Nature Camp Staff
Amber JacobsonCamp Director
Amber has been teaching early elementary for nearly 20 years. She was inspired by her grandmother who was a dedicated teacher for most of her life. Amber says that teaching at TVCS allows her to be the kind of teacher she wants to be - creative, integrated, and flexible in her approach. After growing up in Kansas and attending UK, Amber moved to Colorado and taught at elementary schools in Denver and Vail. She earned her master's degree in education from the University of Colorado along with an endorsement in reading. Amber moved to Teton Valley in 2004 with her husband Brian because they were awed by the scenery and impressed with the sense of community here. Amber enjoys telemark skiing, fishing, walking her dogs, and spending time with friends and family.
Amber can be reached at amber@tetonvalleycommunityschool.com
Brad ArmstrongCamp Counselor
Brad has a passion for the outdoors, education, adventure sports, sustainability and responsibility, not necessarily in that order. He is an accomplished outdoor educator, receiving an Associate of Arts in Outdoor Education: Adventure Programming and Wilderness Leadership from Central Wyoming College in 2009. As part of the degree requirements for that program, Brad attended a NOLS Outdoor Educator Spring Semester in 2007. Combining a career in the outdoors of guiding, emergency services and experiential education has led to a diverse work history and very interesting life involving back country rescue, wilderness survival, place based learning, natural history, and community service. His latest adventure was spending four and a half months in Hong Kong leading international students through outdoor education curriculum and pursuits, flying large kites on the beach, and surfing in a typhoon.
Brad can be reached at branow66@yahoo.com
Erin DowlingCamp Counselor
Erin grew up in a suburb of New York City. After spending summers backpacking with a camp called The Road Less Travelled, she took a self-guided journey on the Appalachian Trail through the Blue Ridge Mountains. Her wanderlust still not satisfied, Erin moved to the desert in California then to the rainforest of the Olympic Peninsula. She graduated from The Evergreen State College with a BA. There, she contributed to collaborative research of botanical extracts originating in the college’s organic farm and surrounding wild areas. At the 9th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium at the University of Washington in Seattle, Erin was the proud presenter of this research data. She had the opportunity to design her own undergrad curriculum and included study of ceramics. Today, at the Teton Arts Council ceramics studio, Erin pursues this passion. Also, she continues her lifelong passion of music everyday. She wants to offer what she has learned and seeks to learn more so she may have more to offer. Erin is also CPR certified for the infant, child and adult.
Erin can be reached at lil_elively@hotmail.com
Nate GastonCamp Counselor
Nate is from Ashland, Oregon. He moved East to attend Cornell University where he graduated with degrees in History and Biology. Nate has lived in Teton Valley since 2000. He has two children, Brayden and Holland, who both attend TVCS. Both Brayden and Holland were in August's class in preschool so Nate is very excited to be working with that age group again. In his free time he enjoys skiing, traveling, discussing current events and spending time with his kids.
Nate can be reached at nathangaston@aol.com
Tori HedermanCamp Counselor
Tori came to Teton Valley in the 1992 to work for the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) and went on to work for both Red Top Meadows (a residential treatment and therapeutic wilderness program for adolescent boys) and C Bar V Ranch (a state-funded special education school for 1st through 12 graders). Tori graduated from Boise State University with a certification in elementary education (K-8) with an endorsement in special education (K-12). She is dedicated to making learning fun, helping students overcome obstacles, and inspiring children to find their own path. She lives with her husband, Pete, and her daughters, Piper and Crosby, in Tetonia and enjoys out of valley experiences that involve the ocean.
Tori can be reached at tori@tetonvalleycommunityschool.com
Jacoby KeszeyCamp Counselor
Jacob grew up on a small farm in the rolling hills of Underhill, Vermont. His family raised a long list of farm critters - big and small - and grew a healthy garden every summer. Jacob found his love for the outdoors in the Green Mountains where he grew up hiking, backpacking, and skiing. Jacob studied Environmental Studies and Education at St. Lawrence University in upstate New York. He then spent some time in Kenya, learning about biodiversity conservation issues and sustainable agriculture. Jacob likes to be on the move and has been lucky enough to see much of the United States, do some research in India, and travel around other parts of East Africa, Europe, and Mexico. Jacob is now proud to be a Teton Valley resident and spends his free time in and around the Tetons.
Jacoby can be reached at jacobkeszey@gmail.com
Debra LoudenslagerCamp Counselor
Debbie moved to Teton Valley from Ohio in 2007 with her husband and one of her three sons to try out the ranching lifestyle. After a year of ranch work, she decided to return to her former career as an early childhood teacher and administrator, in which she had 15 years of experience. Debbie is a member and advocate for the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and believes that all children have a right to a high quality preschool experience, which includes diverse opportunities to learn and develop through exploration and play. Debbie holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education from the University of Cincinnati as well as masters level coursework. Horseback riding, reading, animal care, and nature are her other passions.
Debra can be reached at deb@tetonvalleycommunityschool.com
Nancy Van DykeCamp Counselor
Nancy first experienced the Tetons in the spring of 2006. She came to complete a year-long graduate program at the Teton Science Schools to pursue her passion for education and the environment. That led to a move to Laramie, Wyoming to complete a Masters degree in Natural Science. Last spring, Nancy was able to return to Teton Valley and has spent the past school year working as a paraprofessional with the Special Education department at Teton High School. She is now working with Slow Food in the Tetons and Full Circle Education as a program coordinator. This enables Nancy to pursue her interests in gardening, local food, and community while working with teachers in the realm of education. "I am so excited to be a part of TVCS! I plan to use the garden program as a central focus for camp days, connecting the micro-ecosystem we care for on school grounds to the diverse natural systems in and around Teton Valley. I look forward to exploring this beautiful place with a group of young adventurers!"
Nancy can be reached at nancy.vandyke@gmail.com
Jennifer WerlinCamp Counselor
Jen's interest in environmental and outdoor education stems from her diverse background in recreation, nonprofit management, and environmental science. Inspired by her surroundings in the Greater Yellowstone area, Jen infuses her curiosity and appreciation of the natural world and science into her teaching. Jen enjoys teaching people of all ages, but particularly enjoys teaching children. She has a M.S. in environmental science and graduate certificates in environmental education and restoration ecology from the University of Idaho. She is also a graduate of the McCall Outdoor Science School's Graduate Residency Program. She's worked as a naturalist and biological science and natural resources technician, and currently teaches yoga part-time in Jackson and Victor. Her hobbies include gardening, knitting, triathlons, Nordic skiing, and playing with her two dogs.
Jennifer can be reached at farley.jen@gmail.com
Alena McIntoshCounselor in Training
Alena has been a student at TVCS since she was in Kindergarten and is now entering 8th grade. Alena loves to work with younger children and is very excited to be helping out with the Preschool Campers. Alena loves to play soccer and spend time with her family.
Alena can be reached at info@tetonvalleycommunityschool.com