Matthew Griekspoor

316-***-****

acw9sg@r.postjobfree.com

**** *. ****** ******* ** 67217

Academic Preparation

Harding University, Searcy, AR

Bachelor of Arts in Biology (Spring 2013)

Minor in Bible and Religion

East High School, Wichita, KS (2008)

Job Experiences

Educations lead Specialist: Feb 2016- October 2016

Rolling Hills Zoo- Salina KS

Lead Educational Programs for Children on Site and State-wide

Wrote State Standard Curriculum and Lesson Plans

Weekly Animal Handling of Zoo Ambassador Animals

Environmental Educator: May 2015- Nov 2015

Alabama 4-h Science School -Auburn Univ.

Taught National Science Standards to Elementary/Middle School age students

Provided Animal Husbandry to Reptiles/Amphibians, Birds of Prey, and aquatic invertebrates/vertebrates

Weekly Inspections and Data Collection of High Ropes/ Low Ropes Course

Teacher Naturalist: August 2014-May 2015

Ozark Natural Science Center, AR

lead educational hikes field investigations

Produced, researched and edited educational videos, ONSC live

Provided animal husbandry to snakes and macro invertebrates

Nature Program Director: June-August 2014

Timber Pointe -Easter Seals, IL

Taught Nature Classes, Outdoors Skills and Team-building to Campers with Disabilities

Professional Outdoor Educator: March-May 2014

Bradford Woods-Indiana University, IN

Taught Accredited Courses in Environmental Science/Biology

Nature director: June-August 2012, 2013

Cockrell River Camp, TX

Conducted Nature Hikes

Provided animal husbandry to reptiles and amphibians

Other Jobs and Volunteer work

Discovery Nature Center 2016 Salina KS

Intern game warden/biologist: 2013

Aransas national wildlife refuge

Tutor for American reads program: 2009- 2013 Elementary schools Searcy AR

Silver Maple Camp Counselor 2006-2008 Kingman KS

Teacher Aids/ Tutor: 2007-2008 Middle schools Wichita KS

Counselor for Cub Scout camps 2004-2008 various location in KS

Pee Wee Basketball Referee and coach 2006-2008, 2013 Wichita KS, Searcy AR

Numerous Volunteer Works Done With My Social Club and Church and Boy Scouts

Computer and technology experience

Software- Excel, Word, Power Point, Video Pro (Editing software for videos)

Biostatistics- STYSTATS/MYSTAT

GIS/GPS

Game Camera, DLSR Camera

Honors/Certifications

Hunter Education Certified

Eagle Scout Class 2004

Perfect Attendance at Harding University

CPR/First aid Certified

Alabama Water Watch Monitoring Certified

Archery Level 1 Certified

Wilderness First Aid Certified (SOLO)

Alabama Boating License

Project WET Certified

Project WILD Certified

Project Learning Tree Certified

Project Aquatic Wild Certified

Leave No Trace

ATV/UTV certified

Cover Page

Every since I can remember, I have been outside exploring my backyard with my friends, hunting with my dad or hiking/ camping in scouts. Though scouts, I learned much needed life skills such as trustworthiness, thriftiness and being mentally and physical strong. These traits lead me to my completion of my eagle scout rank and later a degree in biology.

After college, I worked at Aransas National Wildlife refuge. There I helped with the hunting program, endangered species, invasive species, and visitor services. During the hunting season my duties included checking identification of hunters, checking tags, hunting licenses and checking hunters in and out of the refuge. The endangered species that I studied was the Whopping Crain. We used radio transmitters to monitor which places the birds frequently visited and upon visitation would take water samples, and vegetation surveys. Working the visitor service my duties included trail maintenance, answering questions, leading bird counts surveys, giving educational tours and doing preparation for controlled burns.

Upon working at Aransas NWR I have worked at several outdoor environmental education centers. I believe environmental education is extremely important for kids because most children spend many hours indoors on their computers, televisions or phones, rather than outdoors observing wildlife. Richard Louv in his book Last Child in the Wood calls this phenomenon “nature-deficit disorder.” While teaching outdoor education, I have had the unique ability to provide animal husbandry to reptiles/ amphibians, birds of prey, and aquatic invertebrates/vertebrates. We would commonly use these animals as teaching aids in demonstration and lesson plans. As a caregiver I want to provide a safe and natural place for the animal to thrive and encourage student to learn more about the animals and how protecting their habitat and become better stewards to the environmental. Furthermore, I have written many lesson plans and taught a variety of classes to students of all levels and abilities. I pride myself in my passion for animals and my ability to make science come to life. To quote a famous scientist and former television star Bill Nye, “There's nothing I believe in more strongly than getting young people interested in science…, for a better tomorrow, for all humankind.”

My enclosed resume reflects my experiences and accomplishments. The opportunity to be a part of this team would be an exciting and motivating challenge for me.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely

Matthew Griekspoor

References

Theresa Cannefax: Educator Coordinator-Rolling Hills Zoo

acw9sg@r.postjobfree.com

Cell phone 913-***-****

Brian Underwood: Supervisor- Lakewood discovery center

Cell phone: 785-***-****

Amran Ahmad: Environmental Education Director –Bradford Woods

acw9sg@r.postjobfree.com

Cell Phone 317-***-****

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