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Meet the Talented Staff of
Pathfinder Outdoor Education
Pathfinder instructors have the finest expertise working with learners of all ages and abilities. All Instructors have, at minimum, training in American Red Cross First Aid, CPR and water safety, and most have a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree. Instructors are also thoroughly trained facilitators of ropes challenge courses and have been extensively trained in our experiential education curriculum. Their qualifications exceed standards in the field as attested by Pathfinder’s accreditation with the Association for Experiential Education.
Michelle Flint, Assistant Director/Director of Program Development, has worked with Pathfinder from 1996 through 1997 and since 2000. She coordinates program design for facilitator training, community building, and other adult programs. She also coordinates program evolution for student curriculum, keeping classes fresh and relevant for students of all ages. She is a Site Director and mentor for new staff.
Certifications: High and Low Ropes Instructor; Project WILD; American Red Cross certified in Adult, Infant and Child CPR, First Aid, Small Craft Safety and Basic Water Rescue.
Education: M.A. in Education, University of South Florida, B.A. in Anthropology, New College of Florida
Experience: Michelle has taught experientially in many areas, including facilitation, therapeutic tai chi, outdoor education, Montessori science, theater, dance, group dynamics, and massage therapy. She has developed curriculum in academic and outdoor education for students in middle school through college.
Personal: Michelle is a licensed massage therapist in St. Petersburg, Florida. She also studied aikido, loves to travel, and after seven years, still loves s'mores around the campfire.
Crystal Sierra, Marketing Coordinator , has worked with Pathfinder since 2000. She is responsible for booking new clients and public relations. She also represents Pathfinder at promotional events and conferences, in addition to supporting the Executive Director with community outreach.
Certifications: American Red Cross certified in Adult, Infant and Child CPR, First Aid, Small Craft Safety and Basic Water Rescue.
Education: B.A. in Communications, University of Washington, Seattle
Experience:
Personal:
Captain Barney Waterbury, Instructor, and Site Director, has worked with Pathfinder since 1998
Certifications: CPR, First Aid, Lifeguard, High Ropes Trainer, Tree Climbing Trainer, Captain's License with US Coast Guard
Education: High School, Captain's School
Favorite moment working with Pathfinder and/or kids: "After 10 years, it is impossible for me to pick just one. Every day that I get to work with kids and young adults and this amazing staff is my favorite."
Personal: " Working at Pathfinder changed my life. The training I received helped me to understand myself and the people I come in contact with everyday."
Lynn Marshall, Instructor, and Site Director, has worked with Pathfinder since 1998; he is also a Site Director, and teaches the Reptile Review class, an experience with live reptiles.
Certifications: High Ropes Instructor, American Red Cross certified CPR for the Professional Rescuer, First Aid, Lifeguard and Small Craft Safety.
Experience: After four other careers, Lynn’s love of teaching began when he chaperoned his daughter’s field trip to Ft. DeSoto Park. He loved the experience of teaching other people’s children and seeing their eyes light up. As a member of the Tampa Bay Herpetological Society for 18 years, he has taught at dozens of public and private schools in Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties. Lynn worked at the City of St. Petersburg’s Boyd Hill Nature Preserve summer nature camp for two years and currently designs, coordinates and teaches Boyd Hill's summer Pioneer Camp program, as he has for the last six years. Lynn says there is something that happens when he is in a room full of kids, with all their energy, that makes him feel that he has a purpose; he can’t envision doing anything else with his life.
Personal: Lynn is a second generation Floridian and has been married to wife Nancy for 29 years. They have two children, Josh and Jessica, and two grandchildren. The Marshalls live on an eight-acre paradise on Bullfrog Creek called Toad Town, that is a refuge for unwanted animals and wildlife.
Sydney Lemieux, Instructor and Site Director, has worked with Pathfinder since 2003.
Certifications: Tree Climbing Trainer, High Ropes Instructor, American Red Cross certified CPR for Professional Rescuer, First Aid, Small Craft Safety, Project Wild, Project Aquatic Wild, Project Wet and Project Learning Tree certified.
Education: B.S. in Biology, St. Mary’s College of Maryland
Experience:Syd spent 10 years teaching environmental education programs & coordinating Elderhostel programs, primarily in northwestern New Jersey at the Fairview Lake YMCA Environmental Education Center. She also worked with New Jersey Audubon as a teacher/naturalist.
