Meet the 2009 Team
Mary Ann Brittain
 Trip Leader
Director, Prairie Ridge Ecostation, NC Museum of Natural Sciences
Wake County
Hobbies: reading, playing the violin, pottery
Llooking forward to: Reconnecting with my Heifer staff friends and my friend Miguel. Visiting a new Heifer project and seeing and sharing the excitement of the group as they experience both the culture and wildlife of Ecuador.
Kim Smart
 Trip Leader
Natural Sciences Educator, Prairie Ridge Ecostation, NC Museum of Natural Sciences
Wake County
Hobbies: singing, dancing, paddling, camping, traveling with my husband, playing with my friends, gardening, nature journaling
Looking forward to: seeing our Ecuadorian colleagues; facilitating a workshop at a new school; enjoying getting to know another group of teachers; seeing the Andes, cloud forest and Isla de la Plata.
Briana Corke
 4th Grade, Spanish/English Dual Language Program
Carrboro Elementary School
Orange Co.
Hobbies: reading, hiking and spending lots of time outside
Looking forward to: experiencing a different culture, meeting new friends, tasting new tastes and experiencing a different way of life. I look forward to improving my Spanish and I am also excited to connect with other educators from North Carolina and Ecuador. ˇSaludos!
Beverly Crow
 PreK–5th Grades
Holly Ridge Elementary
Wake Co.
Hobbies: All things creative!
Looking forward to: I am looking forward to visiting the Ecuadorian school , touring the llama farm, going whale watching, exploring the beautiful country and making new friends in Ecuador.
Jennifer Davis
 Kindergarten
Old Fort Elementary
McDowell Co.
Hobbies: I love to read, write, talk, laugh, love and enjoy life! I love spending time outside and love meeting new people.
Looking forward to: I would LOVE to see a Humpback Whale. I am also very excited about partnering with Heifer International — how exciting to know that I can be involved in changing lives around the world.
Steve Hall
 High School Earth/Environmental Science & Wildlife Science
Lincoln Charter School
Lincoln Co.
Hobbies: fly fishing, hiking, para-gliding, nature photography
Looking forward to: gaining insight from the local cultures, sharing my experiences with my students. I am a retired airline captain and have flown over 20 years to South America, especially Quito and Guayaquil. I am looking forward to returning as an educator and student.
Tressa Hartsell
 High School Biology & Marine Biology
Mountain Heritage High School
Yancey Co.
Hobbies: playing outside, hiking, swimming, reading, cooking, crocheting, watching movies, exercising
Looking forward to: Exploring a new country and culture, hiking through the cloud forest, practicing my Spanish, eating new foods, meeting new people, observing new animals and plants, being a student!
Dianne Jones
 1st grade
Wiley Elementary International Magnet School
Wake Co.
Hobbies: reading mysteries and nonfiction, drawing and painting, biking, jogging, walking the dog, photography, going to the beach, snow skiing, yoga
Looking forward to: I am excited about traveling with fellow educators to experience a new country— the wildlife, the landscapes, the people, and the children who we will meet through our work in the classroom. I am also very interested in learning more about Heifer International first hand and how I can involve the students and families at my school.
Sarah Kuszaj
 High School Biology & Marine Ecology
Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School
Wake Co.
Hobbies: playing & coaching soccer, hiking, enjoying the outdoors, reading, photography, cooking/baking
Looking forward to: seeing how Heifer is helping people, meeting the people of Ecuador, hopefully seeing whales off the coast, and experiencing what it’s like to be in a cloud forest.
Mike LeBaron
 High School Earth Science & AP Environmental Science
Lake Norman High School
Iredell Co.
Hobbies: hiking, backpacking, photography, cooking
Looking forward to: Seeing another culture and being able to bring back those experiences to my students, especially my Environmental Science class. I also want to see the Andes and Andesite — a rock type named after the Andes — up close and in person!
Dawn Mak
 Preschool/Special Education
Wake County Preschool Special Education Services
Wake Co.
Hobbies: anything outdoors with family and friends, kayaking, nature walks, bird watching, reading, arts/crafts, word games
Looking forward to: Learning about the people and the culture of Ecuador; gaining a better understanding of Heifer International; meeting the teachers and students; seeing the Andes, the Cloud Forest and the Pacific Ocean; learning about and hopefully seeing Ecuador's magnificent animal life.
Tom Oppewal
 Teacher Education (Graduate and Undergraduate)
North Carolina State University, College of Education
Wake Co.
Hobbies: hiking/backpacking, wood working, biking, kayaking
Looking forward to: Meeting and getting to know the “team,” learning about Ecuadorian natural and cultural history, learning about formal education in Ecuador, and making new Ecuadorian friends.
David Senseney
 K–12 Environmental Science
Ocracoke School/Arthur Morgan School, Retired
Hyde Co. & Yancey Co.
Hobbies: camp, hunt, old cars, dogs, motorcycles
Looking forward to: network with other teachers, learn more about the tropics, learn about sustainable agriculture, drink tea!
Betsie Stockslager
 3rd grade
Isaac Dickson Elementary
Buncombe Co.
Hobbies: singing, hiking, backpacking, boating, climbing
Looking forward to: Learning more about Ecuadorian culture and people. I love traveling, gaining new perspectives and meeting new people!
Team Members from Ecuador
 Augusto Cuzco
Teacher
Agroforestry School-Picalqui
Tabocundo, Pichincha Province, Ecuador
Hobbies: horse riding and educational meetings with people
What I'm looking forward to: building friendships with the group and to have the chance to exchange experiences with the teachers
 Lorenzo Tamala Rodriguez
5th grade
Eugenio Espejo
Colonche, Santa Elena Province, Ecuador
Hobbies: observe natural life and guide groups
What I'm looking forward to: sharing my community with the N.C. teachers and making more friends
 Miguel Castanel
Naturalist and Cultural interpreter
Tena, Napo Province, Amazonian Basin, Ecuador
Hobbies: I enjoy teaching my 5 year old son about bird, bug, and frog watching.
What I'm looking forward to: Doing
my best for the mutual learning experiences of our whole
group, especially for the students
that wait for news back in the United States.
 Asucena Salgado Baca
Trainer for Social Organizational Groups for Heifer Ecuador
Central Highlands in the province of Cotopaxi, Ecuador
Hobbies: sports such as soccer, baskertball and dancing
What I'm looking forward to: learning more to share and to experience the methodology of the workshop in the schools
 Monica Navarette
Heifer International
Quito, Ecuador
Hobbies: Being with my family, reading Latin American Literature, walking.
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