Staff
Lee Vierling, Executive Director
Ph.D. Environmental Biology, University of Colorado; B.A. Geology, The Colorado College.
Throughout his career, Lee has been committed to making science accessible and relevant to K-12 and public audiences, including his creation of a nationwide NASA K-6 Earth System Science Curriculum program and developing programs that partner scientists with K-12 students and teachers. Lee is also an Associate Professor in the UI College of Natural Resources, with a primary research interest to understand connections that link ecosystem structure with ecological function using remote sensing techniques. He and his wife Kerri have two young daughters, and his hobbies include bike touring, music, swimming, alternative energy, and remodeling old things.
» Email Lee Vierling
Ph.D. Environmental Biology, University of Colorado; B.A. Geology, The Colorado College.
Throughout his career, Lee has been committed to making science accessible and relevant to K-12 and public audiences, including his creation of a nationwide NASA K-6 Earth System Science Curriculum program and developing programs that partner scientists with K-12 students and teachers. Lee is also an Associate Professor in the UI College of Natural Resources, with a primary research interest to understand connections that link ecosystem structure with ecological function using remote sensing techniques. He and his wife Kerri have two young daughters, and his hobbies include bike touring, music, swimming, alternative energy, and remodeling old things.
» Email Lee Vierling
Greg Fizzell, Program Director
M.S. Forest Resources, University of Idaho; B.S. Forestry, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL
Greg began his career in the environment by working as a field forester and biologist in Illinois, Oregon and Washington. In addition to trees, he has also studied neotropical migrant birds in the forests and on the prairie of Illinois and has tracked Northern Goshawks in the pine forests of central Oregon. In 2001, Greg co-founded the University of Idaho McCall Outdoor Science School (MOSS) along with Dr. Steve Hollenhorst. He enjoys cycling, skiing, fishing and watching college football.
» E-mail Greg Fizzell
M.S. Forest Resources, University of Idaho; B.S. Forestry, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL
Greg began his career in the environment by working as a field forester and biologist in Illinois, Oregon and Washington. In addition to trees, he has also studied neotropical migrant birds in the forests and on the prairie of Illinois and has tracked Northern Goshawks in the pine forests of central Oregon. In 2001, Greg co-founded the University of Idaho McCall Outdoor Science School (MOSS) along with Dr. Steve Hollenhorst. He enjoys cycling, skiing, fishing and watching college football.
» E-mail Greg Fizzell
Sacha Jackson, Campus Manager and Registrar
Vegetarian and Regional Cuisine 1-month program, Apicius: The Culinary Institute of Florence, Italy; National Outdoor Leadership School Graduate; B.S. Experiential Sports Psychology, Minors in Coaching and Health, Plymouth State College, Plymouth, New Hampshire
Sacha is a native of Maine and has lived in McCall since 2002. The first 3.5 years of her McCall life were spent as a behavior therapist working with children with autism. When the program ended, her sense of adventure took her to Italy to study cooking. Upon return in the fall of 2006, Sacha joined the MOSS team as the dessert chef. She rejoined the team in the spring of 2007 with a keyboard at her fingers instead of flour and frosting. Sacha enjoys volunteering for AWeSOMe (Adaptive Wilderness Sports of McCall), cooking, traveling, backpacking, dancing, climbing, singing Phantom of the Opera songs, running and spending time with her family.
» E-mail Sacha Jackson
Vegetarian and Regional Cuisine 1-month program, Apicius: The Culinary Institute of Florence, Italy; National Outdoor Leadership School Graduate; B.S. Experiential Sports Psychology, Minors in Coaching and Health, Plymouth State College, Plymouth, New Hampshire
Sacha is a native of Maine and has lived in McCall since 2002. The first 3.5 years of her McCall life were spent as a behavior therapist working with children with autism. When the program ended, her sense of adventure took her to Italy to study cooking. Upon return in the fall of 2006, Sacha joined the MOSS team as the dessert chef. She rejoined the team in the spring of 2007 with a keyboard at her fingers instead of flour and frosting. Sacha enjoys volunteering for AWeSOMe (Adaptive Wilderness Sports of McCall), cooking, traveling, backpacking, dancing, climbing, singing Phantom of the Opera songs, running and spending time with her family.
