Staff Directory

Meredith von Trapp received her undergraduate degree in Environmental Education from Western Washington University in 2000. She then worked a variety of jobs in the field like SCA volunteer Ranger in Katmai National Park and Waskowitz Naturalist! After working as a Naturalist she earned her Master’s in Teaching from City University in Bellevue. For the next ten years, she taught 5^th grade at North Bend Elementary and infused her passion for the environment by creating and facilitating staff and student green teams, taking her students on walking field trips to the Snoqualmie River and leading the 5^th graders on their annual trip to outdoor school. She has returned to Waskowitz as a National Board Certified Teacher to support teachers in their magical journey helping students explore the diversity of people and nature. She hopes to inspire students to be life-long learners and responsible stewards of their community and the planet as a whole. In her spare time, she can be found exploring the forest with her family, baking or reading a good book!

Email: meredith.vontrapp@highlineschools.org

April Roe's passion for clean water and healthy ecosystems led her to earn a bachelor of science degree in Environmental Resource Management from Penn State. After graduation, she moved to Washington to accept an AmeriCorps position with Thurston County Stream Team. Immediately falling in love with the Pacific Northwest, she enjoyed spending her days outside with inquisitive students and volunteers. April continued her career as the Education Director for Nisqually Reach Nature Center. She discovered an affinity for residential outdoor programming while developing summer camps. She is ecstatic to now work at a facility dedicated to residential outdoor education and embraces the abundant magic nature provides for all.

Email: April.Roe@highlineschools.org

Tyler was born and raised in Texas, as a child he connected with nature by playing outdoor games and going on adventures with family and friends.  Tyler discovered his passion for education while attending Texas Tech University for Wildlife Biology.  He has worked as an educator at a wildlife rehabilitation center, science museum, and multiple outdoor schools around the country.  Before Waskowitz he was the Lead Teacher Naturalist at the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont.  He is excited to coordinate with the Waskowitz Environmental Leadership and Service (WELS) program and to support our students' leadership goals. Tyler enjoys backpacking, ice hockey, board games, cooking, and birding.

Email: Tyler.Gonzales@highlineschools.org

Cora Delores found her niche in education during her time working as a paraeducator and attending West Chester University in West Chester, Pennsylvania where she obtained a Master of Science degree in Geosciences. During her thesis research she reminisced on her childhood summers spent camping throughout western Washington and decided to pursue a career in outdoor education there. She hopes to one day become a certified educator. She has been inspired by many scientists throughout her life, namely Lynn Margulis and Rachel Carson. During her spare time Cora enjoys reading, spending time with her family, and hiking with her dog Keanu while looking for new rocks to add to her ever expanding rock collection.

Aslan grew up in Utah, exploring the canyons and mountains with his family. Aslan considers himself a conservationist. He received his bachelor’s in wildlife and Wildland conservation from Brigham Young University. After graduating, he began working at Arrowhead Ranch Outdoor school in the Bernardino Mountains of Southern California. While working in Southern California Aslan realized he enjoyed sharing the natural world with children. After spending a year there, Aslan moved to Southwell, UK to attend Nottingham Trent University, where he received a Master’s in Endangered Species Conservation and recovery. There he studied how outdoor programs affect children’s attitudes toward conservation. Aslan has worked with children outdoors since he was 15, working with the Boy Scouts of America. He has also worked as a Lead Naturalist at Three Oaks Outdoor School, a wilderness guide in the San Juan Islands and Western Washington, and a volunteer educator at Loveland Living Planet Aquarium.