Meet Our Summer Camp Teachers - Dunwoody Nature Center

Our Team

Meet Our Summer Camp Teachers

Holly Loscavio is one of the Nature Center’s longest tenured educators – going back to the summer of 1997 when she first joined our team. Holly has a BS in Conservation Biology from Brigham Young University (’94) and has taught field trip programs, summer camps, scout programs, and preschool programs with the Nature Center. Holly’s popular “Mommy & Me” programs introduce children to a love of nature which they carry with them throughout life. Holly loves to spend time outside with her husband and their blended family of 6 children. In her free time (hah!) Holly enjoys running. She has completed eight marathons and enjoys long runs on the greenway near her home. Holly loves teaching children about nature and their role in preserving the planet. We at the Nature Center are thrilled to have Holly as our summer camp director. Holly can be reached directly via email at camp@dunwoodynature.org

Leslie McCabe has been teaching at the Dunwoody Nature Center since 2019 and currently teaches Georgia PreK after 22 years of teaching K-5 general and special education in the metro Atlanta public school systems. She has a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in early childhood education from University of Georgia. Leslie enjoys sharing her love of the great outdoors with her children by hiking and using Georgia’s natural beauty for immersive, discovery based outdoor education. Above all else, she thrives on inspiring others to experience the splendor of nature and respecting our environment.

Lisha Wedderburn has been teaching at the Dunwoody Nature Center since 2011. She has a BS degree with environmental focus and has taught informal education in nature centers and on the trail. Lisha enjoys sharing her love of the outdoors and educating everyone about nature around us.

Tiffany Perry is currently an elementary substitute teacher in Gwinnett County Public Schools. She has over 10 years of experience in healthcare as a medical assistant. This is her first year teaching at Dunwoody Nature Center. She is excited to meet our campers and ready to have an outstanding summer exploring nature.

Grant Mooney received his Bachelor’s degree from Kennesaw State University and has been teaching high school science and history for a year and a half. He has also taught STEM summer camps and after-school programs. Grant’s favorite part about working at Dunwoody Nature Center is that it provides a fun and safe outdoor experience for the campers. He especially enjoys the peaceful and scenic trails. When Grant is not teaching, he enjoys spending time with family, going on trips, and hiking with his wife in North Georgia.

Bonita Y. Cason-Atlow has been a Lead Educator at Dunwoody Nature Center since 2017. She holds an Associates Degree in Business and has worked as a Teacher’s Assistant at a private school for the last five years. Bonita enjoys helping others and volunteers her time and talents whenever possible. Bonita’s hobbies include teaching children’s yoga, meditation, tennis and she has a passion for gardening and nature.

Sharon Kalahar has been an elementary school teacher for over 30 years. Through travel experiences on 5 continents she has enjoyed learning about different cultures, natural resources and animal habitats. Sharon has enjoyed summer camps and leading field trips at the nature center since 2017.

Jessy Porter is the Media and Educational Technology Instructor (fancy word for librarian) at Woodland Elementary. She is passionate about reading, hiking, and conservation sciences. She hopes to help young nature enthusiasts ignite and nurture their sense of wonder for the outside world. Someday, Jessy plans to become a park ranger for the National Park Service. This will be her fifth year as a summer camp instructor at the Nature Center, and she is so excited to greet the campers!

Heather Wickham has been a Lead Educator with the Dunwoody Nature Center since 2011. She has a B.S. in Secondary English Education, a M.Ed. in Learning, Design, and Technology in K-12, and a Ed.S in Curriculum and Instruction. Although her primary experience is with teenagers, she loves the opportunity of sharing nature camp with children of all ages. Whether her class is exploring nature, creating crafts, or hypothesizing an experiment, it’s sure to be a great week!

John Jenkins is a full time elementary music teacher in Dekalb county, but he has over five years of summer camp experience in various environments. He loves swimming, theme parks and going on walks with his corgi. He is very excited to join the camp team this summer.

Bahar Amalfard is a 2nd grade teacher at Woodland Elementary. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Emory University, and a Master’s Degree in Education from Stanford University. She has taught summer camp at the Dunwoody Nature Center since Summer 2019. Bahar is passionate about outdoor education, and she can’t wait to explore and learn with her campers!

Sue Hebda has taught at Dunwoody Nature Center since 2012. She has taught young children at Dunwoody Baptist Preschool and for the last 15 years at Dunwoody United Methodist Preschool, specifically the kindergarten class for the last 5 years. Her favorite subjects are science and nature, so teaching young children at the Nature Center is a special way to spend the summer!

Lauren Girard has been teaching art in the Metro-Atlanta area for five years after earning a BFA in Art Education from Georgia State University. Education has always been her passion, and she is very excited to share it with the campers at Dunwoody Nature Center! When not teaching, Lauren enjoys traveling, hiking, reading, and spending time with her two cats, who also like to explore the outdoors!