Department of Teaching and Learning

Environmental Conservation Education

Alumni Profiles

 

Lee Frankel-Goldwater '11

The ECE degree at NYU allowed me to create my own educational experience. I have just recently completed a semester at the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies in Israel, living with Israelis, Palestinians, Jordanians, and other Americans studying peace, the environment, and regional issues. Currently, I am on a nearby kibbutz (cooperative) participating in a "Green Apprenticeship" learning about Permaculture and community living. This balance between academic and practical skills is exactly what I was looking for.

The experience and studies is a transitional one for me. After attaining a B.S. in computer science from the University of Rochester, where I also studied music at the Eastman School and traveled to China through a Take Five scholarship, I found that my true love was connected to my first job - summer camp counselor. The human relationship to the environment is central to addressing all of the great problems and dreams we face including hunger, energy, population, public health, and happiness. It is in this last realm that I hope to have the greatest impact, and that it might trickle into the other areas of need.

I'm working in Social Good Technology and Environmental Education, looking for ways to connect people together and create community that fosters health and global awareness.

My future goals are to write, experience, offer what I know, touch the minds of youth, and help heal the bodies of the sick - through raising the awareness that the state of our own well-being is directly connected to that of the world around us. Please follow me, and share your thoughts, at my site Adventures of a Wanderlust Yogi.

Jessica Brunacini

Jessica graduated from the Environmental Conservation Education program in May 2011.  During her time at NYU, she focused much of her attention on issues relating to sustainable development and climate change, including linkages with poverty, energy, and ecology.  While in the ECE program, Jessica had the opportunity to intern with the Population and Development Branch of the United Nations Population Fund, where she analyzed data, contributed to key publications, and undertook an update to the messaging, content and design of the organization’s climate change website.  Her final thesis research concentrated on the role of community-based climate change adaptation in the world’s least developed countries.

 Jessica’s career as an environmental educator began in 2008 with a position at the Brooklyn Center for the Urban Environment, where she taught pre-K – 3rd graders about various elements of the natural and built environments of New York City.  Since then, she has had the pleasure of working as an educator with the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy (BBPC), the City Parks Foundation’s Green Girls Summer Institute, and NYU’s own Go Green Summer Camp.

Currently, Jessica is working with Population Action International, helping to design and develop training materials for decision makers on the links between population dynamics and climate change.  She is also the program development coordinator for Lit!, a project started by a local high school student that provides solar lanterns to young school children living without electricity access in developing countries.  She continues to teach and develop curriculum with BBPC as well, which provides quality outdoor time at the Pier One park, one of her favorites spots in the city.   

Lindsay Downing '10

Interdisciplinary environmental studies and education have always embodied my professional and personal pursuits in life. As an undergraduate, I received a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology with an Environmental focus in 2008 from the University of California, Santa Barbara. The "environmental focus" consisted of two separate semesters spent in Patagonia, Chile and the Indian Himalayas doing environmental research and alternative energy education for sustainable mountain villages. After graduation, I worked at the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History and at the Channel Islands National Park Foundation. Yet, I still craved a better education within environmental education, politics, and justice, through the framework of non-governmental organizations and non-profits.

As an MA graduate in the Environmental Conservation Education Program, I interned within the United Nations Development Program: Climate Change Adaptation Team, Environment and Energy Group where I prepared communication materials for international briefings and finalized a paper on UNDP's adaptation portfolio. I also worked as a teacher assistant for a seventh grade science class at Tompkins Square Middle School where I gained a deeper perspective on environmental science and the role it plays in fostering environmental literacy in urban youth. During the summer I interned at the Cape Cod Commercial Hook Fisherman's Association in Chatham, Massachusetts as a policy analyst, working on finding sustainable fishing solutions for local commercial fisheries that keep the local economy and federal regulations at bay. In total, the ECE program was a perfect fit for me due to its interdisciplinary choices, as well as its strong emphasis on building critical professional experiences through independent studies and internships.

