My name is Morgan Keohane and I have been a Teacher Librarian for Boston Public Schools since 2013. I have built two library programs from the ground up and am passionate about providing students with the skills needed for inquiry-based learning. I use compelling storytelling to introduce students to citizen science and elevate community collaboration. I have my Masters in Library and Information Science from Simmons University along with my MA K-12 School Library Teacher Certification. I also have a Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Technology from Tufts University. My passion for teaching and learning coincides with my appreciation and curiosity about the natural world. I participated in the 2022 Following Forest Owls in the Western U.S. Teach Earth Program where I was able to actively catch and band wild owls, assisting in research to help gather data about these incredible birds and their nesting habits.

I have been a World Studies 6 teacher in Rochester Community Schools, Michigan, since 2008. My passion is to have students "experience the world". Immersing myself in the learning in Brazil with Earthwatch is a dream of mine. To bring back my experience to my students and showcase how anyone can make a difference in the world is my ultimate goal with the Eartwatch fellowship. As a teacher, I've also taught Mathematics, Global Digital Leadership, Tools for Success, and Language Arts. My masters is in Educational Leadership. I have had a strong passion for experiences the world myself and bring that back to my classroom. In my free time, I love photography, animals, the outdoors, and history. I have a wife who is also a teacher, and two wonderful children.

I am a physics teacher at a STEM magnet school in northern Virginia. I advise my school's Science Bowl Team and Artificial Intelligence Research Group. Outside of school, I lead experiences for teachers related to epistemology in science, climate and energy education, quantum computing, and physics with phones. My goal as a teacher is facilitate kids' journeys as thinkers and collaborators, empowering kids to leave the world better than they found it. I am also passionate about the systems that help teachers grow: I am on the board of STEMteachersNYC and STEMteachersDMV, and I am working on a master's degree in school leadership and supervision. I am grateful to my husband and two young sons for giving me the space to join this trip and connect with researchers, teachers, and nature! There is so much that I'll be bringing back.

Fellow

My name is Emily Garven, and I’m a theater and dance teacher in Boston, MA, where I founded a growing performing arts program at my school. I also serve as the Artistic Director of a children’s theater company, work as a nonprofit consultant focused on accessible arts education and inclusive program design, and produce theatrical work in New York City. I hold a Master’s degree in Arts Administration from Boston University and am a certified DEI consultant through Inclusive Stages. Previously, I served as the Executive Director of a Massachusetts theater and currently sit on the boards of several theater organizations and youth-focused charities. With over 15 years of experience in arts education and leadership, I’m passionate about empowering young people through creative expression and advocating for equity, inclusion, and environmental justice. I joined this fellowship to explore how sustainability and storytelling can intersect to inspire meaningful change in the communities I serve.

I am a kindergarten teacher in Riverside, California. This coming school year will be my 11th. In addition to working as a classroom teacher during this time, I have also served as a teacher on special assignment in charge of coordinating the after school program at my site. In 2009, I earned my BA in Environmental Studies from the University of Redlands, where I was a trip leader for the university's Outdoor Programs as well. My passion for environmental and outdoor education has continued in my work with youth, and I am excited take all that I learn in the Brazilian Mata Atlântica and use it inspire and strengthen future programs for the students who I serve. Outside of this work, I enjoy playing and coaching rugby, admiring the arts, and loving and being loved by my wonderful wife, kids, and grandkids.

My name is Chasitie aka Ms. Neal. I'm a special education and STEAM educator from Chicago’s West Side. I’ve spent over a decade in public education, where I strive to create inclusive, student-centered classrooms that blend literacy, technology, and the arts. My work focuses on amplifying student voice, especially for those with learning differences and those who’ve been historically underserved. As a proud pub lic school alum, teacher-leader, and mother to a brilliant and curious preschooler, I’m constantly inspired to help young people connect with the world around them. I’ve had the opportunity to coach educators, lead district-wide professional development, and build powerful partnerships that link classrooms to real-world experiences. I currently serve on the Shedd Aquarium Teacher Advisory Council and am deeply passionate about environmental justice, which made this Earthwatch expedition to Brazil a dream come true. For me, teaching is about more than content, it’s about community, curiosity, and creating spaces where students can see themselves as scientists, artists, leaders, and change-makers. This journey is a reminder that I’m still a learner too, and I’m bringing all of it back home to my students and my daughter.

Hello! My name is Pooja Arora, and I’m a high school Math teacher based in Phoenix, Arizona. Originally from India, I’ve spent the past 13 years in education, helping students explore not only academic concepts but also their roles as global citizens. At my school, I proudly sponsor several student organizations, including the Travel Club, National Honor Society, and I also coach our Chess Team — a game I truly love both playing and teaching.

Beyond the classroom, I’m deeply passionate about environmental conservation and believe strongly in the importance of coexisting with non-human species. In a time when deforestation and habitat loss are accelerating, I see reforestation as not just important — but essential. I feel a deep responsibility to do something meaningful for Mother Nature.

My primary goal in joining this Earth Watch Expedition was to deepen my understanding of the relationship between mammals and reforested habitats, and to bring that knowledge back to my students and school community. I want to empower young minds to think critically, act responsibly, and become advocates for conservation — because the future of this planet depends on the actions we inspire today.