Jennifer has worked for Cobb County since 2000 as an environmental educator and as an environmental compliance inspector. Her work as a naturalist at a nature center, an instructor at a science museum, and a biologist for an environmental consultant contributes over 20 years of professional experience to our program.

Education:

• Master of Public Administration, Kennesaw State University, 2011
• Master of Science (Enviro Ed), Lesley University, 2007
• Bachelor of Science (Biology), Kennesaw State University, 1997

Facilitator Certifications:

• Project WET
• Project Learning Tree
• Project WILD
• Monarchs in the Classroom
• Leopold Education Project
• Native Waters
• Native Seasons
• Biodiversity Basics
• Healthy Water Healthy People
• Adopt-A-Stream Chemical/Biological/Bacteria Trainer
• Master Gardener

Kristina Ha has worked for the Water System since 2008 as a Communication Specialist whose primary roles include website management and graphic design for marketing materials.  She assisted with the development of the Water System’s websites: www.cobbwater.org and www.cobbstreams.org.     

Education:

• Bachelor of Fine Arts (Interior Design), Georgia State University, 1999
• Multimedia Web and Graphic Design, the Art Institute of Atlanta, 2000

Virma has worked at Cobb Water since 2018 and joined our team in 2020. She has years of experience working with children and youth in outdoor and classroom settings. Virma handles social media, writes and publishes newsletters and press releases, and translates valuable information that goes out to our community.

Education:

• Bachelor of Arts (Communications - Public Relations & Advertising), Universidad de Puerto Rico - Río Piedras Campus, 2011
• Master of Arts (Communications - Writing), Universidad del Sagrado Corazón, 2015

Certifications:

• Project WET
• Climate, Water & Resilience (Project WET)
• Monarchs in the Classroom
• Adopt-A-Stream Chemical Trainer

Mike joined our team in October 2011. He has previously worked as a program coordinator with The Nature Conservancy and as a naturalist with both the Orange County Department of Education in California and Chattahoochee Nature Center.

Education:

• Bachelor of Science (Geographical Sciences), University of Nevada, 2008

Facilitator Certifications:

• Project WET
• Project Wild
• Project Learning Tree
• Adopt-A-Stream Chemical/Biological/Bacteria Trainer
• Master Gardener
• Monarchs In the Classroom
• Trail Crew Leader
• Master Herpetologist

Educator Certifications:

• Wonder of Wetlands
• Our Shared Forest
• Certified Interpretive Guide
• MS4 Compliance & Enforcement Certified Inspector
• Leave No Trace

Julie taught in Cobb County schools as a STEM Instructor before joining our team in June 2022.  Previously, she coordinated school and youth programs for the Missouri Botanical Garden and the Wyman Center in St. Louis, Missouri in addition to teaching as a naturalist and garden educator in New York State and Maryland. 

Education:

• Bachelor of Science in Ecology, University of Illinois

Certifications:

• Project WET
• Project Wild
• Project Learning Tree
• Adopt-A-Stream Chemical/Bacteria Trainer

Sarah taught biology and chemistry at a school in the GISA system in Atlanta, GA, before joining our team in June 2023. Previously, she worked for nine years as the science department chair and biological sciences at a school in the ISAS system in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Education:

• Bachelor of Science (Fish and Wildlife Sciences), Mississippi State University, 2003
• Master of Science (Fish and Wildlife Sciences), Mississippi State University, 2007

Certifications:

• Adopt-A-Stream Chemical/Bacterial/Biological

Angie joined our team in July 2015 and has coordinated the Brooke and Branch puppet show and led community outreach programs. Her background includes work in youth counseling as well as environmental education with Virginia 4-H and Learning Tree Farms.

Educations: 

• Master of Social Work (Family), Kennesaw State University, 2014
• Master of Ed (Outdoor Ed Admin), GA College & State University, 2000
• Bachelor of Arts (Sociology), Lenoir-Rhyne University, 1997

Facilitator Certifications:

• Project WET
• Project Learning Tree
• Project WILD
• Challenge Course Trainer
• Adopt-A-Stream Chemical Trainer

Educator Certifications:

• Outdoor Wildlife Leadership School
• Leave No Trace

Aminta joined our team in April 2019.  After completing her undergraduate degree at Cornell University, she spent three years working as an environmental health inspector specializing in lead poisoning prevention and integrated pest management for New York City’s Department of Health & Mental Hygiene. 

Education:

• Bachelor of Arts (Biology & Society), Cornell University, 2015

Facilitator Certifications:

• Project WET
• Project Learning Tree
• Project WILD

Educator Certifications:

• Monarchs in the Classroom
• Getting Little Feet Wet (Project WET)
• Climate, Water & Resilience (Project WET)

Elizabeth joined our team in July of 2022, and assists with the Brooke and Branch puppet show.  Her background includes work in water treatment and quality assurance testing, as well as education.

Education:

• Bachelor of Science in Biology from Kennesaw State University

Gabriel joined the Cobb Water team in May 2023. She is a senior at Kennesaw State University. She is the president of EcoOwls: Students for Sustainability and a member of the Adopt-A-Stream chapter at Kennesaw State University. Her previous experience includes working as the Public Programs intern at Zoo Atlanta and being elected the Senator of Sustainability as part of KSU's Student Government Association. 

Education: 

• Kennesaw State University student pursuing a Bachelor of Science (Environmental Science) 
• Kennesaw State University student pursuing a Bachelor of Art (Theatre Performance Studies)  

Kernal and Nibblet are captive bred corn snakes. They joined our staff in 2007, shortly after hatching at a local nature center. They visit Cobb County classrooms to educate students about the connection between water quality and wildlife.