U.S. Partner Forum - United States of America

Amanda Syers is a science education specialist at the Annis Water Resources Institute (AWRI) at Grand Valley State University in Michigan. Amanda is also a doctoral candidate at Arkansas State University with a research focus on science education. At AWRI, Amanda specializes in topics and curricula related to the Great Lakes and provides STEM programming and training for K-12 students and teachers, often utilizing GLOBE protocols. Amanda has been a GLOBE educator for over 18 years and has provided support for many GLOBE teacher trainings.  

Organization: Grand Valley State University in Allendale, MI
Contact: syersam (at) gvsu.edu
Service Years: 2024-2026
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The Midwest region is comprised of: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin

Michael Griffith is an Environmental Educator and Watershed Specialist at Berks Nature. He is a mentor trainer for GLOBE and can help get you trained as a GLOBE educator or trainer. Berks Nature uses GLOBE for field trips and professional development with educators, and GLOBE Observer with citizen scientists. Their Ambassadors and Watershed Association members are trained in GLOBE water quality, and they input our volunteer data. 

Organization: Berks Nature in Reading, PA
Contact: michael.griffith (at) berksnature.org
Service Years: 2023-2027

The Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region is comprised of: Delaware, District of Columbia, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia

After 27 years of wrangling teenagers in public school science classrooms, Cheryl Williams has (semi)retired—though she prefers to call it an "educational evolution." She now works part-time for a virtual school, facilitating courses and writing curriculum. With a Master’s in Science Education and a passion for making science engaging, Cheryl has taught a variety of courses, but her favorites are Oceanography and Environmental Science. She has spent 25+ years as a GLOBE teacher and trainer, specializing in phenology, land cover, and microplastics. Additionally, she serves on the council for Polar Educators International, helping to advance polar science education. Cheryl believes that the best science educators are lifelong learners, and she’s eager to support and inspire the next generation of science educators. As a member of the Partner Forum, Cheryl is representing the University of Alaska Fairbanks GLOBE Partnership. 

Organization: University of Alaska Fairbanks
Contact: cherylann99645 (at) gmail.com
Service Years: 2025-2027

The Northwest region is comprised of: Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, Wyoming

Peggy Foletta is a GLOBE Partner and Education Specialist at the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research in California. She was a GLOBE teacher from 1995-2013, Central Valley Partnership Coordinator 2003-2016, and trainer and Partnership Coordinator for Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, 2016-present. GLOBE was the catalyst for years of outdoor studies by her high school students, some who presented their projects internationally at GLOBE conferences. Peggy fell in love with the Monterey Bay and Elkhorn Slough Reserve through teacher trainings and field trips. Peggy continues her passion by immersing students and training teachers using GLOBE activities and protocols in slough habitats and managing the GLOBE partnership. 


Organization: Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve in Watsonville, CA
Contact: peggy (at) elkhornslough.org
Service Years: 2024-2026

The Pacific region is comprised of: California, Nevada, Hawaii

Dr. Deborah McAllister is a UC Foundation Professor in the School of Education at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She works with pre-service and in-service teachers in undergraduate and graduate courses and provides teacher professional development programs on STEM topics. She has been a GLOBE partner and trainer since 2016.

Organization: University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in Chattanooga, TN
Contact: deborah-mcallister (at) utc.edu
Service Years: 2023-2026

The Southeast region is comprised of: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Puerto Rico Territory

Dr. Michael Odell is the co-Director of the UT-Tyler GLOBE Partnership with co-Director Dr. Teresa Kennedy. He serves on the board of the Texas STEM Coalition, an organization that is also a GLOBE Partner. Dr. Odell also works with pre-service teachers and the University Academy Lab Schools to support student research. Dr. Odell has been engaged with GLOBE since 1996. “As the new representative for the Southwest, I want to learn about your partnership and work with you to provide technical assistance or support.” 

Organization: University of Texas at Tyler in Tyler, TX
Contact: mrlodell (at) gmail.com
Service Years: 2023-2025

The Southwest region is comprised of: Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah

Tina Harte Ballinger is Project Manager for GLOBE Goes to Camp with Science Systems and Applications, Inc. as contractor for NASA Goddard in Greenbelt, Maryland. She currently oversees project tasks in support of GLOBE in summer camps and also camp-to-school partnerships throughout the school year. She also works with formal educators conducting GLOBE trainings both virtually and in-person. 

Organization: NASA Langley Research Center in VA
Contact: tina.r.harte (at) nasa.gov
Service Years: 2020-2025

Donna Torres is the Education Manager at INFINITY Science Center in Pearlington, Mississippi. Donna promotes STEM programming throughout her community through her steering committee positions for Excel by 5 and the Mississippi State Home Extension services. Donna conducts GLOBE professional development for educators through INFINITY’s EduPro program and works with the museum team to provide GLOBE programming.

Organization: INFINITY Science Center in Pearlington, MS
Contact: dtorres (at) visitinfinity.com
Service Years: 2023-2026

• Peder Nelson, College of Earth Oceans and Atmospheric Sciences, Northwest Representative, 2022-2024
• Tracy Ostrom, WestEd, Pacific Representative, 2018-2023
• Sarah Nern, Purdue University, 2018-2023
• Jodi Haney, Xcite Learning, At-Large Representative, 2020-2023
• Kimberly Davis, Florida A&M, Southeast Representative, 2021-2023
• Rich Wagner, Metropolitan State University, Southwest Representative, 2020-2023
• Mike Jabot, Institute for Research in Science Teaching, Northeast & Mid-Atlantic Representative 2018-2022
• Anne Lewis, South Dakota Discovery Center, Northwest Representative, 2018-2021
• Garry Harris, Center for Sustainable Communities, Southeast Representative 2018-2020
• Janet Vail, Grand Valley State University, Midwest Representative, 2018-2020
• Todd Toth, NASA Goddard, NASA Representative, 2018-2019
• Jennifer Taylor, CIRES Education Outreach, Southwest Representative, 2018-2019
• Lynne Hehr, University of Arkansas, Southeast Representative, 2014-2017
• Steven Smith, Purdue University, Midwest Representative, 2014-2017; At-Large Representative, 2018-2019
• Sherry Herron, University of Southern Mississippi, Southeast Representative, 2014-2015
• Jessica Taylor, NASA Langley Research Center, Northeast & Mid-Atlantic Representative, 2014-2015
• Janelle Johnson, Metropolitan State University, Southwest Representative, 2014-2015
• Erin Fender, WestEd, Pacific Representative, 2014-2017
• Steve Edberg, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pacific Representative, 2014