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FBES Ecology Educators
FBES is enormously proud of our teaching staff. We hire 16 Ecology Educators each fall and spring, including graduates and undergraduates from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences, including the natural sciences, humanities and education. We've also partnered with EarthCorps, an AmeriCorps affiliate, which provides environmental service and conservation opportunities to emerging environmental leaders from more than 60 countries.
Our educators are hired for their enthusiasm, energy, and past experience working with children. All staff receives background checks and extensive training in the art and method of teaching children in the out-of-doors. Check out below to find out more about our current educators.
Spring 2013 Educators
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Robert Barton (Virginia Beach, VA) - BA (2010) in English from the University of Virginia. As a seasoned environmental educator, Robbie has taught all over the United States and especially enjoys pointing out constellations in the night sky. He enjoys being in the outdoors, whether running, hiking, biking, camping or teaching a gaggle of curious kids. His past experiences include a trip through Death Valley, bear dodging in Yellowstone, working at a local CSA and volunteer teaching abroad in India. In his free time, he likes to write and play ultimate frisbee. Robbie is looking forward to getting down on his belly to identify all the critters that are hiding around Saco Bay with his FBES groups this Spring!
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Althea Brown (Portland, ME) - BA (2011) in Biology from Earlham College. Althea loves trees, backpacking, berry-picking, laughing in kitchens and the Maine coast. Previously, she coordinated wilderness trips for elementary and middle school girls in one of her other favorite places, the woods of Central Vermont, and interned in the greenhouse at the Children's Museum and Theater of Maine, growing vegetables and herbs in their small urban garden. Although the locations have varied, she mostly just keeps playing in the woods and the dirt and the tide pools with kids. She's excited to be returning to FBES for her second term.
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Evan Elderbrock (Madison, WI) – BA (2012) in Geology from Macalester College in Saint Paul, MN. Evan loves to explore all types of environments: desert, reef, boreal forest, rainforest, you name it. He is always eager to unravel the biological and geological mysteries held within each unique landscape. You will find that Evan often needs to stretch his legs by playing any number of sports or going for a hike, bike ride or paddle. When the weather is just right, Evan really enjoys cooking a great meal sitting around chatting with friends. Evan is thrilled to be returning to the FBES community this spring!
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Sara Gabrielson (Hillsborough, NC) – BA (2012) in Environmental Studies with a concentration in Ecology from Vassar College. Having grown up in a family that moved and traveled quite a bit, Sara is happy to call North Carolina home and feel grounded there. She grew up spending summers in the Pacific Northwest exploring tide pools and building driftwood forts. She enjoys spending time in the forest on walks or identifying plants, and is particularly interested in the impact of invasive species on forests. When she is not outside discovering, you might find her reading fantasy books, crocheting, relaxing on her porch in the rocking chair or going for a swim. Sara is thrilled to be returning to FBES this spring to learn, teach, and learn some more!
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Laura Heil (Hudson Falls, NY) – BS (2010) in Biology with a minor in Spanish from Saint Michael’s College in Vermont. Born and raised in northeastern New York, Laura spent much of her childhood exploring the woods of the Adirondacks. Amazed by the beauty of creatures like bees, grasshoppers, and frogs she became an ecology enthusiast at a very young age. After briefly living and studying in Costa Rica, she developed a passion for the glorious plant kingdom. Since then she has become enthralled by plant-insect interactions with specific interests in the effects of climate change on pollination ecology. She enjoys examining insects through microscopes, hiking slowly through forests, skiing through fresh snow in the woods, eating fresh food, laughing deeply and making music with friends. After already completing two terms, she is ecstatic about returning to FBES for another adventure.
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Lindsay Lang (Chapel Hill, NC) - BS (2012) in Biochemistry from the University of North Carolina. Lindsay's childhood was spent enjoying the fields, forests and swimming pools of Piedmont, North Carolina. Although she spent much time in college studying chemical science on a very small scale, she loves getting outside into the beauty of the great, big world. Other favorite pastimes include playing ultimate frisbee and sand volleyball, stargazing, baking and cozying up with a good book. After spending a semester as an RA at Coastal Studies for Girls by the salt marsh on Wolfe's Neck, Lindsay is excited to explore the coastal waters and ecosystems surrounding FBES!
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Robert Little (Auburn, ME) - BA (2012) in Environmental studies with a minor in Teacher Education from Bates College. Rob's passion for environmental documentary brought him to film conservation struggles in Borneo for two months and later lead him to intern at National Geographic Television in 2011. When he is not filming or teaching, he is often nerding-out reading a book about animals or dragons. Rob enjoys playing board games with his friends, rock climbing, karate, sailing and canoeing. If there is one thing Rob would like to do more of, it is be outside with others. He spends plenty of time hiking, camping, canoeing and filming wildlife outside alone, but it's much more fun to share the experience and that is why he cannot wait to get started at Ferry Beach and see what each day holds for him and his students.
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Brooke Lukensmeyer (Hampton, IA) – MS (2011) in Experiential Education from Minnesota State University and BS (2010) in Outdoor education from the University of Minnesota. Brooke's love of the outdoors and adventurous spirit have led her to many exciting places. After her graduation, Brooke taught environmental and outdoor education on Maryland's eastern shore and sailed for two summers aboard the schooners Harvey Gamage and Spirit of Massachusetts, where she discovered her love of sailing while teaching marine science. Most recently, she lived in Costa Rica for five months, teaching outdoor education at a therapeutic boarding school. In her free time, Brooke can be found exploring outdoors, lounging in her hammock or playing the guitar. Although she grew up in Iowa she has considered Maine her home since her first backpacking trip to Mt Katahdin when she was 8 years old, and she is excited to begin a new adventure with FBES.