Personal: Syd & husband Bill have been on an amazing adventure together for more than 30 years & they have two fabulous children. Syd’s hobbies include gardening, birding, sailing, papermaking & many other crafts.
Jim Talbot, Instructor, Trainer, and Site Director, has worked for Pathfinder since 2003
Certifications: ACA Instructor Essentials of Canoe Touring and Intro to Canoe; American Red Cross certified CPR for the professional rescuer; First Aid; Lifeguard; ADD Wilderness First Responder; High Ropes and Challenge Course; Tree Climbing Facilitator
Education: BA Music Performance (voice) - Ithaca College
Relevent areas of expertise: Drumology
Favorite moment working with Pathfinder and/or kids: "Too numerous to enumerate!!! From the moment the kids get off the bus all giddy and wide-eyed with anticipation right up until they drive off exhausted, satisfied and perhaps w/ a bit more confident swagger it's an incredibly awesome and powerful experience. Sometimes I can scarcely contain the joy in sharing their journeys."
Personal: "At home I like relaxing with friends and family over food and drink, music or conversation. On the road I am an adventure junkie climbing, hiking, and paddling in the Adirondacks and Appalachians. And, oh yes, friends, I've been known to shop!!!"
Bambi Collector, Instructor , has worked for Pathfinder since 2006
Certifications: High Ropes; ACA Canoe Instructor; ARC Small Craft; First Aid; CPR; Girl Scout Consultant/Gold Award Mentor
Education: BA Psychology at Temple University
Favorite moment working with Pathfinder and/or kids: "I love to see kids arrive at Pathfinder, tentative, and unsure. Then leave energized and confident."
Personal: Married 27 years to a Chiropractor, Murray, and has 2 beautiful girls. "I spend my time outdoors backpacking, paddling, traveling, exploring all brown signs on the highway! At home I craft, sew, and read! Often I run!"
Emily Muehlstein, Instructor, has worked for Pathfinder since 2007.
Certifications: First Aid; CPR; Lifeguard; AED
Education: BS in Biology from the University of South Florida; currently earning her Masters in Science Education from the Unversity of South Florida
Favorite moment working with Pathfinder and/or kids: "There is nothing better than watching students experience the outdoors and gain an appreciation for the intrinsic value of the natural world."
Personal: Emily is an avid fisherwoman with a great respect for the complexity of nature.
Tammy Barrons, Instructor, has worked for Pathfinder since 2007.
Certifications: Lifeguard; First Aid; CPR; AED; Water Safety Instructor; Boating and Skills Seamanship; Certified Therapeutic Recreational Therapist;
Primary Practicum Training in Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy
Relevent areas of expertise: Tammy has worked with programs for diverse special needs populations, predominantly with at-risk and adjudicated delinquent youth.
Education: BA in Recreation and Parks Administration with emphasis in Therapeutic Recreation from Central Michigan University; Minor in Art
Favorite moment working with Pathfinder and/or kids: "Whenever I've had the privilege of observing a kid 'get it', discover something about their experience and generalize it, help someone else 'get it', take a positive risk, challenge their ability, use what they've learned, share their insight with others, or just have fun!"
Favorite Pathfinder class: "Incredible Journey; Challenge Course and High Ropes; they provide unique opportunities for individuals and groups to learn about themselves and each other in a physically and emotionally safe environment. I also enjoy facilitating these programs because goup diversity and dynamics keep programs challenging for me and the positive transformations I have the priviledge to see...are what it's all about!"
Personal: "I appreciate my husband's gourmet cooking, creativity, and spending quality time together enjoying the outdoors. I love the beach, mountains, swimming, snorkeling, boating, camping, hiking, playing in the dirt, bonfires, listening to a good Blues Band, art, photography, being creative, traveling, hanging out with friends and my cat, my chosen profession, making a difference, and being adventurous."
Community defined: "A group of people who share a common interest(s) and with willingness to discover, cultivate, and utilize unique characteristics of members to make a difference."
Allyson Crawford, Event & Supply Coordinator and Instructor, has worked for Pathfinder since 2007.
Certifications: First Aid; CPR; Conflict Resolution; Group Facilitation
Relevent areas of expertise: Social psychology, child development, behavior modification, and animal behavior
Education: BA in Psychology from New College of Florida
Favorite moment working with Pathfinder and/or kids: My favorite moments are when kids or teens I've been working with ask me tough questions. it reminds me that there's always more to learn.