Since graduating last December 2010, I moved to Lake Tahoe, CA and got a job as an environmental consultant at Integrated Environmental Restoration Services, Inc. (www.IERStahoe.com) in Tahoe City, CA where I help mitigate sediment loading into the world's second largest alpine lake through erosion control methods and restoration techniques. I'm head technical editor/writer and a monitoring technician for the company. I also coach a competitive alpine race team at Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort part-time. The mountains are a much better fit for me than the city.

Rich Tesler '11

Prior to NYU I worked as a technology equity analyst primarily in the hedge fund industry. Through my investment research, I became interested in green technology, specifically, renewable energy and energy efficiency which led to the decision to go back to school and immerse myself in the environment. 

I chose NYU's Environmental Conservation Education program for three reasons. First, because it is interdisciplinary, which I thought would allow me to gain a broad knowledge in the field. Second, its flexibility, which I thought would give me the opportunity to follow personal interests. And third, I liked the education component, which differentiates NYU's program from other environmental study programs and I thought would allow me to learn and prepare me to teach others about the environmental field in either the classroom or the boardroom.

This past summer, I was awarded a fellowship with the Environmental Defense Fund. The fellowship matches environmentally minded students with corporations to help them "go green" by identifying potential energy efficiency projects. As part of my fellowship, I was asked to blog about my summer accomplishments (Big Shoes and Sustainable Strategy). This fellowship was the culmination of my Masters studies and I credit the professors, curriculum and encouragement of the ECE program for preparing me for a career in the environmental field.

I have an undergraduate business degree, an MBA and a CFA.

Issac Amad '10

I joined the ECE program in the Fall of 2008 and graduated in Spring 2010. One of the greatest aspects of the program for me was its interdisciplinary curriculum in allowing each student to form his or her own path relevant to their interests. Additionally, the guidance of the program advisors and faculty as well as the support of the small class size were a highlight for me. Some of my most memorable courses included Ecology at Black Rock Forest, Foundations of Environmental Thought, and Contemporary Environmental Debates. As with many of the other ECE courses, the latter two consisted primarily of in class discussions that fostered an environment for philosophical growth and an exchange of views, which I found to be highly inspirational, especially towards completing assignments and projects. A necessary component of the program requires students to complete an approved internship of their choice. I had the fantastic opportunity to work with the New York City Audubon Society along with two of my colleagues to develop and implement an environmental education program that reached out to local schools. A detailed description of what was accomplished can be found at: http://steinhardt.nyu.edu/teachlearn/environmental/student_work/audubon

As an undergraduate I received a B.A. in Economics in 2007 from George Mason University while also working as a patent paralegal in an intellectual properties law firm and an independent contractor at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History's herpetology department in Washington, D.C. Ironically, I disagreed with many of the views on environmentalism that economic theories can hold. After doing some research, I became interested in environmental initiatives which led me to apply to NYU's ECE Program. Currently, I work at NYU's Wasserman Center for Career Development and enjoy being a part of the NYU community as more than just a student. My hope is to remain in higher education, especially as related to environmental initiatives.

Andrea Monge '10 

Andrea graduated from the Environmental Conservation Education Program in January 2010. Before moving to NYC she obtained a BSc with a major in Marine Biology from James Cook University in Australia. Her work focused on sea turtle and cetacean research and conservation in Mexico, Spain, Australia and Costa Rica. She chose NYU's ECE masters program because it gives students a strong foundation through its core subjects, but at the same time it lets each person choose their own path by offering a vast amount of electives in different fields. This allowed Andrea to pursue her passion for Marine Biology through an internship with the Palau Mission for the United Nations, where she researched the state of tuna fisheries in the Western and Central Pacific. She was also able to complete a global fellowship at the Duke University Marine Lab and was trained in sea turtle genetics at the genomics lab of the American Museum of Natural History. In addition, she held a second internship with Rainforest Alliance where she could focus her work on Latin America, where she is originally from. Finally, she worked with Dr. Mary Leou to develop a sister-school environmental education program at a sea turtle nesting beach in the Mexican Pacific. Andrea will present the results from her study at the 30th International Sea Turtle Symposium in Goa, India in April 2010.  She has written education material for the Conservation Biology Program of the American Museum of Natural History, and is currently working for Havas Media in Barcelona, studying consumer preceptions of sustainability and how brands can improve their customer engagement. 

