John has been entertaining and educating kids about nature through song and story since 1985.  His primary goal is to help young people become fascinated with the natural world and dedicated to preserving it.

In 2008 and 2009 John presented song and story programs for thousands of students and adults, including these shools, libraries & concerts.

BACKGROUND

John worked with the Girl Scout Council of Middle Mississippi to create the Rankin County Environmental Learning Center at Camp Wahi near Brandon, MS. (click “Contact John” for participation details)

Designed and built compass course for outdoor education at Gray Center Episcopal Conference Center near Canton, MS. http://graycenter.org

Mississippi Arts Commission Artist Roster educator with JumpstART program sponsored by Parents for Public Schools.  Worked with McWillie Elementary School and Oak Forest Elementary in Jackson Public Schools in 2009.

Mississippi Humanities Council storyteller, Family Reading Bonds six week program at Brown Elementary School. http://www.mshumanities.org/pages/family.asp

Texas Teacher Certification, K-6.

Mississippi Alliance for Arts Education artist and presenter

5th Grade Music Teacher - Wilson Intermediate School, Houston, TX 2002-2006

Physical Education Teacher – Stafford Primary School, Stafford TX 2000-2002

Wrote songs for Telling Trees Project, Stone County Arts Council http://www.mgccc.edu/news/Telling_Trees_gets_another_boost_with_MAC_grant.php

Southwest Regional Director, Houston, Texas - World of Education, 1998 to 2001.  Developed and marketed “Teaching Baskets” from Latin America, Africa, Asia, Mountains and Rain Forests for use as curriculum materials for Texas schools. Educated teachers and students about world cultures and diversity through maps, presentations, songs, stories, and cultural craft items.

Non-Profit Fundraiser - Earth Foundation, 1996 - 1998 Marketed educational products to schools and engaged teachers and students in rainforest and coral reef conservation projects benefiting The Nature Conservancy and National Marine Sanctuary.  www.earthfound.com

Created and produced album, “Sister Water, Brother Sun: Songs and Stories For All Ages.” 1994

Subject of Texas Parks & Wildlife TV documentary, "When Every Day is Earth Day." 1996

Wrote and recorded soundtrack for fundraising video for Hope Center for Girls (Houston), and for    Texas public TV documentary, "Rivers of Life", 1997

Jesse Jones Park & Nature Center, Harris County, TX, First Outreach Director, 1993 – 1995, http://www.hcp4.net/jones/index.htm

National Outdoor Leadership School – Summers of 1981-1984 and 1990-1993. Led sea kayaking courses in Prince William Sound and southeast Alaska. Led wilderness travel courses in Wyoming and Montana.  Coached students in development of leadership skills via wilderness travel, mountaineering and ocean kayaking. http://www.nols.edu

Certified teacher and supervisor, Houston Independent School District at Outdoor Education Center at Camp Olympia 1985-1992 www.hisdoec.com

Education

University of Texas at Tyler, Texas Teaching Certificate, 1985

Master of Divinity,  Iliff School of Theology, Denver, CO, 1983

Vocational education teacher training, University of Wyoming, 1982

B.A. in psychology, Millsaps College, Jackson, MS, 1978.  Graduated cum laude.

Professional Affiliations (past and present)

Mississippi Arts Commission Artist Roster http://www.arts.state.ms.us/artist-roster/index.php

Mississippi Environmental Education Association (Board Member) http://eeinmississippi.org

Mississippi Alliance for Arts Education www.msartsalliance.com  

Parents for Public Schools JumpstART program,       

National Storytelling Network http://www.storynet.org,

Mississippi Children’s Museum Partners

Mississippi Storytellers Guild

Texas Outdoor Educators Association

Texas Association of Environmental Educators

Texas Conference for Social Studies

National Conference on Geographical Education

Rotary International

Association for Experiential Education http://www.aee.org

Texas Music Teachers Association

Waterfest Planning Committee

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration “Environmental Hero Award” for coral reef project at Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, 1999 http://www.outlook.noaa.gov/earthday/sanctuaries.htm

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