Meet Our Educators

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CBF Education staff.

CBF Staff

Top Staff. Top Quality.

CBF educators are some of the best in their field. They have first-rate experience working at the largest environmental education program in North America. Meet them and see for yourself why they are leaders in the industry.

Focus

The focus of environmental education at CBF is to instill in all participants a sense of responsibility, ownership, and stewardship toward the Chesapeake Bay, its tributaries, and all of the watershed's inhabitants.  CBF's education programs educate teachers and students through a learning pathway of interrelated components, including one and multi-day field experiences, student leadership and action, and the teacher training program, Chesapeake Classrooms.

Safety & Certification

We are committed to the safety of all our participants. All CBF facilities and equipment are continuously inspected and maintained to the highest standard. Our CBF vessels are inspected by the U.S. Coast Guard and all CBF captains hold a U.S. Coast Guard license. We ensure that our educators have professional certifications and annual training to lead safe education programs. Our educators receive the following certifications:

  • Wilderness First Responder 
  • CPR
  • American Canoe Association River Canoe Day Trip Leading
  • Boater Safety

Staff

Vice President of Education—Tom Ackerman 

Operations

Director of Education Operations—Paul Willey
Associate Director of Education Operations for Recruitment & Development—Claire Jaeger
Associate Director of Education Operations for Finance & Scheduling—Jo Shallcross
Manager of Education Operations—Caitlin Youngk
Education Operations Coordinator—Liz Gray
Education Operations Assistasnt—Becca Porter

Professional Learning Team

Director of Professional Learning—Karen Mullin 
Professional Learning Coordinator—Erin O'Neal
Virginia Professional Learning Coordinator—Cindy Duncan
Pennsylvania Education Outreach Coordinator—Jennifer Peglow
Baltimore DC Education Outreach Coordinator—Lejae Woolcock
Education Engagement Coordinator—Kathlean Davis 
Professional Learning Team Assistant —Liz Yocom

Student Leadership Team

Pennsylvania Student Leadership Coordinator—Kassie Fenn
Virginia Student Leadership Coordinator—Rick Mittler
Maryland Student Leadership Coordinator—Jocelyn Tuttle

Program Educators

Director of Education Field Programs and Student Leadership—Deidra Floyd
Field Senior Manager for DC, MD, PA—Dave Gelenter
Virginia Field Senior Manager—Ken Slazyk
Islands Field Senior Manager—Morgan Jones
Island General Manager/Captain/Educator—George "Cook" Cannon

ARTHUR SHERWOOD

Arthur Sherwood Environmental Education Program—Tiffany Granberg
Arthur Sherwood Environmental Education Program—Shawn Ridgely

BALTIMORE HARBOR

Baltimore Harbor Environmental Education Program—Ben Carver
Baltimore Harbor Environmental Education Program—Jess Jenkins

HAMPTON ROADS

Hampton Roads Environmental Education Program—Jimmy Sollner
Hampton Roads Environmental Education Program—Josh Gilliand

JAMES RIVER

James River Environmental Education Program—Caleigh Remocaldo
James River Environmental Education Program—Aaron Bouchard

KAREN NOONAN

Karen Noonan Memorial Environmental Education Program—Doug Walters
Karen Noonan Memorial Environmental Education Program—Shayla Keller
Karen Noonan Memorial Environmental Education Program—Robert Reynolds

MARYLAND RIVERS & STREAMS

Maryland Rivers and Streams Environmental Education Program—Emma Paul
Maryland Rivers and Streams Environmental Education Program—Sarah Ferguson

PENNSYLVANIA RIVERS & STREAMS

Pennsylvania Rivers and Streams Environmental Education Program—Katie Brittingham
Pennsylvania Rivers and Streams Environmental Education ProgramAdaiah Bauer 

PHILIP MERRILL

Philip Merrill Environmental Education Program—Kris Belessis
Philip Merrill Environmental Education Program—Lauren Guzman

PORT ISOBEL

Port Isobel East Environmental Education Program—Jeff Varnon
Port Isobel East Environmental Education Program—Caroline Jackson
Port Isobel East Environmental Education Program—Vanessa Moses

POTOMAC RIVER

Potomac River Environmental Education Program—Damien Gibbons
Potomac River Environmental Education Program—Ochae Bynum

SMITH ISLAND

Smith Island Environmental Education Program—Jessie Marsh
Smith Island Environmental Education Program—Lucas Scott
Smith Island Environmental Education Program—Rachel Muth

VIRGINIA RIVERS & STREAMS EAST

Virginia Rivers & Streams East Environmental Education Program—Julia Carson
Virginia Rivers & Streams East Environmental Education Program—Amanda Deans

VIRGINIA RIVERS & STREAMS WEST

Virginia Rivers & Streams West Environmental Education Program—Brooke Newton
Virginia Rivers & Streams West Environmental Education Program—Sumner Askin

The Bay Needs You

The State of the Bay Report makes it clear that the Bay needs our support now more than ever. Your donation helps the Chesapeake Bay Foundation maintain our momentum toward a restored Bay, rivers, and streams for today and generations to come.

Donate Today

Volunteer

Do you enjoy working with others to help clean the Chesapeake Bay? Do you have a few hours to spare? Whether growing oysters, planting trees, or advocating for a clean Bay, there are plenty of ways you can contribute.

Volunteer
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