Liz Baird Trip leader

Director of School Programs, NC Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh

Hobbies: reading, traveling with my family, and canoeing

What I am looking forward to: Looking forward to seeing Lydia and Nathan and sharing the Belize experience with a new group of educators

Bill Hasse Trip leader

Coordinator of the Living Conservatory, NC Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh

Hobbies: Bird watching, hiking, canoeing, running

What I am looking forward to experiencing in Belize: Seeing old friends, observing the wildlife of Belize.

Jan Weems Trip leader

Coordinator of the Discovery Room, NC Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh

Hobbies: Gardening, bird watching, stream watching, canoeing

What I am looking forward to experiencing in Belize: Seeing the people and wildlife of Belize, sharing the experience with others.

Mary Ann Brittain Electronic Connection Buddy

Director of Prairie Ridge,, NC Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh

Hobbies: Pottery, creating ponds and meadows for wildlife, reading murder mysteries

What I am looking forward to experiencing: Experiencing the team's adventures vicariously by reading their daily journals.

Alden Hanson

Art Teacher (K-5)), Rolesville Elementary, Wake County

Hobbies: Gardening, swimming, exploring nature, sketching

What I am looking forward to experiencing in Belize: Exploring Mayan ruins, life in the rainforest, snorkeling, and camaraderie with other teacher/learners.

Carolyn Inselman

Teacher, Hospital School, Orange County

Hobbies: Gardening, pottery, scrapbooking, art, reading

What I am looking forward to experiencing in Belize: Fun, adventure, friendships, new experiences, studying a new culture, exchange of ideas with other teachers and professionals from North Carolina and Belize.

Cindy Kendall

Science and Social Studies Teacher (5th grade), Robinson School, Gaston County

Hobbies: Deep Sea Fishing, boating, reading and traveling

What I am looking forward to experiencing in Belize: Snorkeling on the reef and experiencing all the beautiful sea life.

Janet Key

Science and Math Teacher (7th grade), Northview Middle School, Hickory City Schools in Catawba County

Hobbies: Hiking, gardening, reading

What I am looking forward to experiencing in Belize: Snorkeling to find amazing ocean life, scanning trees for colorful birds, making memories with new teaching friends and bringing the experience back to my students.

Jamie King

Science Teacher, Southern Guilford High School, Guilford County

Hobbies: Sports, any outdoor activities, NASCAR, traveling

What I am looking forward to experiencing in Belize: Hiking through the rainforest, seeing exotic animals and having an all-around great time.

Karma Langer

Science Teacher (6th grade), Magellan Charter School, Wake County

Hobbies: Hiking, reading, quilting, scrapbooking, gardening and cooking

What I am looking forward to experiencing in Belize: Snorkeling to find amazing ocean life, scanning trees for colorful birds, making memories with new teaching friends and bringing the experience back to my students.

Elizabeth 'Eli' Langston

Teacher (2nd grade), Harnett Primary School, Harnett County

Hobbies: Cooking, taking pictures, scuba diving and helping others

What I am looking forward to experiencing in Belize: Having a wonderful experience with the people, culture, food, plants and animals. I want to bring back ideas and pictures to share with my students and staff at school.

Mary Loveless

BiologyTeacher, First Flight High School, Dare County

Hobbies: Reading, scrapbooking, enjoying the beach, playing with my two sons

What I am looking forward to experiencing in Belize: Experiencing the culture and ecology of Belize. I can’t wait to visit the rainforest and snorkel the reef.

Linda McDermon

Distance Learning Coordinator, Rural Hall Elementary School, Forsyth County

Hobbies: Reading, swimming, gardening, animal rescue.

What I am looking forward to experiencing in Belize: Learning new things and taking lots of pictures to share with my school and students; exploring new places and meeting new friends in NC and in Belize.

Ann Noland

Teacher, Lucy Daniels Center for Early Childhood, Wake County

Hobbies: Reading, gardening, camping, and traveling

What I am looking forward to experiencing in Belize: Animals from Howler Monkeys to Iguanas; Mayan Ruins, coral reef, and lots of people! Then, new ideas and perspectives to bring back to share.

Melinda Patterson

Center Director, Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education, Transylvania County

Hobbies: Dressage and tandem biking

What I am looking forward to experiencing in Belize: learning about Belizean culture and ecology and bringing it back to teach all who are interested.

Anne Way

Teacher (1st grade), Saluda Elementary School, Polk County

Hobbies: Biking, hiking, reading exploring

What I am looking forward to experiencing in Belize: learning about a new culture, exploring a rain forest, visiting ancient ruins, learning about the animals of Belize.

Nathan Forbes

Tour guide and driver

Nathan has been guiding the Museum’s annual Belize Institute for more than 10 years. He came to a Museum workshop (Summer Field Institute) in June 2002.

Miss Lydia Wade

Manager, Warrie Head Lodge

Miss Lydia has been a kind hostess for the Belize Institute for more than 15 years. She creates wonderful meals for us and makes visitors feel right at home. She came to North Carolina in February, 1998 for the Museum's "Love in the Tropics" fundraiser and helped make refried beans and Johnny Cakes, as well as bringing home-made dolls and baskets for the auction.