Sandi was the Executive Director of the Wade Institute for Science Education for the past 18 years and helped bring about the merger of the Wade Institute and Manomet. Her role shifted to Senior Education Fellow at Manomet. Her responsibilities are to help with a smooth transition for the Wade Institute’s staff and programs. Sandi has worked in the field of science education for over 40 years creating minds-on, hands-on programs for K-12 students and providing professional learning for K-12 teachers. Her passion is opening the world of science to teachers and educators and sharing how they can instill a wonder of science in their students through inquiry-based learning. As Executive Director for the Wade Institute she developed partnerships between educational institutes and science/research institutions that bring inquiry-based programs to schools both regionally and nationally. She was Director of the SeaScope Marine Studies Center for Rhode Island SeaGrant, developed an on-the-water education program for Save the Bay (Providence, RI) and was Education Director for the Lloyd Center for the Environment where she developed curriculum materials for K-12 classrooms using data from research programs. She has been inducted into the Massachusetts Science Educator’s Hall of Fame. Sandi holds a B.S. in Marine Ecology and a M.Ed from the University of Rhode Island.

Diana Cost is an Education Specialist who focuses on STEM curriculum using problem-based learning. Diana holds an EdS. from UMass Lowell,  M.Ed  from Lesley University, and an MAT in Biology from UMass Dartmouth.  She has over 20 years experience teaching science in classrooms and as an education researcher, with over 20 years in laboratory science testing. She is well versed in the Open Sci Ed curriculum as a facilitator of professional development. Diana loves research, science and nature. Working for Manomet is a dream come true, as it provides the opportunity to connect with Manomet staff and scientists, and help educators bring science and nature into their classrooms. Diana loves observing wildlife at her home, which provides a natural environment for birds (great horned owls, redtail hawks), mammals (fox, deer, bats), and amphibians (blue salamanders, tree frogs).

Kara Doherty is the Education Manager for the Wade Institute for Science Education at Manomet’s Professional Learning Programs. Kara holds a Master’s Degree in Curriculum & Instruction with a specialization in English as a second language. Before joining Manomet, Kara taught at the elementary level, where she developed a strong appreciation for both the rewards and challenges of classroom teaching. Kara is passionate about bringing high-quality, engaging professional learning opportunities to educators that are looking for a balance of science content and best pedagogical practices. At Manomet, she is looking forward to expanding the reach of Wade Institute programming to new locations and partnerships. When she isn’t working, you can find Kara reading, dancing, listening to podcasts, or crafting.

Kathryn L. Atkins is the Director of the Wade Institute for Science Education at Manomet Conservation Sciences. She brings 20 years of conservation and science education experience – both in formal and informal environments – to her work with us, and into her design and delivery of science pedagogy and content support for teachers, schools and school districts. She earned her MSEd in Secondary Science from Lehman College, and an MS in Conservation Biology from the University of Wisconsin/Madison. Kathryn taught middle school science in the NYC public school system, with problem-based learning as the driver for her teaching. In support of her Conservation Biology degree, she conducted primatological field research in Costa Rica and Uganda. Prior to joining the Wade Institute, Kathryn called the zoo community her professional home – most recently with the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo. Kathryn is thrilled to return to the conservation world by joining Manomet’s staff – and expanding their outstanding education work to include a focus on teachers, as well as all adult learners. Exploring the outdoors and creative pursuits are an important part of Kathryn’s life – and she especially appreciates science’s ability to foster creativity.

Kathy Renfrew brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in K-5 science education to Manomet Conservation Sciences, specializing in the integration of science and literacy. She earned her Master’s Degree in K-8 Science Education from Vermont State University. Before joining Manomet, Kathy taught elementary school, worked as a Vermont State Science Supervisor, served as a science coach, and is an Education Specialist with the Wade Institute for Science Education. Kathy enjoys and excels at facilitating professional learning, due in part to extensive training in coaching and adult learning theory. Kathy is dedicated to ensuring that K-5 students receive high-quality science instruction and to fostering their growth as responsible community members and land stewards. Her goal is to support Manomet Conservation Sciences’ mission by learning about bird migration and helping educators and students find ways for ecosystems and humans to coexist harmoniously. In her personal life, Kathy enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, watching birds at her feeders, indulging in murder mystery shows on Britbox, or reading on her Kindle.

Margaret Brumsted has decades of experience teaching high school science and now professional learning for teachers. Margaret’s science background includes an undergraduate degree in Biology and a Master’s Degree in Marine Environmental Science. Her primary science teaching experience includes Oceanography, Marine Biology and AP Environmental Science. Professional development played a key role in Margaret’s teaching career and provided her with ample opportunities. She has sailed on tall ships as an educator, worked alongside scientists on ships in Hawaii and Antarctica, and conducted fi eld research in Costa Rica, Belize, The Bahamas and Mexico. She has a passion for science education, and is excited to pass on what she has learned to today’s educators through Wade Institute for Science Education at Manomet Conservation Sciences. Margaret lives in Rhode Island and enjoys many outdoor activities, especially backcountry skiing, travelling, sailing in Narragansett Bay, and bike touring.

Regan McKinnon is the Education Manager for Customized School Programs at the Wade Institute for Science Education at Manomet Conservation Sciences, focusing on supporting science teachers with high-quality professional learning. He holds a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Massachusetts Boston through the Boston Teacher Residency. Before joining Manomet, Regan was in the classroom for 7 years in Boston Public Schools as a middle and high school science teacher and participated in the field testing of OpenSciEd. After stepping out of the classroom, he worked at Boston College’s OEI Initiative, supporting the HS field test in MA. Regan is passionate about equity in education and the shifts in NGSS, particularly through the use of high-quality instructional materials. At Manomet, he is excited to continue Wade’s mission of supporting science teachers through informative, reflective programs. When he’s not working on school programs, Regan enjoys cooking, hiking, and spending time with family, friends, and his two cats.

Rosemary Rak is an Education Specialist with the Wade Institute for Science Education at Manomet Conservation Sciences. She holds a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Lesley University and an M.S. in Marine Biology from Southeastern MA University (now UMass Dartmouth). Before starting her role as an education specialist, she worked for more than 32 years for Taunton Public Schools as a high school biology teacher and science curriculum supervisor. She sees her role as an education specialist aligning well with Manomet’s focus on quality science and impactful collaboration to improve the health of the environment. She is committed to helping teachers deliver high quality science instruction to K-12 students. She collaborates with colleagues to design and deliver meaningful professional learning experiences to science educators. She also supports the Wade Institute’s commitment to high quality professional learning by designing evaluation tools and reporting on participant feedback. During her free time, she enjoys nature walks, shoreline explorations, and spending time with family.

Sharon Kabelitz is excited to share her 20+ years of science education experience with teachers and students through the Wade Institute for Science Education at Manomet Conservation Sciences.  This is Sharon’s third act. After graduation from Oklahoma University, she spent 15 years as a Training Manager in health care organizations before deciding to follow her passion of working with younger humans. Next, Sharon worked as a naturalist, volunteering for school programs.  After earning her Master’s of Science Education from Cambridge College, she launched into her next act as a middle school science educator. Since then, Sharon has shared her love of the natural world with hundreds of young scientists, helping them cultivate their observation and curiosity of the world around them. When Sharon is not working with teachers or students, you can likely find her in the water; she is a swim instructor,  and she enjoys paddle boarding and swimming in most bodies of water.  She is hoping to get her dog, Neptune, to join her on her board. She also shares her home with her husband, son, and their cat Luna.