Our People
Admin Team
Drew Dumsch
President & CEO
MA (1993) University of Tennessee, BA (1990) Kalamazoo College (both degrees in English).
Drew has worked as an environmental educator in California, Massachusetts, Tennessee and the Chicago area and since 1991 has been an ecologist, naturalist and educator in Saco, Maine. He co-founded The Ecology School in 1998 and is an active member of the Maine Environmental Education Association (MEEA) and the Nature Based Education Consortium (NBEC). Drew also works closely with the Association of Nature Center Administrators (ANCA) and the ELLMS Network-- Environmental Living & Learning for Maine Students-- to promote the work of residential environmental learning centers nationally and in Maine. When not working to advance the cause of ecology, local food systems and sustainability education, Drew spends his time with his wife, Lisa, and two teenagers, Nico and Sophia, on the Nonesuch River behind their house.
Stacy Faivre
Communications Coordinator
Stacy’s passion for community connection and sustainable living/farming is what brought her to The Ecology School. Originally from New Jersey, Stacy will never get bored of Maine’s natural landscape and loves to enjoy it on land or the water. Stacy became a Registered Maine Guide in 2020 to deepen her knowledge of plant identification and outdoor safety, while also helping others to come as they are and enjoy getting outside. Stacy loves crafting, baking sourdough bread, printmaking, listening to a good record, or going on a hike or paddle with her partner, Craig & their dog, Rey.
Alex Grindle
Director of Learning Experiences
BA (2001) in Environmental Studies & Politics from Oberlin College.
Alex began her career at The Ecology School in the spring of 2002 as an educator and stepped into an administrative position in January of 2004. At The Ecology School, she is responsible for coordinating all aspects of The Ecology School program. She and her husband Peter spend most of their non-work time enjoying the antics of their twin boys. When not totally wrapped up in the day to day of caring for their boys , some of the other things she finds herself doing include: enjoying being outside in just about any capacity (beekeeping and gardening), reading (especially if it is young adult literature or parenting books), or being a sous chef as her husband Peter cooks scrumptious meals.
Meg Edstrom Jones
Director of Educational Partnerships
MEd (2004) in Elementary Education from the University of Maine. BA (2001) in Philosophy and Religion from Colgate University.
Meg has taught in many settings; on mountains, along rivers, in the classroom and at the beach. When not enjoying The Nature, Meg can be found touching her toes, training to be Wonder Woman, or adventuring with her husband, Clay, and their two avid explorers Evan and Clayton Vee. After starting her Ecology School career as an educator in the spring of 2007, she quickly joined the administrative team, coordinating our multi-year curriculum, in addition to summer and vacation camps. Meg can also be found dashing around, presenting workshops at regional and national conferences.
Tori Kleinbort
Business Development Manager
B.A. (2010) Sarah Lawrence College
M.E.M. (2014) in Coastal Environmental Management from Duke University
Originally from Chicago, Tori’s passion for the ocean began during her time in college when she had the chance to spend a semester sailing from the Caribbean to New Bedford, MA on the Spirit of Massachusetts and a semester living in the Galapagos Islands studying environmental conservation. Through these experiences Tori discovered the power of immersive education and has spent the last 15 years of her career developing, implementing and marketing inclusive, immersive and awe-inspiring educational programs for people of all ages taking place in both built and natural environments. Tori started her relationship with The Ecology School in the Spring of 2012 as an educator and couldn’t be more excited to return as the Business Development Manager! Having recently relocated to Maine from Charleston, SC you can find Tori at the gym training for her next PR, singing, baking, writing a new stand-up routine to try out on stage, or enjoying the outdoors with her partner Cody and their dog Riot and cat Figgy.
Jess Kotrick
Educator Lead
BS (2024) Environmental Sciences concentrating in Biology from the University of North Carolina Wilmington.
Jess grew up in the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains, fostering her love for environmental science and outdoor education. As a recent graduate from the University of North Carolina Wilmington, Jess has spent the last four years working and advocating to conserve coastal North Carolina. In her free time, Jess enjoys hiking, camping, pottery, and playing the guitar.
Rich O'Brien
Director of Operations & Food Services
In 2019, Rich joined our full time staff as our Operations Manager. Prior to this, Rich had been working seasonally as our chef since 1991. In partnership with Pangea Food Service Management, which was established by Rich in 1998, The Ecology School has been able to provide a holistic food experience, sharing the story of food with our participants, and highlighting the connections between food, humans and the environment. Rich now works closely with each member of our Team to ensure that the site runs smoothly.
Meg Rogers
Development Manager
MS (2008) Montessori Education from Xavier University. BS (2002) in Journalism from Ohio University.
Meg has been an early childhood educator and also worked in program management and development at a Rhode Island nonprofit prior to joining The Ecology School. Meg is inspired by her memories of a childhood spent mostly outdoors (before cell phones!) riding bikes, making "nature stew" and building forts. She is excited to be at a place that offers the context and setting for everyone to connect with, play amongst, and learn from our surroundings. Meg stays busy trying to keep up with her two young sons, exploring her new home state of Maine, cooking plant-based meals, reading, and attempting to ski and surf.
Wyatt Steffensen
Program Coordinator
Wyatt is someone who loves spending days outside rain, snow, or shine. He spent time on the North Shore of Minnesota studying Environmental and Outdoor Education at the University of Minnesota Duluth before making the move out to Maine. He's passionate about connecting people to each other and to the natural world. He started at The Ecology School as an Ecology Educator in the spring of 2022. Wyatt enjoys going on flaneuring walks, jumping in cold bodies of water, curating his Spotify playlists, and always looking for vintage & thrifted clothing.
