Instructors

The instructors with Nature Discovery for Kids are senior teachers with many years experience as educators. All have extensive experience in both classroom and field nature instruction through this and other programs.

Krista Pink
	Cindy Chapman Cindy Chapman was an elementary classroom teacher and instructional coach for over 35 years. Specializing in mathematics education, she served on the Board of Directors of the National Council for Teachers of Mathematics and won the 1995 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics Teaching. She has had Bosque Education and Project Wild training. Since completing RGNC volunteer training in 2010, Cindy has enjoyed learning about and sharing nature with people of all ages.
Gayle Wise Gayle Wise is a retired elementary teacher with a rich art background, and a 12-year resident of Albuquerque. She is a volunteer at the Nature Center and for Senior Corps, a mother and grandmother, a lifelong gardener and animal caretaker who holds great respect for Mother Nature. Growing up in the Midwest, She spent summers collecting and studying insects and other amazing creatures. She believes we all connect to nature by exploring, creating and sharing. She hopes to offer your child a unique and joyful experience at Nature Discovery this summer focusing on insects and arachnids.
	Therese McGrath Therese McGrath recently retired from APS after 30 years, working with children in grades K-6. Helping young children become strategic readers was her calling while employed for APS. She holds a BS and MA in Education from the University of New Mexico with an emphasis in Science and Reading. Therese came to the Rio Grande Nature Center after completing her Volunteer Training in the winter of 2010. Included in her nature education endeavors are Project Wild, Bosque Education, and others. She enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, nature walks, golfing, and indoor activities like yoga and reading.
	Christine Hyde Christine Hyde taught 11 years (pre-k and 2nd grade) in Waco, Texas. Her family moved to Albuquerque in 2001, and she has been at Holy Ghost Catholic School since then as a kindergarten teacher. She is looking forward to teaching at the Nature Center and watching the children's excitement as they learn about and make new discoveries in Nature.
Helen Copeland Helen Copeland has lived in Albuquerque and taught at Holy Ghost Catholic School for twenty-one years. She is currently teaching a kindergarten and first grade multi-age class. She is also pursuing a Masters of Education at the University of New Mexico. Teaching children about discovering all of the natural wonders at the Nature Center is an amazing experience. She is grateful to be part of such a wonderful team.
Julie McVay Julie McVay started teaching at the RGNC in 1988. She has a BA and an MA from UNM, and started teaching with APS in 1970. She taught grades K-4. Julie retired in 2010, and completed the RGNC Volunteer Training (for the second time!) in 2011. She has taken Project Wild, Bosque Education, and other classes. She was awarded Environmental Teacher of the Year in 1994.
Sharon Byington Sharon Byington organized the first Nature Discovery classes during the summer of 1986, and was program director and lead instructor from then through 2015. She now acts as an advisor to the program. Sharon retired after 28 years teaching with APS. She taught grades 1–5 as well as remedial reading classes. She has a MA in elementary education with an emphasis in biology and is a certified reading specialist. Her nature education includes classes with Audubon (in Torrey Creek, Wyoming), UNM, Project Wild, the Bosque Education program, and others.