Favorite Pathfinder class: "Tree climbing; because I've seen many participants conquor their fear of heights, and others find ways to stay engaged and help their friends from the ground."
Personal: "While growing up, my family took a trip every summer right before school started. Each seemed more daring than the last. Camping became backpacking and canoeing became white water rafting. The first day of school never seemed like a big challenge."
Community defined: "People in a reciprocal relationship; many people affecting each other."
Jaeson Clayborne, Instructor, has worked for Pathfinder since 2007.
Certifications: First Aid; CPR
Relevent areas of expertise: Jaeson has extensive knowledge of the environment and enjoys playing sport activities.
Education: BS in Science from Eckerd College
Favorite Pathfinder class: "Water World" is fun because the students and I get to learn about the water we swim and fish in. Is it safe or drinkable, why or why not?"
Community defined: " Everybody working together to achieve common goals of success, humility, and preservation."
D. Maurie Lung, Instructor, Site Director, has worked for Pathfinder since 2005.
Certifications: First Aid; CPR; Bareboat Sailing; LMHC; LMFT
Education: BS in Park Management (Outdoor Recreation/Environmental Education); MA in Counseling Psychology; PhD (abd) in Clinical Psychology
Favorite moment working with Pathfinder and/or kids: "The picture of a turtle that a kid drew as a response to something he learned at pathfinder (To come out of their shell!)."
Personal: Backpacked in all 50 states!
Missy Gilbert, Instructor, has worked for Pathfinder since 2006.
Certifications: First Aid; CPR; Lifeguard
Education: BS in Marine Chemistry from Eckerd College
Favorite moment working with Pathfinder and/or kids: Watching adults tree climb.
Personal: Missy works full time at Mote Marine Laboratories as a Staff Chemist.
Mike Berthold a.k.a. Carolina Mike, Instructor, has worked for Pathfinder since 2007.
Certifications: CPR; First Aid; ACA Certified Sea Kayaking; NAWI Dive Certified
Relevent areas of expertise: canoeing and kayaking Instruction and guide; artist and art teacher; hiking and camping
Education: AA in Communication Graphics from Silver Lake College, Manitwoc WI; US Army Combat Engineer School, Ft. Leanardwood, MI; 13 years serving in US Army
Favorite Pathfinder class: "Canoeing; because I love to be on the water and experience nature."
Community defined: "Working together towards a common goal."
Katie Fisk, Instructor, has worked for Pathfinder since 2008.
Certifications: CPR; First Aid
Relevent areas of expertise: Katie has extensive knowledge of wildlife biology/ecology and is an environmental educator.
Education: BS in Wildlife Biology from Colorado State University; Florida Master Naturalist Program from Upland Habitat Module; 1 year earning MA in Biology from College of William & Mary
Community defined: "A community to me is a group of people who support each other, whether it be at work, at play, or even at home. Communities give strength to individuals by bringing individuals together!"
Tom Ackerman, Instructor, has worked for Pathfinder since 2008.
Certifications: First Aid; CPR
Relevant areas of expertise:
Leadership and Management; topics including: coaching, ethics, safety, problem solving, and decision making.
Favorite Pathfinder class: Canoeing
Community defined: "Fellow neighbors all working for a common good."
Shauri Gibson, Instructor, has worked for Pathfinder since 2008.
Certifications: First Aid; CPR
Relevent areas of expertise: Shauri has worked in Waldorf education since 1998 and has a true love of adventure, nature, and working with people of all ages.
Education: Currently earning BA in Human Development, Environmental and Leadership Studies at Eckerd College; Waldorf Education Foundation Studies through Center For Anthroposophy, New Hampshire.
Favorite Pathfinder class: "Challenge Course; I love the moment the participants realize that they have completed a challenge they didn't think they could and are ready for more."
Community defined: " Communication in unity!"
Megan Gray, Instructor, has worked for Pathfinder since 2008.
Certifications: CPR; First Aid; Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy; EFT
Relevent areas of expertise: Megan has been a Counselor since 1983 teaching interpersonal skills, focusing and relaxation techniques. She teaches yoga to adults and children.