Mitchell Porcelan '10

Environmental education has been a focus in my life and thought for the past twenty years. I am a New York State certified 7th grade special education teacher at Middle School 51 in Park Slope, Brooklyn. For the past 9 years, my work at M.S. 51 (featured in the December '09 issue of Green Standard: Environmental Reporting in the New York metro area) has focused on the urban environmental system and the development of community centered ecological projects. The M.A. Environmental Conservation Education program at NYU has helped me build a strong foundation for the development of my educational philosophy which promotes cognitive, affective, and evaluative development that students need to learn on a daily basis. As part of my graduate work I have been interning with Livable Streets Education, a group that promotes healthy cities and sustainable communities.

I received a B.A. from the Maxwell School of Citizenship at Syracuse University which led me to develop an interest in understanding the human-nature relationship. I went on to complete a Master Naturalist certification program in collaboration with Colorado State University and the City of Fort Collins. In addition, I received a Certificate in Conservation Biology from the Center for Environmental Research and Conservation, Columbia University and studied in their summer fellowship program that focused on the Biodiversity of the Hudson River.

My work experiences include time as an environmental educator for the U.S. Forest Service in the Rio Grande National Park in Southwestern Colorado. Other experiences include teaching for the Central Park Conservancy, Brooklyn Center for the Urban Environment, NYPIRG, Greenpeace, the Front Range Natural Science School in Boulder, Colorado, and at the Discovery Science Museum in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Natalia Sanz de Santamaria '10

Natalia graduated from the ECE program in January 2010. Before coming into ECE, Natalia completed her undergraduate studies at Arcadia University in Biology with a concentration in Conservation Biology. Then, she worked for three years as an outdoor and environmental education instructor in an environmental organization in her home country Colombia. She enrolled in the ECE program at NYU because she wanted to gain more experience in education and have a better background in environmental studies to continue her work in Colombia.  The ECE program was a great alternative because it allowed her to explore different areas within the environmental and education fields. During her time at NYU Natalia completed an internship in the education department at the Rainforest Alliance and completed her final project on the effects of a 27-day outdoor education program in Ontario-Canada and the environmental attitudes of fourth graders from Colombia.

Natalia has returned to Colombia and will continue her work in outdoor and environmental education with a focus on urban environmental education.  The project she is involved with will include education components within current conservation and research programs in the country.

Marley Bauce '09

Marley graduated from the ECE program in May 2009 after spending two years concentrating in environmental philosophy and education, with his thesis on the philosophy of vegetarianism in childhood. During his time in the program, he held an internship and resulting research position at PS3 in New York's West Village. Before coming to NYU, Marley did a triple major in Education, Philosophy, and Environmental Studies at Hampshire College. Marley now works as the Awards Coordinator for the New York Academy of Science's Blavatnik Youth Science Awards. He is also an adjunct professor in the environmental studies and philosophy departments at NYU and Pace University, and is a managing intern for GreenAnswers.com. Marley is certified in Earth Science Education by the State of Massachusetts. He plans to go on to do a PhD program and has been accepted to the University of Wisconsin Madison. He currently has two essays under review by the Journal for Environmental Education and has co-prepared a list of Online Environmental Justice Resources with Dr. Wil Burns from the Santa Clara University School of Law.  

 Christine Coughlin '08

Christine graduated from the Environmental Conservation Education Program in May 2008. While in the program she had the opportunity to travel to Peru to study. She completed an internship with the New York State Department of Conservation Hudson River Estuary Program designing curriculum. Her culminating thesis project dealt with developing environmental professional development initiatives for classroom teachers.

Prior to attending NYU, Christine taught middle school for several years in Central Massachusetts, where she was able to see first hand the possibilities that exist in exceptional schools. She holds bachelors degrees in Psychology and Philosophy from Penn State.