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Deborah Lyon (Canandaigua, NY) – BS (1986) in Civil Engineering from Virginia Tech and AAS (2007) in natural resources conservation from Finger Lakes Community College. Debbie is a civil engineer-turned-environmental educator. She spent a year volunteering at an orphanage in Guatemala and two years teaching elementary school in Belize. Debbie is a tri-athlete who enjoys canoeing and kayaking. She loves music, especially singing and playing guitar. She is looking forward to joining the FBES team.
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Lucy Miner (Seattle, WA) – BA (2012) in Geology from Macalester College in Minnesota. Hailing from the Pacific Northwest, Lucy has always thrived in outdoor settings. Her passions for being active and exploring science by getting her hands dirty has drawn her to travel and study in the Colorado Rockies, New Zealand and Alaska in the past couple years. When she's not playing soccer, hiking or running, she loves to laugh, cook, balance on a slack line and play games with friends. Lucy is looking forward to her second term at FBES.
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James Prendergast (Willow Grove, PA) – BS (2010) in Environmental Studies at the University of Vermont. James grew up in the Philadelphia area, but has been living a happily mobile life for a few years. His work as an environmental educator has taken him to the rocky coast of Maine, the rugged forests of northern California and lots of stunning landscapes in between. James believes that healthy food and good friends mix well to make happy days. His favorite activities include camping, climbing, kayaking, creating art, cooking curries, collecting his thoughts in his hammock and coasting along to new adventures! James is looking forward to his third term at FBES.
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Maggie Samen (Lexington, MA) – BA (2010) in Anthropology from Wheaton College. Maggie has taught environmental education in Massachusetts, Texas and Pennsylvania. She is a huge food lover who enjoys everything from growing, shopping to cooking it! She loves all types of games, but the two she is best at ar e Taboo and Settlers of Catan. She enjoys rock climbing and all types of kayaking, although her favorite is white water!
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Kyle Roddy (Saranac Lake, NY) -BA (2012) in Biology from Macalester College. Kyle loves to spend his time outside no matter where he is or what the season. He always ready to go exploring using a canoe, bicycle, scuba tank, hiking boots or snowshoes. The best kind of adventure, says Kyle, are those that you share with friends, and you'll rarely find him without company. He aspires to travel the world and explore as many different ecosystems as possible and investigate their mysteries through the lens of science. Kyle is very excited to share his enthusiasm for nature returning to Ferry Beach this spring!
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Emma Stuhl (Bedford, MA) – BA (2010) in History from Cornell University, Emma loves dancing, running, biking and outdoor adventures in general, but especially enjoys doing these activities while smiling. Some of Emma’s other favorite pastimes include eating colorful vegetables, laughs that come from deep in her stomach and sunsets. After having spent several years living inland, Emma is extremely excited to get back in touch (literally) with the coast for her third season at Ferry Beach.
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Walker Trent (Cedar Bluff, VA)- BS (2011) in Environmental Science from Emory and Henry College in Virginia. Walker loves to walk; he walks in the woods, on the beach and through the fields. He is always amazed at how different every walk can be. If you are outside with him he may try to predict the weather by listening to the song of a cardinal. When he is not walking he will be fishing, reading or playing guitar. As far as food goes, he usually eats things like sardines or honey because he does not like to cook. Walker is extremely excited to be a part of the FBES and is looking forward to teaching!
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Andy Wood (Outreach Specialist) (Keene, NH) – BA (2011) in Spanish from Bates College. Andy likes to ride bikes, play music, drink coffee, cook and eat delicious food and explore the woods of New England. He has made a living by teaching, monitoring endangered shorebirds, growing cacti and leading backpacking trips through the North Woods. Andy loves Maine and is excited to return to FBES and its compost pile for a third season.
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Diane LaPointe (Registered Nurse)(Old Orchard Beach, ME)—Diane has been a nurse since 1971. She loves walks on the beach, riding her bike, cross country skiing, reading and photography. Diane can often be found singing and/or dancing. She has been an OR nurse and recently fell in love with camp nursing. She is really looking forward to returning the FBES team for her fifth term.
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Rich O'Brien,
Proprietor, Pangea Food Service
Rich is from Hull, Massachusetts and is a master in the kitchen. He's has a long history with Ferry Beach and he and his staff have been providing delicious and nutritious meals in our dining hall since 1999! When he's not cooking, Rich enjoys his hobbies — traveling and scuba diving. Rich often incorporates inspirations from his travels into the meals he cooks at FBES!
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Now Hiring
for Fall 2013 Term!
FBES is currently accepting Ecology Educator applications for the September 2nd – mid November term. Please see position description for more details.
To apply, please send application, cover letter and resume to Alex Grindle. Email: alex@fbes.org
Snail mail: 8 Morris Ave, Building 1, Saco, ME 04072 or fax: (207) 391-6174.
Application as a PDF
Application as a Word Document
Please note, due to the volume of applications received we cannot respond to every application. Hiring is done on a rolling basis and continues until positions are filled.
FBES Directors
Ferry Beach Ecology School was founded in the fall of 1998 by Brad Bradway, Drew Dumsch and Steve Signell (former FBES Director of Staff & Curriculum and author of the FBES Teaching Guide). Together our administrators have more than 50 years experience, and share a passion for teaching and creating effective, innovative environmental education programs.
Drew Dumsch,
Executive Director

