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
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
BRENNAN WELLS
For as long as I can remember, I have had a passion for the outdoors and the natural world. I'm originally from Indiana, and spent most of my childhood going to zoos and aquariums, reading animal books, and trying to catch anything that slithered, crawled, or hopped (much to the dismay of my more squeamish family members). This love for animals led me towards obtaining a degree in Zoology at Ball State University, and shortly after that I moved to Springfield to work as an educator at Wonders of Wildlife! My goal as an educator is to allow students/campers to make lasting memories, while also learning about how fascinating our planet is! Nothing makes me feel more joy than inspiring others to care for the outdoors as much as I do. I am so eager and excited to share my enthusiasm!
FUN QUOTE OR MOTTO
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. — Wayne Gretzky — Michael Scott"
– Brennan Wells
FAVORITE THING TO TEACH
Zoology (Mammology, herpetology, ornithology... all the -ologies honestly!)
Archery
Environmental Science
Birdwatching
Conservation
BAILEY MEESEY
Ever since I was a kid, I loved the outdoors, I looked up to adventurous characters like Lara Croft, Indiana Jones, and Temprance Brennan. These fictional figures sparked a curiosity that I had to chase, all the way into a degree in Anthropology from Missouri State University. Through this anthropological lens, I tend to see the world as a rich interconnected story with complex characters, traditions, and connections. I blend my love for nature and my passion for history and culture-whether it is learning to flint-nap or exploring the ways people interact with their environment. My goal is to share that passion with others, help them connect to the past, understand the present, and find joy in their own learning journeys.
FUN QUOTE OR MOTTO
"I believe that the most important single thing, beyond disipline and creativity, is daring to dare."
– Maya Angelou
FAVORITE THING TO TEACH
History (Ancient, U.S. History, etc.)
Archaeology
Prehistoric Predators
Paleontology
Outdoor Adventures
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: [email protected]