Experience

The Shlenker School

• United States
• Education
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Science Specialist

  • Aug 2015 - Present

  Responsible for teaching students in PreK-4 through 5th grade the wonders of physical science, earth science and life science utilizing both the indoor classroom laboratory and the outdoor classroom BackYard habitat. Responsible for teaching students in PreK-4 through 5th grade the wonders of physical science, earth science and life science utilizing both the indoor classroom laboratory and the outdoor classroom BackYard habitat.



Houston Arboretum & Nature Center

• Adult Programs Director

  • Jul 2013 - Jun 2015

  Responsible for Arboretum’s adult programs development efforts as a nature education & conservation organization. Provide administrative & strategic oversight for developing, coordinating & implementing new educational programs for adults. Responsible for fostering partnerships with other organizations in development process for new programs, outreach & special events. Work with staff to develop & implement new program avenues including funds development planning, information management, financial administration & fiscal reporting. Work closely with & report directly to Associate Director.Primary Responsibilities•Plan, develop, coordinate & evaluate adult programs for presentation on & off site. •Recruit, hire, directly supervise, monitor & evaluate performance of qualified instructors.•Develop evaluation tools for curriculum and programs, including participant evaluation surveys & attendance data.•Develop, implement & monitor annual budgets for adult programs with goal of cost neutral or better.•Develop promotions, special programs & events, outreach & other facets of interpretation.•Work with the Marketing/PR committee to create marketing, promotional & interpretive materials such as flyers, brochures, event calendars, training material & newsletter.•Organize both seasonal & 1-day only native plant sales including research on dependable sources, appropriate species, competitive prices & best practices of other sites.•Plan & conduct adult workshops & classes on sustainable gardening practices, landscaping with native plants, wildlife habitat requirements & tree identification.Other Responsibilities: •Respond to questions from visitors related to local flora & fauna in person, by phone & via email.•Plan & conduct adult day-time tours for special groups & night-time hikes for members. •Serve as staff liaison to VIP renters whose rental closes the entire grounds to staff & public.•Assist with setups for fundraising, special events & open house events.

• Director of Conservation

  • Aug 2006 - Jun 2013

  Led the Conservation Team in the implementation of the Conservation Management Plan to protect and enhance the Arboretum’s 155-acre grounds, 5 miles of trails and 14,000 SF building. Under the direct supervision of the Executive Director, worked on multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities and maintained schedules to meet obligatory deadlines. Shared responsibilities with the Executive Director for the management of the Conservation Team in regard to the grounds budget, staff work schedules, native habitat restoration, exotic and invasive species control, infrastructure maintenance, visitor safety and public/volunteer interaction. As a member of the Building & Grounds Committee of the Board of Directors, developed cooperative relationships with key constituencies including mission-aligned non-profit organizations, civic community groups and public agencies to achieve the defined conservation goals and objectives of the Nature Center.



Urban Harvest

• Project Manager

  • Oct 2004 - Jul 2007

  Developed, implemented and managed 16 outdoor classrooms at HISD Elementary & Middle Schools, including design, installation and maintenance of vegetable gardens, fruit orchards, butterfly gardens, pollinator gardens, ponds, bogs and rain gardens, fences, seating areas, decks and storage sheds. Taught gardening skills and environmental stewardship at Janowski ES. Urban Harvest - Great Organization! Great Mission! Developed, implemented and managed 16 outdoor classrooms at HISD Elementary & Middle Schools, including design, installation and maintenance of vegetable gardens, fruit orchards, butterfly gardens, pollinator gardens, ponds, bogs and rain gardens, fences, seating areas, decks and storage sheds. Taught gardening skills and environmental stewardship at Janowski ES. Urban Harvest - Great Organization! Great Mission!



UT School of Public Health

• Asst. Project Manager

  • Jan 2001 - Apr 2003

  Assisted in the management of ALL-HAT, the largest NIH-funded clinical trial to compare all 4 classes of blood pressure regulators, by following up on the vital status and event outcomes of 54,000 patients enrolled during the 8-year study. Interesting project & co-workers - but I do not miss the windowless environment & cubicle-land maze! Assisted in the management of ALL-HAT, the largest NIH-funded clinical trial to compare all 4 classes of blood pressure regulators, by following up on the vital status and event outcomes of 54,000 patients enrolled during the 8-year study. Interesting project & co-workers - but I do not miss the windowless environment & cubicle-land maze!



Energy Biosystems

• Research Associate

  • Jan 1997 - Jan 2001

  Managed molecular biology department projects to clone and over-express bacterial genes involved in selective removal of sulfur atoms from hydrocarbons in sour crude diesel without degrading fuel value. Start-up company funded by Petrolite during Clinton-era EPA mandate to reduce road diesel to below 150 ppm. Company investors pulled out after Bush-era EPA dropped mandate - company went bankrupt. Miss Friday afternoon beer bust & ping-pong games... Managed molecular biology department projects to clone and over-express bacterial genes involved in selective removal of sulfur atoms from hydrocarbons in sour crude diesel without degrading fuel value. Start-up company funded by Petrolite during Clinton-era EPA mandate to reduce road diesel to below 150 ppm. Company investors pulled out after Bush-era EPA dropped mandate - company went bankrupt. Miss Friday afternoon beer bust & ping-pong games...