» E-mail Sacha Jackson
Karla Bradley Eitel, Director of Education
Ph.D. Conservation Social Science, University of Idaho; M.Ed. University of Idaho; M.S. Conservation Social Science, University of Idaho; Prof. Residency in Environmental Education, Teton Science School; B.A. Studio Art and American Studies, Williams College
Karla teaches CSS 563: Place-based Environmental Education and CSS 561: Ecological Inquiry. She has been working with the MOSS program since 2002. Karla has worked as a crew leader for the Student Conservation Association, a field instructor at Teton Science School in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, and led conservation service projects with the Outdoor School Alternative High School, part of Northwest Youth Corps. She loves playing music, biking and skiing.
In 2011, Karla won the College of Natural Resources award for Outstanding Continuing Education and Service. The purpose of this award is to recognize full-time faculty, students, or staff of the College of Natural Resources for conceiving and/or staging outstanding educational events during the two previous years. Karla's nine years of service at MOSS which has served nearly 15,000 Idaho K-12 students and their teachers clearly makes her very deserving of this recognition.
» E-mail Karla Bradley Eitel
Ph.D. Conservation Social Science, University of Idaho; M.Ed. University of Idaho; M.S. Conservation Social Science, University of Idaho; Prof. Residency in Environmental Education, Teton Science School; B.A. Studio Art and American Studies, Williams College
Karla teaches CSS 563: Place-based Environmental Education and CSS 561: Ecological Inquiry. She has been working with the MOSS program since 2002. Karla has worked as a crew leader for the Student Conservation Association, a field instructor at Teton Science School in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, and led conservation service projects with the Outdoor School Alternative High School, part of Northwest Youth Corps. She loves playing music, biking and skiing.
In 2011, Karla won the College of Natural Resources award for Outstanding Continuing Education and Service. The purpose of this award is to recognize full-time faculty, students, or staff of the College of Natural Resources for conceiving and/or staging outstanding educational events during the two previous years. Karla's nine years of service at MOSS which has served nearly 15,000 Idaho K-12 students and their teachers clearly makes her very deserving of this recognition.
» E-mail Karla Bradley Eitel
Gary Thompson, Leadership Coordinator
M.S. Conservation Social Science, University of Idaho; B.A. Wilderness Leadership and Experiential Education, Brevard College
Gary teaches CSS 575: Leadership for Environmental Educators. Since 1999, Gary has been working as a wilderness educator, expedition leader and university instructor. He has enjoyed working in both the United States and South America. His professional interests include risk management and leadership education. When not in school, Gary instructs for the National Outdoor Leadership School and tries to spend as much time on the river as possible. He enjoys white-water kayaking, telemark skiing, cooking on the grill and throwing sticks for the dog.
» E-mail Gary Thompson
M.S. Conservation Social Science, University of Idaho; B.A. Wilderness Leadership and Experiential Education, Brevard College
Gary teaches CSS 575: Leadership for Environmental Educators. Since 1999, Gary has been working as a wilderness educator, expedition leader and university instructor. He has enjoyed working in both the United States and South America. His professional interests include risk management and leadership education. When not in school, Gary instructs for the National Outdoor Leadership School and tries to spend as much time on the river as possible. He enjoys white-water kayaking, telemark skiing, cooking on the grill and throwing sticks for the dog.
» E-mail Gary Thompson
Jennifer Schon, Program Coordinator
M.A. Education, Ashford University, Clinton, Iowa; B.S. Environmental Science, Chemistry and Biology minors, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA.
Jenny recently joined MOSS in 2010 after having taught middle school science for the previous three years in Montana. Prior to teaching, Jenny worked for the National Park Service in New Mexico as a Fire Effects Crew Lead studying the effects of fire on the landscape and the effectiveness of using it as tool for managing public lands. Jenny enjoys traveling, telemark skiing, hiking, biking, climbing, running, attempting to speak Spanish or catch a fish and winning an occasional handstand contest.
» E-mail Jennifer Schon
M.A. Education, Ashford University, Clinton, Iowa; B.S. Environmental Science, Chemistry and Biology minors, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA.
Jenny recently joined MOSS in 2010 after having taught middle school science for the previous three years in Montana. Prior to teaching, Jenny worked for the National Park Service in New Mexico as a Fire Effects Crew Lead studying the effects of fire on the landscape and the effectiveness of using it as tool for managing public lands. Jenny enjoys traveling, telemark skiing, hiking, biking, climbing, running, attempting to speak Spanish or catch a fish and winning an occasional handstand contest.
