Meet Our Dedicated
Teachers and Staff

Christina is the Semester Director at The Island School. She is a science teacher, outdoor educator, and educational program administrator who has worked in the United Kingdom, Dubai, Bonaire, and the United States. She is also a competitive ultimate frisbee player, an Oregonian, and a lover of the ocean. Christina studied Marine Biology at the University of Oregon before pursuing a Master’s in Biology from Miami University of Ohio. Christina believes in the place-based and hands-on learning model of The Island School—she loves to help students find their potential and grow in confidence and resilience through expeditionary learning, community living, and honing their leadership skills.

Lauren is originally from Baltimore, MD, and first joined The Island School community as a Semester student. She always knew she wanted to return as a teacher one day and that dream first came true in 2017 when Lauren worked for the Summer Term. Since then, Lauren has taught the Histories class, led Down Island Trips, and held the role of Treehouse Dorm Head for the Semester and Summer Term. Lauren is currently the Assistant Director and Dean of Students for the Semester Program.

Claire grew up in Charleston, South Carolina, and loves the coastal life. She cherishes marshland adventures and sun-soaked days. An adventurer at heart, Claire spent many summers island hopping throughout the Caribbean—first as a student and, later, as a PADI dive instructor on live-aboard sailing and diving programs. In college, Claire was eager to better understand the relationship between people and place, and earned a degree in Sociology and Environmental Studies from Wake Forest University. Following her passion for exploration, she made her way to New York City to work in the travel industry. After learning the ropes of the industry, Claire returned to her blue water roots at The Island School.

Alex “Sacha” Haysey is from the U.K., and joined The Island School in January 2025 to work with the Semester program. Sacha has worked on sailing vessels throughout the Caribbean to teach gap year and semester abroad programs, including a program for foster youth in Antigua and the U.S.. When he isn’t working with students, Sacha can be found outdoors adventuring.

Abby was born and raised in Vermont. She graduated with a science education degree from Montana State University in 2021. Since then, she has been working as a substitute teacher, ski instructor, and math tutor.  She has spent several months traveling in Southeast Asia and received her yoga teacher certificate. More recently, she has worked as a long-term high school biology and physics substitute teacher. Abby is our lead Sustainable Systems teacher, head of expeditions, and academic coordinator. She is passionate about outdoor, place-based education; is an avid runner and biker, and enjoys spending time with friends and family.

Jeff is from Manchester, Massachusetts, and graduated from Northwestern University, where he studied Political Science and Business. After working in financial services post-university, he shifted careers towards the world of experiential education to pursue his passion for teaching and the outdoors. Jeff has worked for the Appalachian Mountain Club and led extended outdoor programs for the Voyageur Outward Bound School and YMCA in Minnesota and west Texas. When he’s not on trail or in the classroom, he loves fishing, running and movies.

Maggie was born and raised in Colorado and went to the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, where she studied environmental policy, climate ethics, and climate justice. Maggie has worked in suicide prevention, with political campaigns, and in outdoor education. She has particularly enjoyed working as a backpacking and mountaineering instructor for NOLS. Lately she has enjoyed stints in Wyoming, Alaska, Italy, Greece, and Morocco. In her spare time, Maggie enjoys climbing, mountain biking, playing guitar, and reading poetry.

Ben received his bachelor’s degree in biology from Northwestern College in Iowa, and a M.S. in fisheries and wildlife biology from Clemson University. He has worked as a stream surveyor, botanist, environmental educator, GIS specialist, and geoscience technician in a number of places across North and South America. Ben is excited to be part of The Island School and share his passion for exploration and storytelling.

Chance is originally from Texas and graduated from Davidson College in 2015 with a B.S. in biology and a B.A. in theatre. He’s spent most of his life working in informal education and scientific research, trying to understand the natural world and pass that understanding to the people around him. In 2018, Chance and his wife, Sarah Kathryn, founded a nonprofit focused on science communication. In his free time, you can find Chance staring at insects, catching snakes, trying to identify interesting plants, and being fascinated by the natural phenomena around him.