Jessi grew up just outside Chicago but has lived in Eagle County for the last 10 years. She completed college coursework at both the University of Illinois and Southern Illinois University earning a BS in Zoology and a minor in Spanish. After school she enjoyed many years working within Wildlife Biology for the National Park Service at several National Parks throughout the west including Denali, Sequoia-Kings Canyon, Mt. Rainier, Badlands, and Yosemite. Between these seasons she began working within Veterinary Medicine, and most recently spent some years at Castle Peak Veterinary Service as Lead Technician. Always inspired by work with children, Jessi has worked in many different capacities as a teacher of kids of all ages and most recently coordinated with the Walking Mountains Internship students while working for the White River National Forest this past 2017 season. The thrill of engaging these high schoolers in the interest of wildlife and environmental studies is what led Jessi to strive to continue with the same kind of work with students of all ages at SSVC. While she has a strong background within the sciences and math, Jessi also completed coursework within film studies and has strong interest in the humanities. In her off time she enjoys taking advantage of all the outdoor activities that Colorado provides year-round, travel, reading, jewelry-making, volunteering for the humane society, watching movies, rooting for her favorite Chicago teams, and seeing live music.
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