» E-mail Jennifer Schon
Shannon Moriarty Vidoni, Program Assistant
M.Ed. Curriculum & Instruction, Environmental Education Certificate, University of Idaho; B.F.A Jewelry/ Metals, Art Education Certificate K-12, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
Shannon is from Pennsylvania. She has spent the last 4 years dedicated to learning and teaching environmental education to youth. She enjoys teaching and developing lessons as much as she enjoys swimming, water sports, running, snowshoeing, and snowboarding in McCall’s beautiful natural playground.
» Email Shannon Moriarty Vidoni
M.Ed. Curriculum & Instruction, Environmental Education Certificate, University of Idaho; B.F.A Jewelry/ Metals, Art Education Certificate K-12, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
Shannon is from Pennsylvania. She has spent the last 4 years dedicated to learning and teaching environmental education to youth. She enjoys teaching and developing lessons as much as she enjoys swimming, water sports, running, snowshoeing, and snowboarding in McCall’s beautiful natural playground.
» Email Shannon Moriarty Vidoni
Jan U.H. Eitel, Researcher in Residence
Research Assistant Professor
Jan teaches CSS 560: Place-based Ecology for Environmental Educators and Scientific Computing and Geospatial workshops. He has been working with the MOSS program since 2010. Jan's research focuses on using and developing remote sensing tools and techniques to better understand the environment we live in. He loves outdoor sports such as biking, trail running, Nordic skiing, and backcountry skiing.
» View Jan's faculty profile
Research Assistant Professor
Jan teaches CSS 560: Place-based Ecology for Environmental Educators and Scientific Computing and Geospatial workshops. He has been working with the MOSS program since 2010. Jan's research focuses on using and developing remote sensing tools and techniques to better understand the environment we live in. He loves outdoor sports such as biking, trail running, Nordic skiing, and backcountry skiing.
» View Jan's faculty profile
Brant Miller - Faculty, College of Education
Ph.D. Science Education, University of Minnesota; M.S. Curriculum and Instruction, Black Hills State University; B.S. Elementary Education, Black Hills State University
Brant G. Miller is an assistant professor of science and technology education at the University of Idaho. Before pursuing his doctoral work, Brant was a middle school science teacher for six years in western South Dakota. His research interests include the identification of science agency in K-12 students through culturally based STEM curricular experiences; Adventure Learning; and the design and implementation of authentic, sustained professional development for K-12 STEM teachers in domestic and international settings.
» Email Brant Miller
Ph.D. Science Education, University of Minnesota; M.S. Curriculum and Instruction, Black Hills State University; B.S. Elementary Education, Black Hills State University
Brant G. Miller is an assistant professor of science and technology education at the University of Idaho. Before pursuing his doctoral work, Brant was a middle school science teacher for six years in western South Dakota. His research interests include the identification of science agency in K-12 students through culturally based STEM curricular experiences; Adventure Learning; and the design and implementation of authentic, sustained professional development for K-12 STEM teachers in domestic and international settings.
» Email Brant Miller
R. Justin Hougham, Postdoctoral Fellow
PhD Education- Sustainability and Place Based Education, Washington State University; EdM Education- Leadership, Washington State University; B.A. Cognitive Science, Indiana University
Justin Hougham’s scholarship is in the areas of place-based pedagogies, STEM, Adventure Learning, and education for sustainability. Additionally, Justin is the co-coordinator for the Idaho Geographic Alliance which works to advance geographic literacy through education. He holds a Ph.D. in education from Washington State University, emphasizing in sustainability and natural resource education. Prior work includes extensive leadership experience in experiential and environmental education programs. Justin has guided broadly across North America, served as director of the Roving Outdoor Conservation School, formerly the Director of Logistics and Field operations for a company operating in Alaska and BC, and instructed several courses in a variety of outdoor disciplines at WSU and UI. Justin continues to teach courses, clinics and trainings that develop pedagogies in experiential education for professionals in outdoor education. Justin’s research is focused on the social dimensions of sustainability, as well as place based pedagogies. Currently, he is deeply involved in efforts relating to climate science, STEM education, and Adventure Learning. Additionally, Justin is active in local food issues and production as an effort towards healthier communities and members therein.