Marguerite Wiser
Farm Manager
Bachelor of Arts, Honors in English/Environmental Studies, St. Lawrence University
For the past several years Marguerite has enjoyed working on farms and gardens in Maine and beyond. She enjoys spending time outdoors, growing colorful vegetables, and does her very best to not get sunburned! She's excited to join the team at The Ecology School, and can't wait to get growing.
Support Team
Carine Bomolo - Operations Support Staff
Guy Emerson - Maintenance Staff
Kyle Fisher - Cook
The majority of Kyle's experience in the kitchen comes from busy restaurants, where he has worked for 19 years. With his love for ecology and conservation and passion for cooking, he knew an opportunity at The Ecology School would be a perfect fit! Kyle enjoys hiking, fishing, hunting, and reading as well as spending time with his dog, Dingo.
Allison Johnson - School Programs Health Coordinator
Allison was born and raised in Winthrop Maine. She graduated with a BS from Allegheny College in 2021, double majoring in Biochemistry and Environmental Science & Sustainability. Serving the Ecology School is at the nexus of her passions, and she loves working with all the kids who come through. When she not at The Ecology School, she’s working as an WEMT or ski patrolling at Sugarloaf.
Hodete Matussandra - Operations Support Supervisor
Nicole Newton - Operations Support Staff
Ecology Educators
Mia Cecchittini
Mia is an aspiring Biology teacher who is passionate about learning to better support adolescents in their science learning journey. She has a background in working with special needs children and teenagers, which she also applies to working with neurotypical to support them on an individual level. In her free time, she likes to dance, rock climb, and spend time with her family’s foster dogs.
Ayane Garrison
Ayane is a graduate from Vassar College with a BA in Biology and has a background in wildlife research and fieldwork. They love to be outdoors, work hands-on, and be excited about nature with kids. They are passionate about inclusivity, community, and accessibility in science. In their free time, Ayane loves to go birding, hiking, make art, and look for critters.
Livvy Eickerman
Livvy is from Seattle, WA and graduated from Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA this past spring with a degree in Biology and Environmental Studies. She loves working at the intersection of humans and the environment -- with experience in ecological research, working with children, and farm work, she is excited to join the Ecology School's team and explore Maine and the Northeast. Her favorite things to do include backpacking, making art, reading, and playing card games!
Ryan Kipnis
Ryan grew up in the mountains of Northern New Mexico and graduated from Emerson College with a B.F.A in Theatre Education in 2024. She specializes in hands-on experiential learning that promotes community connections, social and emotional development, and trauma recovery. Ryan is passionate about exploring how being in nature helps people connect more deeply to themselves, each other, and the environment around them. When she is not exploring outside, Ryan enjoys good books, live music, and silly theatre games. She is so excited about the opportunity to teach in Maine!
Parker LaFreniere
Parker has worked in outdoor and experiential education for eight years. His adventures in this field have taken him to Wyoming, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and now Maine! Parker is passionate about connecting people to the outdoors and helping students achieve their goals. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, camping, learning new crafts, listening to audiobooks, and wood carving.
Hana Malone
Hana is from way down south in Olney, MD. She graduated from Guilford College in Greensboro, NC with a BS in Biology and Environmental Studies. Hana is coming to us from another outdoor education school closer to the Chesapeake Bay, Echo Hill Outdoor School where she helped teach kids about the Bay and the differing ecosystems that surround the Bay. Hana dreams of being able to evaluate environmental factors that change one's health, specifically in low-income communities and is currently considering making teaching her dream job in the meantime- as she loves being outside and is super excited for the opportunity to explore and teach in Maine!
Christian Roch
Christian is from the beautiful state of Colorado. She recently graduated from Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA with a degree in Anthropology and Environmental Studies. She is interested in the cultural connections between humans and nature — particularly through food systems, recreation, and science. She has a background in working with children in outdoor education, and is passionate about making the outdoors more accessible to all. In her free time, Christian loves running, skiing, cooking, painting, and playing with her two puppies.
Ellie Shea
Star Sweet
Star graduated with a degree in Outdoor Education in 2020 and has been working in the field ever since! Most recently she was an educator at Camp Jekyll 4H in Georgia, where she learned a lot about coastal ecology. When Star is not teaching, she enjoys reading, writing, watching anime, hiking, and sword fighting.
Ren Wittenstein
Ren grew up outside Chicago and graduated with their Masters in Social Work in 2022. After they graduated, they joined the Montana Conservation Corp and fell in love with the outdoors. Since their term in Montana, they have worked at a K-8th school, led hiking trips in Iceland and worked on a farm in Connecticut. When they're not playing outside, Ren loves reading, collaging and spending time with their friends and family.
Aaron Yang
Aaron is from Minnesota and graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth with a degree in Biology in 2022 with a minor in Philosophy. He spent much of 2023 working in the parks of Minneapolis doing conservation work. He enjoys fishing, going on walks, and generally exploring the area around him. He also enjoys games of all kinds. He is looking forward to exploring the state of Maine.
Farm Apprentices
Clayton Coleman
Farm Assistant
Clayton started here as an Ecology Educator in Fall 2019 and is now in his second year on the farm. He grew up in California, but his work in education and conservation has taken him around the globe—from monitoring shore bird hatchlings in New Zealand to teaching marsh ecology in Rhode Island. He loves the community he has found at The Ecology School, and is grateful everyday to work outside where he can observe the changing of the seasons and munch on fresh veggies!
Avi Mondak & Jo Ellis (from left)
2024 Student Farm Apprentices