Mission Statement
Chatham University's Eden Hall Campus K-12 Programs aim to support educators and youth, their schools, and their communities as they learn to drive transformation and take action to create healthy, happy, equitable lives for all people.
As an educational partner, Chatham acts as a resource hub, collaborating with regional and national partners to provide interdisciplinary learning through the lens of sustainability and problem-based pedagogies to an inclusive group of students and educators.
We use our 'living laboratory' at the Eden Hall Campus to create engaging experiential and place-based opportunities that inspire students and educators to be leaders in their communities, lifelong learners, systems thinkers, globally-minded change agents and empathic beings.
Awards
Winner of the U.S. Green Building Council's Center for Green Schools "Best of Green Schools 2018" award for the Higher Education Institution category. This award recognizes higher education institutions or faculty members who have made a significant contribution to the K-12 green schools movement through partnership, research and/or scholarship.
+Staff
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Kelly Henderson
Eden Hall K-12 Education Manager
Kelly has been at Chatham working to create K-12 school partnership program for the Eden Hall Campus since 2014. As a member of the Education Department, Kelly also teaches courses as adjunct faculty on "Experiential Learning and Classroom Partnerships." She has completed the People's Institute for Survival and Beyond's Undoing Racism Workshop, the Buck Institute's PBL Leadership Institute as well as the Climate Reality Leadership Corps. Before coming to Chatham, Kelly helped start the Pittsburgh 2030 District with the Green Building Alliance, and was the project manager on LEED green building certification for the United Steelworkers Building while working for The Efficiency Network. Her history with environmental and outdoor education has varied from leading college orientation overnight caving trips and supervising YMCA overnight camp staff, to leading community bike rides around Pittsburgh for Venture Outdoors. Kelly has a BA in Physics from Colgate University and an MSc in Sustainable Energy Systems from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. Before changing careers, she worked in U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory and at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign researching material changes that would make solar panels more efficient. In her free time, Kelly helps to instruct the Pittsburgh Explorer’s Club Backpacking School and Mountaineering School. She is also on the board of the Point Breeze North Development Corporation.
Payal Patel
Eden Hall K-12 Program Assistant
Payal Patel is the Eden Hall Campus K-12 Education Program Assistant. A Chatham University Shadyside Campus alumna herself, Payal rejoined the Chatham community at the Eden Hall Farm Campus in 2018. A lifelong interest in public health and justice led her to an undergraduate at Chatham, where she studied environmental science, cultural studies, and social justice. She spent the next few years exploring careers in her fields of interest: wildlife conservation, outdoor recreation, and music. However, it wasn’t until picking up a summer gig at the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh that Payal discovered a joy and calling in working with children. That summer gig opened the floodgates to a world of possibilities in children's education and programming. After working a few years in children's programming she decided it was time to start merging her interests in sustainability and children's education, just as Eden Hall Campus was expanding their own K-12 programs. Outside of work Payal has a strong interest in food justice and food culture, volunteering with 412 Food Rescue as a cooking instructor and food distribution volunteer. In her free time Payal enjoys experimenting with new and creative recipes, singing, swimming, and falling down the rabbit hole of health science research.
Fernando Soriano
Eden Hall K-12 ECology Educator & Project Support Coordinator
Bachelor of Arts in Biology, concentration in Environmental Science student, degree expected 2019
USAFernando's interest in ecology stems from his hometown, Virginia Beach, where he explored various ecosystems whether it was the beach, forest, or wetlands. One of his favorite places growing up was the Virginia Marine Science Center because he got to learn first hand about the natural world around him, and how to help preserve it. He is motivated by his interest not only in science, but also his aspirations to be an ally for social justice, and to become better at both each day. As a member of Chatham Student Government and the March for Science Pittsburgh committee, he strives everyday to push diversity and inclusion for all and for evidence supported decision making. He is very excited to help foster the growth and education of the youth of proceeding generations to help them in their futures but also ensure the wellbeing of our world as a whole.
