Outdoor Educator
Weslie Cymerman
Hello, I’m Weslie. Along with an amazing group of middle-schoolers, we created OWL. And we think it’s pretty great.
Aside from my time at OWL, I am also a mom of two small children. My work in the world: raising young children and leading OWL groups, both have one very important thing in common: I get to be outside with young people...a lot. I love what I get to do. I get to play games, explore, adventure, and sit in nature. I get to be with the trees and the birds and follow animal tracks. I practice being comfortable outdoors in all of the Wisconsin seasons. In the process of teaching children, I learn about myself, others, and the world around me through nature-based play, activities, and lots of wondering.
Formal Education and Experience:
Elementary Education Teaching Degree, UW Madison, 2007
Sustainability Leadership Masters Certificate, Edgewood, 2013
Continued learner from the folks at Wild Harvest Nature Connection (2017-present)
Residential, hiking and canoeing trip camp counselor (2001-2004)
WorldTeach teacher in Namibia, Africa (2007-2008)
2nd and 3rd grade teacher at Wingra School (2009-2017)
Kids yoga instructor with LittleOmBIGOM (2014-2016)
Wellness teacher at Wingra School for grades K-8 (2017-2020)
Nature Play REACH Teacher in MMSD (2020-2022)
Nature Connection Mentor for Wild Harvest Nature Connection, (2022-2023)
OWL after-school teacher, summer camp counselor, and Program Leader (2020-present)
Lots of helping hands
Meet the team!
Mia
Hi, I’m Mia! I joined OWL at the very beginning back in 2020, when I was in 8th grade. I’m now 16 and a junior at West High School.
I love doing things outside, whether that’s ‘sit-spots,’ a form of mindfulness I learned at OWL, backpacking, reading a book, running or skiing cross country, or hanging out with friends and younger OWL students. When I’m not outside you can find me practicing violin, or honing my speech for the forensics team. I’m so grateful to get to be a part of OWL; it never fails to make me happy, and always inspires me to take better care of our Earth and the beings that inhabit it.
Suzanne Lee
Hi, I’m Suzanne. For the past twelve years I've been teaching preschool at New Morning Nursery School, a play-based parent cooperative where the focus is on social-emotional learning. This is where I met Weslie and had the pleasure of being her daughter’s teacher. I am also the mom to two wonderful young adults. I’ve always found that going outside made me feel better — taking walks, gardening, biking and staring at water fill my bucket. I love helping children discover this and teaching them to respect and care for our wonderful world and its inhabitants. Our world needs a lot of love.
Hi! I'm Brynn. I am 15 years old and am a sophomore at West High School. I joined OWL at the very beginning when I was a seventh grader. It was my lifeline during the pandemic!
In my free time, I love to make music, spend time outside, run cross country, read, and hang out with my friends, or play board games with my family. I have played piano for the last 9 years and have been singing almost my whole life. I absolutely love volunteering at OWL and getting to help the next generation of OWLs grow, learn and have fun through this wonderful experience that I could not be more grateful for. Now get outside!
Brynn
Hi, I’m Avery! I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to be a part of OWL and do what I love most… being with kids and exploring the outdoors! There is something magical about watching a child intently play, grow, and learn about the natural world we live in. I love being able to teach and learn right alongside them.
In my free time, you might find me gardening, writing, reading, or taking long walks with my daughter.
Avery
Hi, I'm Clara! For the past several years, I have been a teacher at Wingra School with the Pond group (7,8,9 year olds). That's also where I met Weslie! One of my favorite parts of my job is leading "Outdoor Monday", a time when we spend several hours each week noticing the changing environment and connecting with ourselves through play and exploration. Place based learning is my absolute favorite! You can find me with OWL groups on Wednesdays after school and in the Barred OWL summer camp. In my free time, I enjoy going on walks near the lakes, reading in my hammock, and doing yoga. I also have two cats that really love to be outside too.
Clara
Hello! My name is Emily (she/her). I am currently a Secondary Education Masters student at UW Madison. I am passionate about experiential education and am so excited to learn with kids in the outdoors this summer! I spend a lot of my time in the summers swimming in Madison's lakes, laying in fields, and having picnics with friends!
Emily
Hello, I’m Pippa! I’m a 15-year-old and a sophomore at West High School. I was a part of the founding OWL group all the way back in 2020 when It was the one thing keeping me sane during the pandemic. Fast forward a few years and now I’m proud to be a part of keeping this wonderful community alive and teaching new OWLers about the world around them. When I’m not working with OWL you can find me doing pointe ballet, chilling with my friends, running cross country, or performing in the latest local musical production. I also love camping and whitewater rafting, as well as enjoying any outdoor adventure I find myself on. I’m grateful for my loving family and friends, as well as the earth & world around us, but most of all I'm so glad I can have an opportunity to teach others the magic of OWL.
Pippa
I am a bilingual educator who has worked with students in K-6 for the last 15 years. I love spending time outdoors with my family and friends. Fun fact- I have know Weslie, founder of OWL, since middle school and I am excited to be part of the OWL team.
Ashley
Hi, I'm Daniel. I'm 16 and a junior at Edgewood High School. I was one of Weslie's students during her time at Wingra. After leaving Wingra, I missed the time we spent outdoors, and I am excited to be able to get back outside with OWL.
When I'm not at OWL, you might find me playing a game of ultimate frisbee or competing on the debate team. Sometimes both at once! I also enjoy spending time with my two labs, Beau and Penny.
I am so grateful to be a part of the OWL community!
Daniel
Hi, I’m Ilsa! I graduated from UW-Madison in 2019 with a Bachelor’s in Geography and Environmental Studies. I have been working outdoors since 2018, doing restoration work, farming, and outdoor education.
At OWL I specialize in gardening, cooking, and fire building. I love spending time in nature and helping kids feel more connected to the land. I also work at Wingra School where I am the Environmental Ed. teacher and Outdoor Coordinator (grades K-8).
In my free time I enjoy hiking, camping, reading, yoga, and spending time with my friends, mom, and sisters!
Ilsa
My name is Kayla. I am a sophomore at West high school. I have been a part of OWL for about 3 years. I like playing volleyball, being creative, and spending time with friends.
Kayla
Laura McNeill (She/her/hers) is a teacher, learner, mom to two teenage boys, a sister, and auntie. I grew up in Virginia Beach, VA next to a patch of woods and a creek that barely froze in the winter, where praying mantises navigated leafy bushes and blue herons made their nests in tall pine trees. Running through the woods, my feet knew the story of the earth. It was a knowing that comes from having the space to explore and the time to play. My Dad taught me the importance of growing our own food and taking care of the land.
I love immersing into each season, getting to know the patterns of the plants and animals at various stages. Through my racial justice work, I’ve gained experience in supporting youth leadership development, building community and cultural repair which I love weaving into the fabric of my teaching. For the past 6 years, I’ve worked with a variety of family groups, kid groups and adults through Wild Harvest Nature Connection. I love being the teacher as well the learner. The kids, animals and plants give voice each week to the wonders surrounding us in any given moment. I’m looking forward to a great year with Monday OWL groups.