(Saco, ME) – MA (1993) University of Tennessee, BA (1990) Kalamazoo College (both degrees in English). Drew worked as a naturalist in California and Chicago and since 1991 has been an ecologist, naturalist and educator at Ferry Beach. He founded Ferry Beach Ecology School in 1998, is treasurer of the Maine Environmental Education Association (MEEA) and the New England Environmental Education Alliance (NEEEA). Drew is the affiliate representative to the North American Association of Environmental Education (NAAEE). When not working to advance the cause of ecology education, Drew spends his time with his wife, Lisa, and two daughters, Nia and Sophie, on the Nonesuch River behind their house.
Maureen Duggan,
Associate Director

(Portland, ME) – BA Broadcasting (1985), University of Maine at Orono. Maureen (Auntie Mo) grew up in Bangor and truly believes that Maine is the way life should be. Mo enjoyed a 20-year career in television as a producer, writer and director and then entered the non-profit world as a marketing specialist and development director. Mo joined Ferry Beach Ecology School in September 2009. She is responsible for promoting FBES and raising money for our fantastic programs. Mo loves history, theater and travel, but is happiest when spending time with nephews, Kameron and Riley, and seeing the wonders of the world through their eyes.
Alex Grindle,
Residential Program Director

(South Portland, ME) – BA (2001) in Environmental Studies & Politics from Oberlin College. Alex began her career at Ferry Beach in the spring of 2002 as a naturalist and stepped into an administrative position in January of 2004. At FBES, she is responsible for coordinating all aspects of the residential program and hiring and supervising the educators. She spends her summers at a camp on Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire. Some of the things she finds herself doing in her free time include: enjoying being outside in just about any capacity (particularly finding good cracking ice, swimming and gardening), reading (especially if it is young adult literature), tap dancing, diving head first into beginner beekeeping or cooking scrumptious meals with her husband, Peter.
Meg Edstrom,
Outreach Director

(Portland, ME) – MA (2004) in Elementary Education from the University of Maine. BA (2001) in Philosophy and Religion from Colgate University. Meg grew up in The Ocean State (RI) but is celebrating her 10 year anniversary with the state of Maine this year! Meg has taught in many settings; on mountains, along rivers, in the classroom and at the beach. When Meg is not eating almonds or cooking masterpieces in her crockpot she can be found swinging kettle bells, practicing Le Parkour in the urban jungle of Portland Maine and skiing down (or up) mountains. Meg started her career at FBES as a naturalist in the spring of 2007 and soon joined the FBES administrative team in the role of Outreach Director, coordinating SELU’s multi-year field trips and school visits, in addition to FBES’s summer and vacation camps. Meg can also be found dashing around in the FBES Prius, presenting FBES workshops and presentations at regional and national conferences.
John Ibsen,
Assistant Director
& Food For Thought Coordinator

(Alfred, ME) – BS (2007) in Environmental Studies and Forestry from the University of Vermont. As Assistant Director, he works with Alex to oversee the day to day operations of the Residential Program and coordinates the Food for Thought Program. He has blended his passion for forestry and woodworking as the proprietor of Quercus Woodworking which specializes in wooden spoons with a natural history. As a permaculture designer John enjoys finding solutions in problems to build more resilient and sustainable food systems and is currently working to make his home in Alfred a self-sustaining homestead.
Krysta Zambroski,
Lead Educator & Creative Director

(Alfred, ME) – BS (2007) in Environmental Studies with a focus in experiential education at the University of Vermont. After spending the first part of her life in the “other” two northern New England states, Krysta finally realized Maine is the way life should be. KAZ (as she is affectionately known) is our resident celebrity, having attended FBES first as an 8th grade student, then as a FBES naturalist and finally as a part of Team Admin. As Creative Director and Lead Educator, Krysta spends her time designing marketing pieces, managing the website, photographing lessons and teaching day programs. In her free time, KAZ likes to bake delicious treats, snuggle her cat Teddy and take walks in the woods behind her house.
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