Morgan Block
Eden Hall K-12 Climate Educator & Graduate Assistant
Master of Sustainability student, degree expected 2019
USAIn his role with the K-12 Program, Morgan works on updating the K-12 Resources Page, crafting new lesson plans/activities, implementing climate change knowledge wherever he can, and acting as a project mentor to schools implementing PBL units. Morgan is from Long Island, New York, and grew up with a fascination for the natural world. Morgan graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 2016 with a BA in History, and a Certificate in Leadership. Morgan then spent three weeks in the Galapagos Islands volunteering on a conservation team to protect endemic species like the giant tortoise. Upon graduating from the University of Pittsburgh, Morgan worked for Grades of Green, an environmental education nonprofit in New York City. Morgan helped create, edit, build, and rebrand Grades of Green’s environmental education activities. When he's not working Morgan enjoys camping, sci fi movies, goofy comedies, exercising, programming (or attempting to) with R, astronomy, and Neil deGrasse Tyson.
Julia Saintz
Eden Hall K-12 Sustainability Educator & Project Support Coordinator
Master of Sustainability student, degree expected 2019
USAJulia has experiences and passions for educating on farming, soils, waste management/waste reduction efforts (in particular with schools), eliminating litter, watershed education, and more! If it has anything to do with the environment and people, Julia likes to get involved. This year she hopes to help with getting more schools to be inspired to take waste reduction efforts they learn at Eden Hall back to their schools. Fun Fact: Julia has done early 1800s mountain men reenactments. Her specialties are knife throwing, bow and arrow, and leather working
Emma Meng
Eden Hall K-12 Built Systems Educator & Project Support Coordinator
Bachelors of Sustainability, degree expected 2020
USAEmma gained a passion for the social aspect of sustainability through her time volunteering with an NGO in Northern Region Ghana in 2017. She has recently decided to pursue this interest by studying Sustainability, with a concentration on Natural Resource Management at Chatham University. This year, Emma is looking forward to becoming active in the Pittsburgh sustainability community, as well as within the Eden Hall Campus. Outside of studying, Emma enjoys hiking, scuba diving, camping, and dogs.
Zoe Davis-Bowers
Eden Hall K-12 Sustainability Educator & Project Support Coordinator
Bachelors of Sustainability, degree expected 2022
USAZoe has had a passion for sustainability and environmental issues for most of her life. Seeking a place that shared her passion for the environment she close to study at Chatham University. In addition to interest in sustainability, Zoe also enjoys working with kids and wants to become a teacher and help kids realize the importance of our environment. She has had work experience with kids the past two years, and loves nothing more than teaching and learning from them. She is excited to combine her love for kids and education, and sustainability with the K-12 program. When she is not studying, Zoe enjoys camping, art, hiking and music.
Connor Mulvaney
Eden Hall K-12 Social Justice Educator & Project Support Coordinator
Master of Sustainability student, degree expected 2019
Pittsburgh PA USAConnor gained an interest in environmental issues while working as a freelance photographer and studying for a BA in photojournalism. Those interests became areas of focus while studying sustainability at Chatham. Connor is particularly interested in exploring why some folks are more exposed to environmental hazards than others. Connor is excited to share his knowledge of social and environmental justice with visitors to Eden Hall, and to learn from them in the process. When he’s not studying, Connor is probably training for marathons or riding his bicycle.
Chloe Martin
Eden Hall K-12 Educator & Project Support Coordinator
Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics, Secondary Education Certificate, degree expected 2020
USAChloe's passion for education, and love for the outdoors has led to her role with the K-12 Program. Originally from Cleveland Ohio, Chloe grew up loving the outdoors, through camping with her family and later had the chance to attend a two week trip to Jackson, Wyoming where she explored the ecology of the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone National Park. Additionally, Chloe has always loved school, leading her to develop an interest in education where she hopes to engage, inspire and encourage students to pursue all their interests. She is very excited to use her love of education to help build the K-12 program and to encourage kids to value the importance of the world around us. In her free time, Chloe loves reading, listening to new music, and is the President of the Chatham Ukulele Club.
Jayashree Iyengar
Eden Hall K-12 Culinary Educator
Master of Arts in Food Studies student, degree expected 2019
IndiaJayashree is excited to be part of the Eden Hall K-12 team. Jayashree is working on creating a culinary education curriculum for the K-12 Program. She is currently pursuing her Master's degree in the Food Studies program at Chatham University. She is also a Mechanical Engineer who worked at Westinghouse for more than two decades. She enjoys teaching cooking to adults and children. Her passion for cooking and teaching led her to transition to the culinary world. She grew up in Chennai, India before she moved to the United States more than three decades ago for her graduate studies in Mechanical Engineering. She is the owner of Popping Mustard Seeds, Indian Cooking Classes and More. She specializes in teaching Indian vegetarian cuisine. She is an experienced chef and has several cooking classes in the Pittsburgh area. Jayashree is also a certified Pilates teacher and she likes being outdoors and enjoys travelling, gardening and hiking.
