Like Us on Facebook!Summer Adventure Staff
Amber JacobsonCamp Director
Amber has been teaching early elementary for over 20 years. She was inspired by her grandmother who was a dedicated teacher for most of her life. This is Amber’s 5th year at TVCS. She says she loves the school because it allows her to be the kind of teacher she wants to be - creative, integrated, and flexible in her approach. After growing up in Kansas and attending UK, Amber moved to Colorado and taught at elementary schools in Denver and Vail. She earned her master's degree in education from the University of Colorado along with an endorsement in reading. Amber moved to Teton Valley in 2004 with her husband Brian because they were awed by the scenery and impressed with the sense of community here. Amber enjoys telemark skiing, fishing, walking her dogs, and spending time with friends and family.
Amber can be reached at amber@tetonvalleycommunityschool.org
Erin TanzerCamp Director
Erin grew up in New Hampshire and moved to the Tetons in 2005 after completing her BA in English literature and secondary education at Saint Michael's College in Colchester, Vermont. Erin completed the year-long graduate program at the Teton Science Schools and earned her MA in place-based education from Prescott College in May 2011. Erin has been an educator in a variety of settings for years, sharing her passion for natural history, environmental science, and literature with students of all ages. Erin conducted her student teaching in middle schools in Hinesburg, Vermont; York, England; and Jackson, Wyoming. Her most recent teaching experiences include field instructing in youth education at Teton Science Schools and substitute teaching and coordinating the after school program at the Journeys School. Her interests include backcountry skiing, poetry, birding, and exploring the special places in Teton Valley with her husband, Ben, and their dog, Otis.
Erin can be reached at erin@tetonvalleycommunityschool.org
Erin DowlingCamp Counselor
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
Melanie PooleCamp Counselor
Melanie just completed her undergraduate degree at Connecticut College, in New London, Connecticut, where she double majored in Environmental Studies and Botany. She spent her time there volunteering and later interning at a local nature center and leading groups on tours of the Connecticut Arboretum. Last summer she got the chance to experience the West for the first time, as a summer naturalist at the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies. This past fall, she also studied at the Ecosystem Center of the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. She is very excited to be back in the West, and to get to spread her love and enthusiasm for the environment and gardening with kids of all ages! In her free time Melanie enjoys running, hiking, camping, and being outdoors.
Melanie can be reached at Melanie.Poole@tetonscience.org
Veronica MalenciaVeronica grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and has spent the last four years in Delaware, Ohio pursuing a degree in Environmental Studies and Geography. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University in May and is thrilled to be spending the summer in the west. Veronica is an Americorps Intern at Teton Science Schools and is excited to be working with both TSS and TVCS this summer. She has a lot of past experience at day camp and is ready to share her love of crafts and games with her campers this summer. In her free time Veronica enjoys rock climbing, playing Ultimate Frisbee and reading. She is also certified in first aid and adult & child CPR.
Veronica can be reached at
Nancy Van DykeFarm and Garden Teacher
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
Alena McIntoshCounselor in Training
Alena has been a student at TVCS since she was in Kindergarten and is now entering 8th grade. Alena loves to work with younger children and is very excited to be helping out with the Preschool Campers. Alena loves to play soccer and spend time with her family.
Alena can be reached at info@tetonvalleycommunityschool.org