Christine is currently pursuing her PhD in Science Education at NYU. Her primary research interest focuses on how environmental education can be most effectively incorporated into K-12 curricula in order to effect changes in student attitudes and behaviors.  She was recently awarded the Environmental Education Scholarship for Academic Study at the NAAEE Annual Conference in Buffalo. 

Daniel Carmeli '07

 A strong desire to travel and volunteer abroad prompted Dan Carmeli '07 to embark on a journey of self discovery this past spring, a decision that led him to India. His plan was simple: he would work for the Foundation for Ecological Security in Udaipur and enjoy the rich food and culture that he had appreciated from afar. What came to pass was truly unexpected and offered so much more.

A native of Queens, NY, Dan pursued his undergraduate studies at Cornell in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. Upon graduation, he continued his education at the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development at NYU, where he enrolled in the Environmental Conservation Education program in the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences in the Professions. Describing the appeal of Conservation Education, Dan explained that he was "instantly attracted to the program because of its open and intensive interdisciplinary offerings." He remarked, "Steinhardt's urban campus takes you beyond Washington Square - it takes you to the UN and around the world." 

Jessica Jones '07

Jessica Jones graduated from the ECE program in January 2007. During her Master's program, she held an internship at the High School for Environmental Studies and worked as the research assistant for the Wallerstein Collaborative for Urban Environmental Education. Jessica was also employed as the data manager for the Hudson River Foundation before moving to DC to work in the environmental education field.

Since November 2007, Jessica has been at the National Wildlife Federation. She started as a volunteer Coordinator overseeing FrogWatch USA and Coastal Louisiana Habitat Restoration Initiative. In 2008, she was promoted to Senior Coordinator of Citizen Science Programs where she manages the Wildlife Watch program. To learn more about Wildlife Watch, visit www.nwf.org/watch. Feel free to contact her at watch@nwf.org.

 Christopher Kennedy '07

Christopher Lee Kennedy is a project-based and installation artist based in Brooklyn, New York. His work explores notions of exchange and relational situations through situated learning. Mr. Kennedy holds a degree in Environmental Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a Masters of Arts in Environmental Conservation Education from New York University. He has served as the Director of Education for Solar One, NYC's Green Arts and Education Center and a former Research Fellow of the Environmental Health Clinic at NYU. His most recent projects have included Urban Epiphyte a participatory project exploring issues of psychogeography and ecology and The Institute for Applied Aesthetics, a research-based think tank for art and learning.

Currently, Christopher is a PhD candidate of Educational Studies with a concentration in Cultural Studies, at University of North Carolina - Greensboro.

Courtney Jackson '06

Courtney Jackson is currently working at Golder Associates Inc., an international environmental engineering and consulting firm. She works on site investigations and compliance issues, as well as environmental due diligence for large corporations who need to meet state and federal environmental regulations.

Courtney had two internships while in the ECE program. Her first internship was with the Council on the Environment in New York City where she helped organize weekly lessons on the environment and energy and delivered them to local classrooms. Her second internship was with the Mayor's Office of Environmental Coordination. She worked on the City Environmental Quality Review Manual, the PlaNYC 2030 publication released in April 2007, and on the city's Brownfield projects.

The ECE program and the varied internship experiences helped prepare her for an exciting career in environmental consulting.

Amanda Eyrich Daly '05

Amanda Eyrich Daly graduated from the ECE program in January of 2006. Presently she is the Director of Green Education and Training Programs at City University of New York, providing oversight and support for the program. Prior to her position at CUNY, Amanda was a consultant to the United Nations and developed a module of UN-Habitat's Environmental Education Resource Packet focused on climate change as it impacts urban environments. Previously, she was the Director of Education at the Center for the Urban Environment and directed the delivery of over 4000 urban environmental programs annually. Additionally as an Adjunct Lecturer at Brooklyn College, Ms. Daly teaches environmental studies, life science and general natural sciences courses to future teachers. Ms. Daly holds a BS in Environmental Studies from Richard Stockton College.