Liz Baird (Trip leader)
Director of School Programs
NC Museum of Natural Sciences
Wake County
Hobbies: reading, pilates, trying new things
What I am looking forward to: Seeing Nathan and Miss Lydia again, returning to Southwater Caye 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
Wake County
Hobbies: finding and watching critters, hiking, canoeing and running
What I am looking forward to: Seeing old friends, making new friends and observing the wildlife of Belize.

Jan Weems (Trip leader)
Coordinator of the Discovery Room
NC Museum of Natural Sciences
Wake County
Hobbies: gardening, bird watching, stream wading and canoeing
What I am looking forward to: Experiencing the natural wonders of Belize and sharing them with others as well as seeing Belizean friends.

Kelly Ammerman
Transitional Classroom Teacher
Eckerd Youth Alternative School
Henderson County
Hobbies: Family experiences, bugs, science!!!
What I am looking forward to: Catching a glimpse of a beautiful jaguar, experiencing the Belizean culture, visiting Monkey River School, having every one of my senses become overwhelmed! Most of all, bringing my experience back to my classroom and sharing my excitement with my students.

Elizabeth Bradford
Visual Arts Teacher
East Lincoln High School
Lincoln County
Hobbies: Kayaking, yoga, reading, writing, walking and camping
What I am looking forward to: The color and intense beauty of Belize; reefs, plantains and mangos, the people, the opportunity to paint, record, draw and write about my experiences, making new friends.

Sarah Chew
Science Teacher
Brooks Museum Magnet Elementary School
Wake County
Hobbies: Hiking, playing piano, making jewelry, singing and trying new things. What I am looking forward to: Learning about the Belizean culture and ecology. I can not wait to visit the Jaguar preserve. Sharing my experiences with my students.

Peggy Cunningham
Third Grade Teacher
Hall-Woodward Elementary
Forsyth County
Hobbies: Motorcycling, hiking and exploring
What I am looking forward to: Discovering new things about the flora, fauna and customs of Belize. I am excited about how I can share this new knowledge with my students, family and peers.

Rhonda Gregware
Forth Grade Teacher
Silverdale Elementary School
Onslow County
Hobbies: Reading, traveling, spending time with family and pets.
What I am looking forward to: Exploring a new place — its culture, flora and fauna, geography and history; learning new things to share with my students; a chance to see, hear, smell and touch things I’ve only imagined.

Tressa Hartsell
Biology and Marine Biology Teacher
Mountain Heritage High School
Yancey County
Hobbies: Hiking, backpacking, kayaking and reading
What I am looking forward to: Exploring the rainforest, reef and mangroves. Learning about and experiencing another culture. Being a student for a week!

Michelle Kaszuba
Science Teacher
Sedgefield Middle School
Mecklenburg County
Hobbies: Traveling, crocheting and reading
What I am looking forward to: Exploring coral reefs and taking tons of photos and video to share with my students. I am also looking forward to discovering the culture, the food and the people of Belize.

Patty Perkinson
3rd Grade Teacher
Holly Ridge Elementary School
Wake County
Hobbies: Learning, hiking, reading, gardening, exercising (yes, really!), hanging out with my kids, drinking coffee and listening to the birds sing.
What I am looking forward to: I can’t wait to meet the people of Belize and Experience some of their culture. I am excited to bring back pictures and tons of adventure stories to show just how much we have in common with people that are “far, far, away”. I want to explore a real rainforest too!

Kelly Stanton
Kindergarten Teacher
New Dimension School
Burke County
Hobbies: Hiking, canoeing and gardening.
What I am looking forward to: I am very excited about discovering the plants and animals of Belize. (Looking at images on a computer, just isn’t the same). I am also hoping to form a year-long learning exchange between my class and a Belizean classroom.

Cindy Stephenson
Fifth Grade Science Teacher
Forsyth Country Day School
Forsyth County
Hobbies: Swimming, bicycling, gardening, reading and cooking
What I am looking forward to: I can’t wait to go snorkeling on the coral reef! I want to feel warm tropical sunshine and swim with dazzling tropical fish. I want to see as many different species of hummingbirds as possible. Also I am dreaming of getting a glimpse of a sea turtle.

Michael Tally
Science Supervisor
Wake County Public Schools
Wake County
Hobbies: Fishing, boating, gardening, hiking and traveling
What I am looking forward to: The coastal ecosystems in Belize are some of the most unique on earth. To visit and study these systems is a duty. To share these experiences with others is an honor.

Shirley Vestal
Social Studies Teacher
Magellan Charter School
Wake County
Hobbies: Walking, hiking, kayaking, knitting and reading
What I am looking forward to: I can’t wait to see the rain forest — I have been intrigued by it all my life. I am also looking forward to seeing all forms of wildlife, especially birds.

Nathan Forbes
Tour guide and driver
Nathan has been guiding the Museum’s annual Tropical Ecology Institute for more than 12 years. He came to a Museum workshop (Summer Field Institute) in June 2002.