Education: MA in Counseling
Community defined:
"I support the good that each individual may be heard. I love the Pathfinder staff's cooperation and our showing the participants how to cooperate and honor one another."
Kate Stewart, Instructor, has worked for Pathfinder since 2008.
Certifications: First Aid; CPR; Certified Life Coach
Relevent areas of expertise: Canoeing; Outdoor Adventure; coaching and facilitating
Education: BA from Goucher College
Community defined: "Individuals coming together to create a co-hesive unit, supporting one another in order to reach a common goal."
Ilsia Szczepanski, Instructor, has worked for Pathfinder since 2008.
Certifications: Lifeguard; First Aid; CPR; Divemaster, Emergency First Responder
Relevent areas of expertise: Ilsia has experience in canoeing, camping and outdoor adventures, water safety, and hiking. Ilsia invites the youth to explore the outdoors
Education: BS in Information Systems Mangement
Community defined: "Working together for a common goal with everyone an active participant."
Craig Coffin, Instructor, has worked for Pathfinder since 2008.
Certifications: CPR; First Aid; Wilderness First Aid; AED Certified
Relevent areas of expertise: Craig has worked at a number of varying Environmental and Adventure Educational recreation sites with adults as well as children.
Education: BA in Recreation/Wildnerness from Southern Illinois University
Favorite Pathfinder class: Craig cannot say what is a favorite, he likes it all!
Community defined: "People coming together and supporting each other, and having fun!"
David Wirth, Instructor, has worked for Pathfinder since 2008.
Certifications: CPR; First Aid; Stress/Rescue Diver Certified;
Relevent areas of expertise: Eckerd College Search & Rescue Member/Instructor; Outdoor recreation; wilderness survival
Education: BA in International Business from Eckerd College
Community defined: "A group of people acting and working together, with multiple ideas, opinions, and perspectives, to achieve a common goal."
Sherry Bagley, Instructor, has worked for Pathfinder since 2008.
Certifications: First Aid; CPR
Relevent areas of expertise: Canoeing, camping, boating, science and scuba
Education: BS in Marine Biology; ACOE Wetland Delineation Training
Community defined: "Community means an active group of people that join together with common goals and work as a collective unit to acheive those goals."
Jeromy Johnson, Instructor, has worked for Pathfinder since 2007.
Certifications: First Aid; CPR
Relevent areas of expertise: Jeromy has been involved for 5 years in character education and diversity training throughout Pinellas, Pasco, and Hillsborough county schools and community organizations.
Education: Currently earning a BA in Sociology at Unversity of South Florida
Favorite Pathfinder class: "Walk-a-Mile; it allows for a safe environment to discuss an often [avoided] topic. We should all have an opportunity to talk about our life experiences and get a chance to understand the lives of others."
Community defined: "Safety and unity."
Amy Gerome, Instructor, has worked for Pathfinder since 2008.
Certifications: First Aid; CPR
Relevent areas of expertise: "I love to be on the water and enjoy kayaking and canoeing. I previously worked for a the Girl Scouts of America and with other outdoor education and experiential education programs. I enjoy helping someone on their journey through various challenges, I find this to be very exciting and rewarding."
Education: Associate of Science in Recreation and Wildlife; BA in Education; Associate of Science in Veternary Technology
Community defined: " A sense of cohesion with other. I find it incredible to be part of something without fear. It is very comforting to be in a safe place with people."
Eric Starkweather, Instructor, has worked for Pathfinder since 2008.
Certifications: CPR; First Aid; Certified Personal Trainer
Relevent areas of expertise: Orienteering with Map & Compass; Outdoor Survival; Canoeing; Diving; Water Safety; Games & Sports; Physical Fitness and human body function; Eric served 8 years in the US Army Reserve and has coached youth and adults in football, track & field, weightlifting/strength & conditioning.
Education: BA in Psychology/Communications at McAllister in St. Paul Minnesota; Outward Bound Leadership; St. Petersburg Council of Neighborhood Associates Leadership; US Army Basic & Intermediate Leadership
Community defined: "A group of people with common interests, whether initially apparent or not!"
To contact an individual staff member please email the main Pathfinder address at info@pathfinder-ed.org and put his or her name in the subject line. We will forward your message. Please allow at least two weeks for a reply since most staff members work in the field at our various locations and are not able to reach a computer during program hours.
