Children, Durham County Hobbies: Reading, painting, cooking/baking, video and board games, cheering on Duke basketball, hanging out with my 3 cats, and going for walks/hikes with my husband and new puppy! Looking forward to: I’ve never been to a national park – I’m excited for Yellowstone to be my first one! I grew up in the Sierra Nevadas, so I miss being in the mountains. I can’t wait to see all the wildlife, especially moose and wolves! It’s going to be beautiful and inspiring! I’m ready to immerse myself in nature in such beautiful surroundings! I’m also excited to see what stories, photos, and information I can take back to my classroom next year!
	Paige Stanley K-5 Tech Skills and 6-8 AVID Teacher Chicod School, Pitt County Hobbies: Flowers and plants, painting. Looking forward to: Seeing Yellowstone and all its wonders in person. Being in nature and disconnecting from stress.
	Heather Watson Agriculture Teacher North Dublin High School, Duplin County Hobbies: I enjoy hiking, camping, reading, watching movies, riding my motorcycle, cross-stitch, and visiting historical sites. Looking forward to: I look forward to the exploring the beautiful and historical Yellowstone Park. Being the nation’s first established National Park, it is richly steeped in American history. It holds some of the most well-known and visited natural wonders and breathtaking scenery. I look forward to learning more about these natural wonders through hands-on experiences and exploration. I am most excited to visit areas such as the Old Faithful Geyser and Lamar Valley. Nothing better than a classroom with a view!
	Michelle Wojcuich 5th Grade Teacher Rose Hill-Magnolia Elementary School, Dublin County Hobbies: Camping, hiking, cooking, supporting NC State (Go Pack!), loving on my fur babies. Looking forward to: Wild animals, different types of rocks, fellowship and networking with other NC educators.

Alternates

 

Jennifer Attardi Teacher Innovation Early College High School, Pitt County Hobbies: Gardening, hiking. Looking forward to: The beauty of nature surrounded by those that appreciate it.

Museum Staff Leaders

	Melissa Dowland Teacher Education Specialist NC Museum of Natural Sciences Hobbies: Camping, hiking, reading, nature photography. Looking forward to: Sharing the wonders of Yellowstone with an amazing group of teachers, witnessing their joy at the site of a baby bison and erupting geyser, and helping them return to North Carolina filled with wonder and a reignited passion for teaching.
	Danielle Pender Project RESTORE Program Specialist NC Museum of Natural Sciences Hobbies: swimming, karate, paddle boarding, reading. Looking forward to: Everything! Being a present observer, learning, expanding on my education buckets. Working with Melissa and Greg, experiencing it all through not only my eyes, but seeing the teachers experience it.
	Greg Skupien Manager of the Naturalist Center NC Museum of Natural Sciences Hobbies: Entertaining my two little girls, nature photography, playing basketball, and video games. Looking forward to: Taking on more leadership responsibilities. Making connections with our amazing NC teachers and learning from Yellowstone staff. Seeing wildlife, of course. I’m especially looking forward to finding more birds.

2023 Yellowstone Institute Team
2019 Yellowstone Institute Team