Graduate Educators

We are sharing our passion for the natural world in ways that make a difference. From the headwaters of the Gore Range and Eagle River Valley to the world.

On the front lines

John Ceballos, Graduate Fellow, ext 112
johnc@walkingmountains.org
An outdoor enthusiast from the very start, John was born with the wind on his face in the bed of a pickup truck enroute to the hospital. From these humble beginnings in northern Maine, John branched out to new horizons, traveling to each of the lower 48 states and living  on three continents. As a young person John explored the landscape of the beautiful Champlain Valley, Vermont and dreamed of playing centerfield for the Boston Red Sox.

Today, John spends most of his time exploring the edges of civilization with his willful dog, Riley. When they go fishing, Riley always scares the fish and when they go for a bike ride, she hogs the trail. They both look forward to wintertime when John can try out his new cross country skis and Riley can play in the deep snow.

Professionally, John loves to share positive experiences in nature with others and aspires to observe something new on each trip outdoors. His favorite animal is the coyote and his favorite season is definitely fall.

Jessica Foulis, Graduate Fellow, ext 119
jessicaf@walkingmountains.org

Jessica is from Virginia.  She studied Wildlife Science at Virginia Tech.  In her free time Jessica enjoys mountain biking, rafting, swimming, dancing, twirling, playing fetch with Kelly (her dog) and long walks on the beach.  In the winter, she spends most of her time shredding the gnar on the slopes of Beaver Creek.

Professionally, Jessica has traveled the country and overseas in order to completely understand what it means to adventure.  She has built trails in Denali National park, worked as a hut warden in New Zealand’s Tongariro National Park,  and been a gardener of plants and minds.

All of this has landed Jessica at Walking Mountains Science Center, where she can be found tromping through the forest in the name of natural science education.  When asked how they feel about Jessica pursuing a career adventuring in the woods, her parents stated simply, “Jessica was raised for this job.”

Smiling is her favorite.

Melissa Kline, Graduate Fellow, ext 119
melissak@walkingmountains.org

Melissa credits her love of the natural world to growing up on the Chesapeake Bay. She pursued her ecological thirst at the University of North Carolina at Asheville, where she earned a B.S. in Environmental Studies. After serving a year as an AmeriCorps member with Providence’s Ocean State Environmental Education Collaboration, Melissa was hooked on environmental education. Though she misses the Appalachians, she is thrilled to explore the beautiful Colorado high country with walking mountains and her trusty sidekick, Liza the cat.

In her free time, Melissa enjoys the mountains with knitting needles in hand. She has a passion for fermented foods, and often brings the stinkiest lunch.

Chase Moore, Graduate Fellow, ext 112
chasem@walkingmountains.org

If you visit the Umpqua Valley in Oregon you’ll understand why Chase has a keen and wild fascination with the natural world.  Whether trampling through wilderness areas, floating on makeshift rafts, or sleeping under the stars Chase has always shown a curiosity in understanding this world we call home.  While receiving a B.S. in Life Science from the University of Portland, survival was met with a profound love for cycling.   A backpack and bicycle are two companions in Chase’s life that are always close at hand for new adventures.

Many highlights, both professionally and personally, come from leading backpacking and science camps in the Northwest. Chase gained valuable confidence leading and teaching science programs in the San Juan Islands, Redwoods, Mount St. Helens area, and Canadian Rockies.   Chase adds “I enjoy building a rapport with today’s youth.  It is rewarding teaching science in a fun and exciting manor.  Connecting students with their natural surroundings is a beautiful endeavor.  Kids bring a new level of perspective and enthusiasm.” 

Surviving a Colorado winter will be challenging for Chase without riding his bike.   He plans to cope by carving up the slopes, tromping in the backcountry, and reading a few adventure novels.  Life is grand.

Peter Wadden, Field Science Educator, ext 112
peterw@walkingmountains.org
Pete was born and raised outside Cleveland, Ohio where he developed a love of the outdoors sailing and kayaking on Lake Erie.  His experiences volunteering at a nature center and wildlife rehabilitation center as a teen inspired him to study Environmental Studies and History at Bowdoin College in Maine.  He has since worked as a sailing coach, a language assistant in a high school in France, a trip leader for American high school students in Europe and an environmental educator in Cuyahoga Valley National Park.  

Pete is thrilled to have the opportunity to spend another year exploring the wilds of Colorado.  In his free time he can be found trying to keep up with his dog Wiley using any means available (skis, bike, kayak, raft etc.).