» Email R. Justin Hougham
PhD Education- Sustainability and Place Based Education, Washington State University; EdM Education- Leadership, Washington State University; B.A. Cognitive Science, Indiana University
Justin Hougham’s scholarship is in the areas of place-based pedagogies, STEM, Adventure Learning, and education for sustainability. Additionally, Justin is the co-coordinator for the Idaho Geographic Alliance which works to advance geographic literacy through education. He holds a Ph.D. in education from Washington State University, emphasizing in sustainability and natural resource education. Prior work includes extensive leadership experience in experiential and environmental education programs. Justin has guided broadly across North America, served as director of the Roving Outdoor Conservation School, formerly the Director of Logistics and Field operations for a company operating in Alaska and BC, and instructed several courses in a variety of outdoor disciplines at WSU and UI. Justin continues to teach courses, clinics and trainings that develop pedagogies in experiential education for professionals in outdoor education. Justin’s research is focused on the social dimensions of sustainability, as well as place based pedagogies. Currently, he is deeply involved in efforts relating to climate science, STEM education, and Adventure Learning. Additionally, Justin is active in local food issues and production as an effort towards healthier communities and members therein.
» Email R. Justin Hougham
Brian Brooks, Kitchen Manager
B.S. Conservation Social Science, University of Idaho. During high school and through college Brian has worked in the food and kitchen industry during the semesters and worked in natural resource fields in the summers. Brian has worked in the salmon canneries of Alaska, inspected produce crops for the State of Idaho, prepared these foods in restaurant kitchens, and served as a waiter. These experiences have given him a broad spectrum of harvest-to-table knowledge and quality food production. Aside from his work within the College of Natural Resources at the University of Idaho, Brian has also been the Community Forester for the City of Moscow, Idaho, and a Crew Leader with the Student Conservation Association based in the Appalachian Mountains. Brian has grown up in Idaho and has traveled to every corner of the state in pursuit of the wild. He enjoys fly fishing backcountry rivers and alpine lakes, backpacking miles into Idaho's many ranges, hunting big game, rock climbing, cycling, carving the slopes on skis or a board, and any active outdoor activity. The only thing he loves more than the outdoors is enlightening others by sharing these special experiences. Brian is WFA certified, plays guitar, loves movies, y se habla español. He plans on attaining his Master of Natural Resources while at MOSS and grow as an individual, and as a member of the MOSS team.
» Email Brian Brooks
B.S. Conservation Social Science, University of Idaho. During high school and through college Brian has worked in the food and kitchen industry during the semesters and worked in natural resource fields in the summers. Brian has worked in the salmon canneries of Alaska, inspected produce crops for the State of Idaho, prepared these foods in restaurant kitchens, and served as a waiter. These experiences have given him a broad spectrum of harvest-to-table knowledge and quality food production. Aside from his work within the College of Natural Resources at the University of Idaho, Brian has also been the Community Forester for the City of Moscow, Idaho, and a Crew Leader with the Student Conservation Association based in the Appalachian Mountains. Brian has grown up in Idaho and has traveled to every corner of the state in pursuit of the wild. He enjoys fly fishing backcountry rivers and alpine lakes, backpacking miles into Idaho's many ranges, hunting big game, rock climbing, cycling, carving the slopes on skis or a board, and any active outdoor activity. The only thing he loves more than the outdoors is enlightening others by sharing these special experiences. Brian is WFA certified, plays guitar, loves movies, y se habla español. He plans on attaining his Master of Natural Resources while at MOSS and grow as an individual, and as a member of the MOSS team.
» Email Brian Brooks
Jimmy Vidoni, Maintenance Coordinator
Carpenter Apprentice: Penns Valley, PA; B.A. Environmental Studies with minor in Photography: Edinboro University of PA
Jimmy is from Northwestern Pennsylvania. He has been living in McCall and working at MOSS since September 2010. Jimmy has many interests including hiking, fishing, canoeing, snowboarding, and photography.
» Email Jimmy Vidoni
Carpenter Apprentice: Penns Valley, PA; B.A. Environmental Studies with minor in Photography: Edinboro University of PA
Jimmy is from Northwestern Pennsylvania. He has been living in McCall and working at MOSS since September 2010. Jimmy has many interests including hiking, fishing, canoeing, snowboarding, and photography.
» Email Jimmy Vidoni