After growing up in the North Star State and earning my Bachelor's of Science in Zoology from the University of Wisconsin - Madison, I swapped my cold-weather gear for flip fops and a career in Environmental Education in the Florida Keys. Working with students from all over the country opened my eyes to the drastic educational disparities in the US, and drove me to join Teach for America as a 7th grade science teacher in Kansas City, MO. The commitment I made when I joined the corps to work towards ending educational inequities in this country will last far longer than my two years of service and it is this passion that fuels me as I work to bring a fresh perspective to the education department at the World Famous San Diego Zoo.