Meet Our Educators
Educating the Next Generation
With our expert team of educators as their guide, your child will interact with live animals, conduct in-depth experiments, create masterpieces and learn new skills in a safe and positive environment.
Meet our team of educators below and learn a little about each one!
MISTY MITCHELL
Prior to coming to Wonders of Wildlife, I was an animal keeper at Dickerson Park Zoo. While there I raised many baby animals including cheetahs, maned wolf, and river otter. I have been at Wonders of Wildlife since 2001 and was part of the construction team. I love educating youth about the outdoors and conservation.
FUN QUOTE OR MOTTO
"In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we are taught."
- Baba Dioum, 1968.
"Be Curious!"
FAVORITE THING TO TEACH
Outdoors
Conservation
NICHOLE GUMM
I grew up on a small farm in Southwest Missouri. I started my career at Wonders of Wildlife as a part-time Educator while attending college, where I developed a passion for teaching and connecting people to the outdoors. Now, I manage an incredible team and love the Ozarks, believing it to be one of the most magical places on earth. Meeting guests and summer camp kids is one of my favorite parts of my job!
FUN QUOTE OR MOTTO
"It's not how much we have, but how much we enjoy that makes happiness!" or "We all live downstream."
FAVORITE THING TO TEACH
Agriculture
Conservation
Growing Your Own Food
ASHLEE ROWEN
I am so excited for my first year of summer camps at Wonders of Wildlife. I have lived all over the United States, from Texas, to Montana, and have loved exploring the outdoors here in Missouri. Before coming to WOW, I was a Youth Director in Nebraska and spent my spare time coaching collegiate soccer. Now I have the coolest job ever working with an amazing team and learning new things every day!
FUN QUOTE OR MOTTO
"Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire."
- William Butler Yeats
FAVORITE THING TO TEACH
Reading
Writing
Nature Journaling
ASHLEY STEED
I'm thrilled to be here at WOW camp. I am from Thayer, MO, and have been part of the WOW family since 2021. I'm looking forward to meeting both new and familiar faces this year! Christmas is my favorite holiday, and I'm a big fan of the Kansas City Chiefs and the St. Louis Cardinals. I also have a mini goldendoodle named Khloe who brings so much joy to my life. My favorite colors are pink, purple, and red. Let's make this camp experience unforgettable!
FUN QUOTE OR MOTTO
"You are braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think."
- Christopher Robin
ANNE MILLER
I have the coolest job speaking on behalf of Mother Earth! My passion is teaching others about our planet, its complex systems, and the diversity of organisms that coexist here. I especially love working with kids, sharing their energy and creativity. I'm lucky to work with a team and guests who care about conservation. I've been married for 24 years, raising four amazing children and 3 rescue dogs. Our family loves traveling and trying new foods and experiences. I love my crazy, busy life!
FUN QUOTE OR MOTTO
"You don't need a cape to be a hero. You just need to care."
- Kid President
FAVORITE THING TO TEACH
Resident & Transient PNW Orcas
Mycelium
Ecosystem Interconnectedness & Diversity.
ERIK CEPEDA
This is my third year of teaching summer camps at Wonders of Wildlife. I try to fill my classes with fun crafts, games, and activities. I enjoy it when my students are passionate about wildlife and ask tons of questions! I am excited to share my knowledge of conservation with my students to help them become positive stewards of the natural world.
FUN QUOTE OR MOTTO
"You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you.”
- Dr. Jane Goodall
FAVORITE THING TO TEACH
Ecology
Animal Adaptations
Marine Science
KEVIN PLATH
I knew from the moment I first attended a zoo summer camp in 5th grade that I wanted to be a conservation educator, so I always enjoy seeing campers who harbor that same interest in becoming lifelong learners. I love helping kids train broader real-world skills while learning conservation, so expect lots of kids excitedly throwing words like “Socratic” and “externality” into conversations after camp---and having the knowledge to back them up. Expect lots of photos of games, catapults, and mad science!
FUN QUOTE OR MOTTO
“Your classroom is like a restaurant, and if you can give even one camper an experience they’ll look back on fondly years from now, that’s your Michelin star.”
FAVORITE THING TO TEACH
Invertebrates
Wildlife In Different Cultures
Ancient History
Things Wonderfully Weird
EMILY SAPPINGTON
I was born and raised right here in Springfield, Missouri. I went to Missouri State and studied wildlife conservation and management and forestry. I am so excited to teach you about animals, their habitats, and so many other cool things this summer!
FUN QUOTE OR MOTTO
“In a world where you can be anything, be kind."
FAVORITE THING TO TEACH
Animal Adaptations
The Food Web
Interesting Facts
GRACE ROCKERS
I’m originally from Kansas and have been teaching at WOW since October 2024. I have worked at two different nature centers before coming to WOW and have worked a lot of amazing animals. I grew up going to summer camp and I’m excited to help to teach everyone about the outdoors and nature!
FUN QUOTE OR MOTTO
“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not”
FAVORITE THING TO TEACH
Birds of prey
Reptiles
Amphibians
Outdoor Recreation
ANNA SEYMOUR
I am from Springfield, MO. I love anything outdoors but specifically fishing and kayaking! As well as my dog, I have a leopard gecko named Haze, and 2 turtles named Shelly and Rex! I started volunteering at WOW 3 years ago and now I am a full time Educator. I look forward to learning some cool things with you this summer!
FUN QUOTE OR MOTTO
“My job, my mission, the reason I've been put on this planet, is to save wildlife.”
– Steve Irwin
FAVORITE THING TO TEACH
Missouri Natives
Marine Biology
Paleontology
PATRICK MITCHELL
This will be my second-year teaching summer camp at WOW. I love technology and the outdoors! I love learning new things about conservation and sharing these things with my students. I also enjoy teaching students and my fellow teachers how technology can be used to educate others about nature.
FUN QUOTE OR MOTTO
"The Earth is what we all have in common."
FAVORITE THING TO TEACH
Cooking
Treasure Hunting
Art
JOSH JONES
I have recently graduated from College of the Ozarks majoring in conservation and ecology, and I'm ready to share what I have learned.
FUN QUOTE OR MOTTO
"Encourage others to be excited about the things that you're excited about."
FAVORITE THING TO TEACH
Everything Outdoors
Insects
Contact Our Education Team
If you have questions about our educational offerings or are interested in booking an experience, please contact our education department.
- Phone: 417-225-1162
- Email: edu@wondersofwildlife.org