Los Angeles County Outdoor Science School
Malibu Staff Biographies

Shannon Burgess: Growing up, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to travel and reside in and out of the U.S. and to attend numerous schools (at least 14), but nature has always been the one constant in my life. I have a B.S. in Biology and Environmental Studies from Southern Connecticut State University, which is where I discovered it was possible to teach outdoors and not just in a classroom. I have since enjoyed teaching outdoor science in a variety of ways including living in tent camps teaching field research techniques in the deciduous forests of Connecticut, perched high in a stilt building in a marine bird sanctuary on the Long Island Sound, and surrounded by parrots, giraffes and antelope in an endangered animal breeding facility in rural Texas. Working with children allows me to see familiar things fresh through their eyes, and their questions inspire me to learn more about our environment. I've loved my time here for the past three years, and look forward to spending another year at Malibu Outdoor Science School.

Damaris Allen: Growing up in Chicago, I lived in an urban setting. It wasn't until high school, where I was fortunate enough to go on a field research program to Honduras, that I woke up to the beauty and endless possibilities of "the great outdoors." I received a B.A. in Geography from Southern Illinois Univeristy at Carbondale, minoring in Environmental Studies, and began teaching in 2002 in Illinois, first with Lake County Forest Preserves, then with Irons Oaks, a great environmental/adventure education facility. Along the way, I have also pursued travel and volunteer adventures through Central and South America, and have become a certified Emergency Medical Technician. This is my fourth year teaching for LACOSS at Malibu. Science is a great vehicle of discovery for the students. Learning to question how the world around them works is important! I enjoy being able to share these moments with students.

Jeff Stauffer: I began exploring the southern New Jersey coast in Cape May as a young boy. There I developed a passion for studying the natural world. Exploring swamps, ponds, rivers, dunes, and ocean tides led to a life-long commitment to studying our fascinating wild planet. I graduated with a BA in Elementary Education from Millersville University in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and have been teaching 5th and 6th graders about the earth for the past twelve years in a variety of ecosystems. This is my fifth year as an Outdoor Science Teacher with LACOSS, my second in Malibu. My scientific interests include zoology, lichenology, geology, entomology, mycology, ornithology, botany, ethnobotany, and stone-age anthropology. In my free time I love traveling the continent, photographing nature, studying dragonflies, snorkeling and swimming in the ocean.

Phil Conley: I grew up just outside of Charleston, West Virginia. As a kid my favorite activities were mountain biking, fishing, and hiking. I attended Ferrum College, a small school in the Blue Ridge Mountains, where I double majored in Environmental Science and French with a minor in Biology. In college I was able to participate in some field research on Indiana bats and an internship at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens. Since moving to Los Angeles I have worked at both the L.A. Zoo and the Aquarium of the Pacific. This is my second year at LACOSS.

Cara Goodwin: For the last few seasons, I've worked at our Wrightwood Outdoor Science School site, but am looking forward to exploring Malibu’s varied ecosystems with my students. Prior to teaching for LACOSS, I worked as an educator at a wetlands preserve and a multi-ecosystem nature park in the Portland, Oregon area. Summers are spent back up in Portland or the San Francisco Bay area discovering how amazing the natural world can be. I graduated from Marylhurst University with a degree in Science, with a concentration in Environmental Science. In my free time, I like to hike, snowshoe, listen to ocean waves and good tunes, and watch lots of movies.

Rob Greene: I'm a simple guy, born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. However, like most Ohioans, I left for more interesting places. I've got a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from Miami University of Ohio and have studied with the National Outdoor Leadership School in the Pacific Northwest. After working for several outdoor education programs, a zoo, and even hosting my own show on the college radio station, I'm now back for my third year with LACOSS, but my first at Malibu. In my free time I enjoys photography, hiking, traveling and following the turbulent times of the Cleveland sports teams.

Julie Tosten: In college, I majored in biology and education with a career plan of working in the outdoors. After college, this outdoor career was combined with my love of travel by living in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Iowa, Georgia, and finally California. I've settled in California for 4 years now, but continued to bounce around the state working at Camp Highland Outdoor Science Camp, YMCA Camp Surf, and LACOSS Blue Sky Meadow. My days at LACOSS-Malibu are spent assigning homework, and my evenings doing homework to complete an online graduate program in Geographic Information Systems. In my free time, after homework of course, I enjoys going to see a good movie, relaxing with yoga, and taking good care of my crested gecko, Matisse.

Neil Pittman: I'm from the foothills of South Carolina, where I first started enjoying the outdoors. Before coming to teach in Southern California, I taught in Western North Carolina for several years. I received a degree in Elementary Education from Clemson University, and love to teach and learn new things. Working as an Outdoor Science Teacher combines the two things I enjoys the most: working with children and being outside. I like to spend my spare time hiking, kayaking, and cheering on the Clemson Tigers.

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Wrightwood Staff Bios

Blue Sky Meadow Staff Bios