Lexi Kapla
Eden Hall K-12 Sustainability Educator & Project Support Coordinator
Bachelors of Sustainability Student, degree expected 2021
USALexi Kapla is a second year Falk school of Sustainability student who is interested in infiltrating Education into her academic studies. Lexi is originally from Michigan and enjoys spending her free time absorbed in the nature surrounding her, whether it be farm fields, forests, sand dunes, or the Great Lakes. Lexi competes on Chatham University's cross country and track & field sports team. She enjoys working with students and was a counselor for Eden Hall's high school Sustainability Leadership Academy in summer 2018. Lexi is excited to work with educators and students while advancing in her studies of Sustainability.
Amanda Paduch
K-12 Ecology Educator and Project Support Coordinator
Masters of Sustainability and Business Administration Student, degree expected 2020
USAAmanda has had a passion for wildlife and the outdoors her entire life. Born in Maryland she has lived in four different states including New Jersey, Louisiana, and lastly Pennsylvania. Her last home in northeastern PA was the perfect place for outdoor activities and where she nurtured her love for the environment. She attended Keystone College for her undergraduate degree in Biology where she was able to take an array of classes that would introduce her to the world of Ecology. Her favorite classes included vernal pools, wildlife rehabilitation, and wildlife forensics. Outside of class she was a part of her schools Ecology and fencing club. During her summers she enjoys taking a role as a teacher and guide at her local library's summer programs. After graduation Amanda decided she wanted to focus on the environment, and most importantly to cultivate a supportive and symbiotic relationship between society and the earth. She decided to get her graduate degree in Sustainability and Business Administration at Chatham University. She hopes to learn new skills and concepts inside and outside of class. In her spare time she enjoys hiking, kayaking, reading and coffee.
Felicity Moffett
Eden Hall K-12 Food System Educator & Project Support Coordinator
Bachelors of Sustainability Student, degree expected 2022
USAFelicity Moffett is a first-year sustainability student whose love of gardening and passion for education led her to her position in the K-12 program. She worked for two years at Fern Hollow Nature Center where she took care of the community garden and assisted with educational programs. Felicity received her Girl Scout Gold Award by revising and updating Fern Hollow's Field Guide. She is excited to get back outside and working with kids. Outside of work Felicity enjoys birding, singing, trying DIYs she finds online and baking.
+Past Student Employees
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Patricia Dufane
Eden Hall K-12 Food Systems Educator
Master of Arts in Food Studies student, degree expected 2019
Haiti
Audrey Lomax
Eden Hall K-12 Outdoor Educator
Master of Arts in Food Studies student, degree expected 2019
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Tashi Cheozum Lama
Eden Hall K-12 Educator & Data Wizard
Bachelor of Arts in Sustainability student, degree expected 2021
Nepal
Danielle San Filippo
Eden Hall K-12 Outdoor Educator
Master of Arts in Food Studies/MBA 2018
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Diarra Clarke
Eden Hall K-12 Social Justice Educator
Bachelor of Arts in Women's Entrepreneurship & Institutional Culture 2018
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Emma Honcharski
Eden Hall K-12 Ecology Educator & Marketing Coordinator
Bachelor of Science in Sustainability student, degree expected 2018
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Kai Kyles
Eden Hall K-12 Social Justice Educator
Master of Arts in Food Studies student
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Dante Barbetti
Eden Hall Trail and Volunteer Coordinator
Bachelor of Science in Sustainability student, degree expected 2019
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Bethany Bookout
Eden Hall Trail and Volunteer Coordinator
Bachelor of Arts in Sustainability 2018
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Kelcy Wagner
Eden Hall K-12 Field Trip Coordinator
Master of Sustainability 2017
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Cameron Heyder
Eden Hall K-12 Summer Educator
Bachelor of Science in Sustainability student, degree expected 2019
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Stacey Jane Victor
Eden Hall K-12 Program Assistant
Master of Arts in Food Studies 2017
Malaysia
Issa Secaira
Eden Hall K-12 Food Systems Educator
Master of Arts in Food Studies 2016
Guatemala
France Gina Beauzil
Eden Hall K-12 Educator
Master of Arts in Food Studies 2016
Haiti
Komal Koodovalli
Eden Hall K-12 Educator
Master of Sustainability 2016
India
Feyisola Alabi
Eden Hall K-12 Program Educator
Master of Sustainability and MBA 2016
Nigeria
Emily Gallivan
Eden Hall K-12 Program Food & Farm Intern
Master of Arts in Food Studies 2015
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Michael Nelson
Eden Hall K-12 Food Systems Educator
Bachelors of Business & Sustainability, degree expected 2020
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Ericka Gibson
Eden Hall K-12 Sustainability Educator & Project Support Coordinator
Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education, degree expected fall 2019
USA +Advisory Board
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Eden Hall's K-12 Advisory Board helps to drive the direction of school engagement programming coming out of Chatham University's Eden Hall Campus. Board members serve 3-year terms, during which they attend regular meetings to provide feedback and participate in group brainstorming sessions. This group meets 4 times per year with mandatory attendance at 3 out of 4 of these meetings required to maintain board seats. The board is comprised of educators, district administrators, and employees of school partner organizations/initiatives. Public, private and charter schools are all represented.
