Like Us on Facebook!Enrichment Staff
Erin DowlingAfter School Program Coordinator
Erin grew up in a suburb of New York City. After spending summers backpacking with a camp called The Road Less Travelled, she took a self-guided journey on the Appalachian Trail through the Blue Ridge Mountains. Her wanderlust still not satisfied, Erin moved to the desert in California then to the rainforest of the Olympic Peninsula. She graduated from The Evergreen State College with a BA. There, she contributed to collaborative research of botanical extracts originating in the college’s organic farm and surrounding wild areas. At the 9th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium at the University of Washington in Seattle, Erin was the proud presenter of this research data. She had the opportunity to design her own undergrad curriculum and included study of ceramics. Today, at the Teton Arts Council ceramics studio, Erin pursues this passion. Also, she continues her lifelong passion of music everyday. She wants to offer what she has learned and seeks to learn more so she may have more to offer. Erin is also CPR certified for the infant, child and adult.
Erin can be reached at lil_elively@hotmail.com
Erika EschholtzFarm and Garden
Erika grew up gardening and surrounded by farmland in rural New England. She received a BA from Hope College, MI in 1990 and a MS in Environmental Education from Aurora University, IL in 1992. She has been working with a broad range of ages in outdoor and environmental education since. Erika has been involved with local organic farming for the past 10 years with The Cosmic Apple Garden and currently Snowdrift Farm. Erika feels it is wonderful to share the joys of growing ones own food with the children and inspiring them to live more sustainably in their daily life. In 2006 she founded a garden education program sponsored by Teton Valley Community School called Full Circle Education.
Erika can be reached at erika68@silverstar.com
Tracey-Mae GonsalvesOutdoor Education
Tracey-Mae was born and raised in the stunning Teton Mountains, making her a true valley local. She grew up experiencing the outdoors through skiing, swimming and camping with her mom and fishing and hunting with her dad. A foremost Bronco football enthusiast, she attended Boise State University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology with a K-12 Physical Education certificate, a minor in Health Education, and endorsements in computer and coaching. Tracey-Mae’s love for the snow brought her back home after college. Her free time is best spent at Targhee where she enjoys skiing big powder with her friends and family. She also has a passion for water and spends her summers submerged: be it teaching swim lessons, lifeguarding, floating the river or wakeboarding on the lake. Tracey-Mae has been teaching since 2009 and she is very excited to be a part of TVCS!
Tracey-Mae can be reached at tmae@d401.k12.id.us
Jesse HoweSpanish
Born and raised in the Washington, D.C. area, it was impossible not to be swept up in the cultural diversity that is the Nation’s Capital. Jesse remembers from a young age being envious of friends who spoke 2 languages, whether it was Korean, Greek or Spanish. A move to San Diego to attend University broadened his horizons, and a move to Spain for a semester abroad firmly cemented his love of world travel and languages. It continues to be a journey that has taken him to 35 countries, 50 states, and every continent. Upon earning a psychology degree, Jesse moved to the northern Rockies of Colorado. Winter Park would be his home for the next 9 winters. Coaching skiing and teaching served as a way to give back to the community, have fun with kids, and earn a living. Nearby Berthoud Pass sparked a love of backcountry skiing and touring, often with his 2 beloved Newfoundland dogs. Currently, Jesse’s focus is on his future as an educator, with a long term goal of earning a master's degree in Education and teaching at an American School in Latin America.
Jesse can be reached at
Tonia RalstonArt
For Tonia, growing up in a busy multicultural neighborhood in Seattle as well as a small, primitive cabin in an isolated setting on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula served as dynamic influences for an artistic path early on. After spending time studying art in Vienna with related travels throughout Europe and parts of Africa, Tonia earned a B.A. in studio art from Whitman College. She works as an independent artist, painting murals and commissioned art, and shows her work in various settings throughout the West. Through extensive grant writing and collaborative efforts with Jackson Arts organizations Tonia developed, maintains, and has taught a K-12 multi-disciplinary arts program in Jackson for over ten years. She also spent 10 summers working as a field instructor for a therapeutic wilderness program leading trips for special needs children throughout the Tetons. Facilitating the creative process with children is one of her favorite things to do.
Tonia can be reached at tonibaloney70@hotmail.com
Susan SargentMusic
Susan was born and raised in Idaho. She then moved east to attend Gonzaga University where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She later earned her teaching certification and began teaching Special Education in 1980. After receiving an endorsement to her certification in Music, Susan began teaching both Special Education and Music for Kindergarten – 12th grade. Susan has spent the last thirteen years teaching Music, Special Education, Psychology, Band and Choir abroad in Germany, Ethiopia, Egypt, China, Japan and Syria. In her free time Susan enjoys playing piano, flute, singing and travel.
Susan can be reached at silverswan08@gmail.com
Nancy Van DykeFarm and Garden
Nancy first experienced the Tetons in the spring of 2006. She came to complete a year-long graduate program at the Teton Science Schools to pursue her passion for education and the environment. That led to a move to Laramie, Wyoming to complete a Masters degree in Natural Science. In 2009, Nancy was able to return to Teton Valley and spent time working as a paraprofessional with the Special Education department at Teton High School. She is now working with Slow Food in the Tetons and Full Circle Education as a program coordinator. This enables Nancy to pursue her interests in gardening, local food, and community while working with teachers in the realm of education. "I am so excited to be a part of TVCS! I use the garden program as a central focus for the students, connecting the micro-ecosystem we care for on school grounds to the diverse natural systems in and around Teton Valley. I enjoy exploring this beautiful place with such an amazing group of young adventurers!"
Nancy can be reached at nancy.vandyke@gmail.com