The Powerful Choices for the Environment Facilitator Biographies
Jessica Aronson, B.A., M.Ed., Program Manager
Jessica earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Princeton University in 1998 and a Master of Education, with a focus in secondary science education, from Harvard University in 2003. Jessica has taught science and math at a variety of middle and high schools for the past seven years. She taught math, environmental science, and biology at a small, residential high school for emotionally troubled teenagers in Cambridge, MA, and she taught math and physics at an urban public charter high school in Boston, MA. She also worked as a park ranger and environmental educator at Canyonlands National Park in Utah, where she facilitated workshops relating to the natural resources of the park for elementary school students and the public. Jessica loves making connections with students while engaging them in hands-on science education. She has been with the Powerful Choices team since November, 2004.
Joshua Mitchell, B. A., Facilitator
Josh earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Health Education from Luther College in Iowa in 2001. Since graduation, Josh has spent time working in various educational situations with all ages of children. Josh worked as a high school special education teacher in West Liberty, IA. He spent summers working for the University of Iowa's environmental education camp in Iowa City, IA, where he facilitated outdoor activities and lessons for 4th through 6th graders. While in college, Josh started and managed a tree farm in northeast Iowa. Josh feels privileged to have the opportunity to work closely with today's students, teaching them values that will have an influence on tomorrow's environment. Josh joined the Powerful Choices team in September, 2005.
Lynne Dial, B.A., Facilitator
Lynne earned a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Planning and Policy in 2006 from Western Washington University, with a minor in Environmental Education. For two years, Lynne worked as the weekend events coordinator for the National Zoo, where she led environmental education programs for children's birthday parties and family campouts. Lynne also worked as a volunteer through Americorps, where she organized and facilitated environmental service-learning projects for local middle and high school classes. Lynne is excited to provide students with positive, empowering early learning experiences that will inspire a lifelong approach to stewardship. Lynne joined the Powerful Choices team in September 2006.
Jane Howard, B.S., M.Ed, Facilitator
Jane has a B.S. in Environmental Education and Art from Huxley College of Western Washington University, as well as a Masters in Natural Science/Science Education from Huxley. Jane has worked as a middle school science teacher on Vashon Island and on the Virgin Islands, and she has managed camps and field studies at the Pacific Science Center. Jane's entrepreneurial spirit led her to found the Island Institute (a summer family science camp) and an innovative "Science Challenges" program for students in the Virgin Islands. Jane has also brought her enthusiasm for energy efficiency to schools through an improvisational theater group. It is a paramount passion of Jane's to inspire an excitement for learning and to empower students to make a difference in our changing world.
Danny Grady, B.A., Facilitator
Danny earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Geology from Colgate University in 2001. Danny has taught science and environmental education to a variety of middle school students for the past three years. He taught middle school science at an independent school outside of New York City for two years before relocating to the Pacific Northwest. Danny earned a graduate certificate in Education, Environment, & Community from IslandWood, an environmental learning center located on Bainbridge Island, in 2006. At IslandWood, Danny taught a four-day residential environmental education program to Puget Sound area schools while taking graduate courses in curriculum & instruction. In addition to his experience in education, Danny has also worked as a geologist in Oregon and northern California, a renewable energy sales representative for a large public utility in Portland, Oregon, and a lacrosse coach for various high schools in New York, Oregon, and Washington. Danny looks forward to empowering students to make strong, lasting connections between themselves and their local environment & community. Danny has been with the Powerful Choices team since May 2008.
Jan Wee, B.A., M.Ed, Facilitator
Jan earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Northern Colorado and Master in Education from Northern Arizona University. She enjoyed 31 years of teaching elementary school for Tacoma Public Schools. She wrote and developed a science curriculum with a strong emphasis on understanding the relationship of various ecosystems in our environment. She has served as an education facilitator for Puget Sound Energy since 2004 presenting programs for classrooms and safety fairs. She has been a docent at the Museum of Glass for five years and was a presenter for its Science of Art program in 2007. Jan believes that Powerful Choices is a great opportunity to give students information that will empower them with the choices they face as members our world.
Katie Gell, B.A., Facilitator
Katie graduated with a Bachelor of the Arts in anthropology from the University of Michigan in 2004. Upon moving to Western Washington she volunteered for two years through Americorps. The first year she spent on riparian restoration crew where she learned hands-on about Western Washington ecology. The second year she worked as an educator at the Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research reserve, where she taught people of all ages about their connections to estuaries. Since then she has worked as an educator and interpreter for a variety of organizations including the North Cascades Institute, the Cedar River Watershed Education Center, Birch Bay State Park, and the Komo Kulshan Outdoor School. She delights in the questions and curiosity of young people and is excited to engage them in a fun and positive learning environment. Her aim is to empower students to have a positive impact on their ecosystems and communities.
Annie Stilts, B.A., Facilitator
Annie earned a B.A. in Environmental Education in 2005 from Huxley College of the Environment at Western Washington University. She continued on to work as an Education Assistant at the Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve for two years through Americorps. There, she put her previous knowledge of marine biology to work by leading school and family groups to explore the estuary. She was then hired as a teacher for the Komo Kulshan Outdoor School, a PSE-sponsored residential environmental education program and joined Powerful Choices in winter 2007. Annie loves working with children of all ages and is excited to be a part of Puget Sound Energy’s many education programs.
Teri Jahns, Classroom Scheduler
Teri has been working at Puget Sound Energy for the past 17 years. She has enjoyed working on various projects in Energy Efficiency Services, including customer rebates and community outreach. She has also participated in PSE’s Low-Income Weatherization program and Habitat for Humanity. For the past year, Teri has been scheduling schools, coordinating partner relationships, and organizing program supplies. Teri utilizes her organizational skills to keep the team on track!