Celebrating International Zoo Educators Day

How long have you worked at Houston Zoo and what is your position?
I have been at Houston Zoo for a year and a half as the Teen Programs Specialist. During my time at the Zoo in this position, I have had the chance to mentor so many teens from the greater Houston area, find inspiration in their passion for wildlife and connect them to both local and global conservation efforts.

How did you start your career?
I tell people that I actually stumbled into education by accident. One of my first jobs after graduating from undergrad was working with the Florida Conservation Corps. In that role, I performed a lot of natural resource management but also had many opportunities to lead school groups on field trips at their local state parks. I found I really enjoyed connecting younger generations with the natural environment I loved so much, and I have been working in conservation/environmental education ever since!

What do you love the most about being an educator at the Zoo?
I love coming into work and learning something new every single day. I learn so much from my teen program participants, they are incredibly motivating and inspiring. Their dedication to saving wildlife and creating a culture of conservation gives me hope for the future and I feel very lucky to be able to nurture that in them.

What advice would you give someone wanting to pursue this career choice?
Try everything! Never pass up on an opportunity to do something new or something challenging. I have met so many kind and supportive people at Houston Zoo and my local/national educator networks. This work is impossible to do in a silo, and you never know what opportunity outside of your comfort zone may lead to meeting amazing educators who can have profound impacts on your career.

How long have you worked at Houston Zoo and what is your position?
I’ve been working full time for the Houston Zoo just about two months, but have a handful of summers as a camp Zoofari guide as well as some time as a volunteer in Zoo Crew as a teenager under my belt.

How did you start your career?
I started my career with my time as a volunteer, getting to spend time in a cohort with shared interests and passions, alongside amazing passionate mentors to look up to. Coming back as a camp guide sometime later reignited that passion, which led me to my current position as an interpreter.

What do you love the most about being an educator at the Zoo?
What I love most about being an educator at the Zoo is being able to see the look of wonder or awe in people’s faces. Learning about, interacting with, or even just being around the natural world can elicit so many feelings in people; and being the liaison to invite guests into that world is an incredible gift.

What advice would you give someone wanting to pursue this career choice?
The best advice I could give for someone wanting to pursue education in these spaces would be to follow your passions wherever they lead and wherever you feel aligns with who you are. Not only will you be happier, but that passion shines through and illuminates those around you.

How long have you worked at Houston Zoo and what is your position?
I have been working at the Houston zoo roughly a year and a half, and I am one of the volunteer coordinators.

How did you start your career?
I started my career in AZA as an interpretive specialist in 2019 at Moody Gardens and was promoted to the assistant volunteer coordinator position the same year. In early 2021 I was promoted to the Volunteer Coordinator position where I worked on rebuilding that program after what happened during the pandemic. I then saw a position open here at Houston Zoo, I applied, and I have been here ever since June 2022. I have enjoyed every day here!

What do you love the most about being an educator at the Zoo?
What I love about being in education is seeing the look of inspiration on peoples faces as they learn our animals, and conservation efforts. When a guest, or volunteer learns that just buy coming to the zoo they are saving animals it’s a very special moment to witness. That moment in turn becomes more as they participate in other conversation campaigns. It’s like a small spark starts a chain reaction! If just coming to the Zoo is that small spark for a person to get interested in conservation, then I am all for it.

What advice would you give someone wanting to pursue this career choice?
For this career, I would save always remember that volunteers are just as passionate about your cause and the employees who work at your facility are. Make sure they are treated well as they are giving of their free time to better your cause.