About WAEE
Board of Directors Biographies
Cassie
Bauer
As a recent graduate of UW-Stevens Point, with a BS in
Environmental Education and Interpretation, I am eager to
contribute to the EE field. During college I was the president
of the UWSP chapter of NAI-EENA (environmental educators and
naturalists association). I also served as a student board
member of WAEE during the 2007/2008 school year. It is my life’s
passion to foster the discovery of connections between the
surrounding environment and people’s daily lives. I believe that
everyone can benefit an increased environmental awareness. It is
my goal to work closely with nature centers, educators, and
students that may not be familiar with WAEE as an organization,
as a support system, and as a reliable resource for EE material.
Katie
Boseo
I am currently pursuing my Master’s in Environmental Education and Interpretation at UW-Stevens Point. I also received my undergraduate degree from UWSP in Communication and a double minor in Environmental Studies and Environmental and Science Writing. Prior to returning to Stevens Point, I worked as a naturalist at a DNR fisheries educating children and adults about fisheries and natural resources. I also worked for UW-Extension as a marketing coordinator for a program that provided training for teachers and childcare providers in setting up school gardens. I had the great experience of recruiting and teaching educators about the benefits of school gardens and locally grown foods for children. In order to protect and appreciate our natural resources, youth and adults alike must first be aware and educated about it.
Amy
Jo Dusick
I have a BS in Natural Resources and am pursuing a MS in
Environment and Resources at the Nelson Institute for
Environmental Studies at UW-Madison. Although many of my early
environmental pursuits were solitary, I have found a sense of
community and diverse knowledge by interacting with others
within the natural environment. I have facilitated
community-based restoration work and individual undergraduate
projects, focusing on invasive species management, slope erosion
mitigation, local educational topics, and urban garden
infrastructure. I value the integration of science education and
environmental stewardship as an essential combination for
maintaining a sustainable, responsible coexistence not only with
our landscapes, but with each other.
Abbie
Enlund
I am currently a part time naturalist at the Aldo Leopold
Nature Center and a stay at home mom. I have recently become
even more passionate about early environmental education and
have started a new project with my daughters, Samantha and
Avery. I write a
daily blog about infant and toddler environmental education
where we describe activities, crafts, books, games, movies, and
of course outdoor adventures that can help parents and teachers
get very young children learning and appreciating nature. I have
a masters in EE and Interpretation from UWSP and have worked in
EE for over 12 years now. I am honored and excited to be a part
of the Board of Directors.
Sara
Krauskopf
I have truly been involved in EE my whole life. I started as a student hiking and camping with family and friends, then became a camp counselor, provided rain forest tours in Costa Rica, worked as a high school teacher for 11 years, and now am an educator on sustainable biofuels. Environmental education and sustainable living is infused in everything I do and I strive to imbed it into my teaching even when it isn’t recognized as part of the program. Being aware of your connection to the world around you and how your choices impact the world along with a recognition of economics, social situations, politics, culture and science are all part of my EE philosophy.
Karla Lockman
I currently teach at the Stevens Point Area Senior High where I enjoy helping 10th graders learn about and appreciate Biology. I also teach an online course at UW-SP “NRES: 610 Teaching About the Environment Outdoors.” My undergraduate work was at UW-Madison in Zoology and Biological Aspects of Conservation. My emphases included Wildlife Ecology and Curriculum Instruction. I have a Master's in Natural Resources-Environmental Education from UW-Stevens Point. My personal teaching philosophy combines outdoor and environmental education as a way to learn through experience. Spending time outdoors and having a positive and enthusiastic role model will increase learners’ empathy towards the environment or environmental sensitivity. The outdoors has no walls and the learning possibilities are endless.
Renae
Prell-Mitchell
I hold a BS in environmental education from UW-Green Bay, an MA in environmental geography/geomorphology and a Ph.D. in cultural ecology from UW-Milwaukee. I have worked in EE for over 30 years in camps, parks, living history museums, the Peace Corps, land trusts, schools, and colleges. I’ve taught teachers, recreation leaders, and interpreters techniques to educate others in a variety of settings throughout WI, IL, NC, and Latin America. I am transitioning from being a professor of outdoor education to becoming an independent naturalist/writer and organic farmer/educator. Credibility, integrity, goodwill, and maintaining a sense of wonder are my guiding principles. I try to relate my teachings to my audience and encourage them to think globally and act locally.
Susan
Schuller
Growing up I enjoyed camping, but for the most part, my passion for environmental education exploded as an undergraduate at UW-Stevens Point. I graduated, went into Peace Corps, and learned about the world from a village in the Tanzanian bush. Enlightened, I returned to the States and continued to teach, or more accurately, learn from elementary students. I now work at my alma mater in the WI Center for EE & have received my MS in EE. My job allows me to work on different statewide initiatives from developing international EE programs, managing and evaluating EE resources, instructing professional development opportunities, and developing an Education for Sustainability initiative for WI. Next stop…motherhood. I now get to gain a new perspective through the eyes of my child.
Joan
Voigt
I have always been passionate about nature and our
impact on the environment. I have taught in non-traditional
settings at youth camps, summer recreation programs, and after school programs. I enjoy showing children
and adults how to make connections with the natural world
through EE. My current position is
naturalist guide at the Wild Rose Fish Hatchery Education
Center. You will also find me leading tours as a guide for the
Aldo Leopold Foundation in Baraboo at the historic Leopold Shack
and new “green” Legacy Center. I studied natural resources at UW-Stevens Point and a major in
communication with an emphasis in public relations.
Environmental awareness and encouraging individuals and
communities to lessen their environmental impact continues to be
my passion so future generations have an opportunity to enjoy
nature.
Foghorn
Leghorn
I showed up at a WAEE auction many years ago. The WAEE members took a liking to me and I have been on many adventures over the years. Each year I return to the fundraising auction held at the annual fall conference. I am lovingly adopted by a nature center, student group, or EE site somewhere around the state where I spend the next year visiting with nature lovers of all ages. Don't miss my slide presentation at the next fall conference if you want to learn how I spent my time this year. Taking me home is a great way to invest in your statewide professional organization!