Specialists

 

Erin Dowling
After School Program Coordinator

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



Erika Eschholtz
Farm and Garden

Erika grew up gardening and surrounded by farmland in rural New England. She received a BA from Hope College, MI in 1990 and a MS in Environmental Education from Aurora University, IL in 1992. She has been working with a broad range of ages in outdoor and environmental education since. Erika has been involved with local organic farming for the past 10 years with The Cosmic Apple Garden and currently Snowdrift Farm. Erika feels it is wonderful to share the joys of growing ones own food with the children and inspiring them to live more sustainably in their daily life. In 2006 she founded a garden education program sponsored by Teton Valley Community School called Full Circle Education.

Erika can be reached at erika68@silverstar.com



Rose Hendricks
Spanish

Rose has been learning and studying Spanish for most of her life, and has lived and travelled extensively in South America. She loves the music of Spanish as well as the different perspectives that learning another language provides. Rose has taught in Ecuador and Teton Valley and her fulfillment in teaching comes from witnessing students' satisfaction in their achievements.

Rose can be reached at



Jacoby Keszey
Outdoor Education

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



Susan Sargent
Music

Susan was born and raised in Idaho. She then moved east to attend Gonzaga University where she obtained a Bachelor’s in Psychology. She later earned her teaching certification and began teaching Special Education in 1980. After receiving an endorsement to her certification in Music, Susan began teaching both Special Education and Music for Kindergarten – 12th grade. Susan has spent the last thirteen years teaching Music, Special Education, Psychology, Band and Choir abroad in Germany, Ethiopia, Egypt, China, Japan and Syria. In her free time Susan enjoys playing piano, flute, singing and travel.

Susan can be reached at silverswan08@gmail.com



Nancy Van Dyke
Farm and Garden

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