Meet Our Dedicated
Teachers and Staff

Christina is the Director of Visiting Programs and the Summer Term. She is a science teacher, outdoor educator, and educational program administrator who has worked in the UK, 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 MA in Biology from Miami University of Ohio. More recently she attended the University of Exeter for a Postgraduate Certificate in Education. Christina is so excited to help students learn, grow, and develop as global citizens.

Meet Allie, an outdoors enthusiast whose deep bond with nature led to a lifelong passion. With a diverse background in wilderness pursuits like backpacking, rock climbing, and kayaking, she’s channeled her love for the outdoors into an educational career. llie studied Ecology and Evolution at the University of Washington before pursuing a MA in Environmental Studies and Education for Sustainability from Prescott College In her 13+ years as an educator, Allie has crafted immersive learning experiences, guiding students to learn through hands-on activities.. As The Dean of Academics, she’s committed to providing transformative education that nurtures eco-conscious, sustainability-minded, adventurous, and empathetic individuals.

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.

Adam grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, and received his Bachelor’s degree in anthropology and global sustainability from the University of Virginia. He has spent time studying and working on environmental issues in Hawai’i, New Zealand, the wider South Pacific, the Spanish Basque Country, and the Caribbean. Most recently, he worked for a global forestry consulting firm based in Washington, D.C., before rejoining the Island School community in June 2019 to work for our Visiting Programs. Adam is the Dean of Faculty at The Island School and also directs the morning exercise program, the semester mentor program, and teaches Creative Writing & Storytelling. In his free time he enjoys surfing, freediving, trying to improve his Spanish, and playing music. He is also a certified meditation teacher.

George grew up in Bath, UK and studied Marine Conservation at the University of Plymouth’s Marine Institute. During his studies he gained experience in field research and social science research investigating human connection to marine environments and the use of education as a means of change. He is a ‘life-long learner’ and combines formal education with real-world experience and application. George previously worked as an environmental educator, teaching students and developing other educators. He loves combining experiential education with storytelling to share the experiences of Ocean citizens around the world. He is passionate about mentoring and is inspired by the journeys shared between mentor and mentee. In his free time, George enjoys scuba diving, snorkeling and paddling.

Caroline is originally from Wellesley, Massachusetts. She majored in English with a concentration in Creative Writing at Northwestern University and studied for a semester at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand. Through AmeriCorps and College Possible, Caroline served as a college counselor for low-income students in Seattle and Federal Way Public Schools. Caroline has led backpacking programs on Minnesota’s Superior Hiking Trail, Vermont’s Long Trail, Iceland’s Laugavegur Trail, and Switzerland’s Alpine Pass Route and loves to swim and bike around Eleuthera. She is grateful for the opportunity to teach and learn at The Island School.

Having grown up in Charleston, South Carolina, Claire loves the coastal life, cherishing marsh adventures and sun-soaked days. An adventurer at heart, she 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, earning 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 is excited to return to her blue water roots at The Island School.

Quinn’s relationship with the Caribbean began when he moved to the island of St. Croix to work in permaculture and sustainable systems. A lover of the humanities, he has always been interested in cultural immersion and place-based learning. While studying anthropology and archaeology at NYU, he found a way to blend these two interests, conducting fieldwork on the Caribbean coast of Belize. Quinn is eager to continue to learn and grow alongside a group of motivated students. In his free time, Quinn enjoys making pottery, running, and lounging on the beach.

Abby was born and raised in the state of 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. She is passionate about outdoor, place-based education and cannot wait to explore that more on Eleuthera.

Growing up in the Ocean State, Sophie spent most of her time in or by the water. Her Rhode Island roots brought her to Eleuthera for the first time in Spring 2017 as a Semester student. She went on to study at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School where she double majored in Marine Affairs and Ecosystem Science & Policy and minored in Creative Writing. She is particularly interested in how writing and art forms can be used as educational tools to engage communities in environmental policy. Having spent many summers as a camp counselor, Sophie strives to bring her energy and compassion to the communities she works with and can’t wait to inspire students to discover their own power as leaders. In her free time, Sophie loves spending time with friends and family, playing in the ocean, writing, and kickboxing. 

Lulu is from Dedham, Massachusetts, and graduated in May 2024 from Middlebury College in Vermont. At Middlebury, Lulu studied Biology and minored in Math and Global Health while continuing to engage with her love for the outdoors. She also studied abroad at The University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand her junior year. In the past, Lulu has worked in labs studying a wide range of things from insect communication to CTE, and the intersection of pollution and disease. Lulu loves backpacking, skiing, running, reading, and painting. She is also a proud Island School Spring ‘19 alumni!

Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, Ali spent her summers at beaches along the state’s coast, where she first discovered her love for the water. She received her bachelor’s degree in English and History from Tufts University and her master’s in Hospitality from New York University. Since graduating, she has lived on Eleuthera as well as in New York City. Most recently, she was working in the hospitality industry as a maître d’, but prior to that, she interned with the gap semester program at The Island School and volunteered in food education. Ali is passionate about the outdoors, food and connection, and in her free time, she loves to be in nature, do the crossword and play board games.

Cate grew up in London, England, and graduated from Barnard College in New York in 2024. Cate found her interest in outdoor education and environmental science at The Island School, where she was a student in the Expeditionary Summer Term in 2017. At Barnard, Cate studied Environmental Science and Biology and studied abroad with the Sea Education Association, furthering her love of outdoor education. Cate has worked in labs studying the oceans and climate as well as teaching in classrooms around the world. She loves swimming, sailing, running, and diving in her free time.

Em was born in Australia and raised in a small beach town, where she spent most of her childhood in the water and fascinated by marine life. She studied Marine Biology at James Cook University in Far North Queensland, Australia, right on the Great Barrier Reef. Em has presented at symposiums on shark conservation and contributed to large-scale conservation projects. She has developed a passion for outdoor education through her work as an outdoor educator and guide in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States.Outside of work, Em enjoys surfing, climbing, hiking, and spending time in nature.

Giacomo grew up close to Milan, Italy, and moved abroad for the first time at 17 where he spent a year as an exchange student in the U.S. After mastering his English fluency and becoming familiar with American culture, he received his Bachelor’s in International Relations at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan. He went on to obtain his Master’s in Environment and Society Studies at Radboud University in the Netherlands, after completing his research project during his internship at the headquarters of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Bonn, Germany. After moving to Tenerife, Spain, he fell in love with the island life, exploring a deeper connection with nature and the ocean. Giacomo is passionate about foreign languages, soccer, skiing, snorkeling, and hiking.

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.

Katie grew up in Long Beach, California, where she fostered a deep connection to marine life. She received her bachelor’s from San Diego State University where she studied Journalism with a minor in Sustainability. While in school, she grew passionate about the kelp forest ecosystem and decided to explore the outdoor education field. She has worked as an educator and naturalist on Catalina Island and Grand Cayman, connecting students and adults to the kelp forest, mangrove, and coral reef ecosystems. Inspired by her semester studying abroad in Italy in college, Katie returned to Europe last year and worked as a teaching assistant in Spain. In her free time, she loves traveling, camping, and anything related to the ocean such as snorkeling and scuba diving.

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.

Mia is a Pacific Northwest girl born and raised. She attended the University of Oregon and developed a love for outdoor education while studying on the big island of Hawaii. During college, Mia worked as a kayak tour guide in the Seattle area. After graduating, she worked for a climate media group before moving to Spain to pursue her interest in teaching. Mia fell in love with education and has since then worked as an outdoor educator and preschool teacher. Mia loves reading, all animals but especially dogs, music, and playing sports.