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 Sue Thomas taught high school science before returning to graduate school for an MS in Plant Genetics. She volunteered one day a week at Hoyt Arboretum, Leach Botanical Garden, and Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden. Within a year, she was offered a job at the Arboretum organizing volunteers, developing education programs, and raising funds. Twenty years later, the partnership with Hoyt Arboretum Friends group was strong, so PP&R requested that a citywide environmental education program be developed beginning in 2001. She believes that lifelong learning is important and, as part of her job, encourages people of all ages to observe and theorize about urban nature phenomenon. |
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 Erin Flanagan (Makai)
Nuts About Nature teacher, Nature Day Camp Teacher
has been involved with the PP&R Environmental Education program since she was a camper at Summer Nature Day Camp at age 5! She is studying for a nursing degree with a minor in sociology at Portland State University. She is a teacher with our Nuts About Nature program. In the future, Erin anticipates traveling and working with medical relief efforts abroad.
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 Brandon Lampkin (Rush) has a true passion for alternative learning for students of all ages. His experience with environmental education started in 2002 as a student leader for the Multnomah County Outdoor School program. With Outdoor School he served as a field instructor, program leader, and special needs coordinator. In 2007 Rush became a lead teacher for PP&R. In 2010 he became a Summer Nature Camp coordinator. He has found his niche in showing youngsters how powerful the natural world can be through enthusiastic teaching and high energy recreation. When he is not working, you might find Brandon playing Settlers of Catan with friends or watching professional wrestling. |
 Chrissy Larson (Balsam) holds an MA in Environmental Education with a concentration in Early Childhood. Since 1997, she has worked at residential camps, nature centers, and elementary schools throughout the country. For the last eight years, she has primarily focused on young children, studying the effects of unstructured play in nature and creating programs that help children connect to natural areas. She is currently the lead teacher and creator of the Nuts About Nature program. In her free time, Chrissy enjoys playing the guitar, biking, hiking, and walking her dog, Morton. |
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 Kelly Simpson Rosteck
Teen Program Coordinator
During her years as a middle school science teacher in Washington, D.C., she realized that many students learn better outside, where science is fun, meaningful and hands-on. So she made a career switch to Environmental Education. She has a B.S. in Environmental Science, a M.A.T. in Secondary Science Education, and is proficient in Spanish. Her favorite things in nature include mushrooms, slugs, bugs and things that fly!
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 Yoko Silk (Cricket)
Jr. GRUNT Program Leader, T.E.A. Trip Leader & More!
Yoko has been a youth mentor and outdoor educator for over a decade. When not leading the JR. Grunt Program or guiding backpacking trips for teens she can be found playing the Cello, traveling the world, snowboarding, or juggling anything she can find. Yoko is an active Wilderness First Responder.
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| Cole Robinson Teen Environmental Adventures (T.E.A.) Program Leader
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 Elvira Muniz Stenson (Wren) received her MA from the University of Minnesota in Outdoor Education/Recreation; her BS is from Virginia Tech in Natural Resource Recreation. She has been leading groups outdoors for over a decade, completed Metro's Nature University in 2008, and has kept her Wilderness First Responder updated since 2001. She loves getting around Portland via bike. When she's not working, Elvira can be found knitting, doing yoga or birdwatching. |