2018-19 meeting times are:- Sept 27th, 2018, 5:30 - 7:30pm @ Shadyside Campus
- Nov 15th, 2018, 5:30 - 7:30pm @ Eden Hall Campus
- Feb 7th, 2019, 5:30 - 7:30pm @ Shadyside Campus
- April 4th, 2019, 5:30 - 7:30pm @ Eden Hall Campus
Our board also has dedicated seats for specific organizations, schools and districts.
Current Board Members and Terms:- Trisha Craig (2016-2019) - Junior High School Principal, Fort Cherry School District
- Aileen Owens (2016-2019) - Director of Technology and Education, South Fayette School District
- Rebecca Cunningham (2016-2019) - Assistant Superintendent, Hampton Township School District
- Vasilios Scoumis (2016-2019) - CEO, Manchester Academic Charter School
- Venneasha Davis (2017-2020) - 6th Grade Science Teacher, Colfax K-8, Pittsburgh Public Schools
- Wendelyn M. Piquette (2017-2020) - High School Physics & Earth Science Teacher, Allderdice High School, Pittsburgh Public Schools
- Kelcy Wagner (2017-2020) - Chatham Alumna, former K-12 Program Staff
- Pete Mathis (2017-2020) - Assistant Head of School, Shadyside Academy
- Johannah Vanatta (2017-2020) - Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education, North Hills School District
- David Zupsic (2017-2020) - Coordinator of Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment, Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV
- Ayanna Jones (2017-2020) - Executive Director, Sankofa Village Community Garden
- Gabriela Rose (2018-2021) - Science Coordinator, Math/Sci Collaborative, Allegheny Intermediate Unit
- Katie Lockley (2018-2021) - Director, Green and Healthy Schools Academy, Green Building Alliance
- Angelique Drakeford (2018-2021) - Principal & Chief Academic Officer, Urban Academy
- Floyd Cephas Jr. (2018-2021) - Director, FAME
- Lisa Seel (2018-2021) - VP of Board, Millvale Community Library
- Nannette Farmar (2018-2021) - Principal, Rowan Elementary, Seneca Valley School District
- Nikole Sheaffer (2018-2021) - Director of Innovation, Communications and Outreach, Environmental Charter School
- Alex Dragon (2018-2021) - Middle School Science Teacher, Falk Lab School
- Steve Cooper (2018-2021) - Outdoor Education Coordinator, PE Teacher & School Nurse, Winchester Thurston
- Vincent Scotto (2018-2021) - K-12 STEAM Coordinator, Curriculum and Instruction, Pittsburgh Public Schools
- Ashley Comans (2018-2021) - School Board Director, Wilkinsburg School District
- Shallegra Moye Shellee (2018-2021) - Communities in Schools Site Coordinator, Sto-Rox Jr./Sr. High School
- Na-Tisha Washington (2018-2021) - Green Initiative Coordinator, Operation Better Block, Junior Green Corps
- Kristen Golomb (2018-2021) - Director of Innovation, Propel Charter Schools
- Deborah Domingues-Murphy (2018-2021) - Information Literacy Teacher, City Charter High School
- Penn Hills School District (1 seat)
- Clairton City School District (1 seat)
- Woodland Hills School District (1 seat)
- McKeesport Area School District (1 seat)
- East Allegheny School District (1 seat)
- South Allegheny School District (1 seat)
- Cornell School District (1 seat)
- Keystone Oaks School District (1 seat)
- Duquesne City School District (1 seat)
- Aliquippa School District (1 seat)
- Intermediate Units (2 seats)