Tom O'Dowd
Garden Coordinator
I grew up in New York State partly on some mountains known as "the gunks" and partly down below them in a cool little town called New Paltz. I grew up either in the woods or close by them, going to camps, going camping, or just running and messing around in them, so I've always been into hands-on science and nature.
In high school I was involved with art, theater, and sports. I used to be in a lot of plays and musicals. I got to play Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof (high school) and Berger in Hair (college). I did endurance sports in high school: cross-country running, cross-country (nordic) skiing, and track. These sports also kept me running in the woods and apple orchards! I still like to run as much as I can!
During and after college I was an educator/camp counselor with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) for four years. With the DEC I led wetland ecology, entomology, and botany lessons for 12-18 year old campers, as well as adventures such as canoeing and backpacking trips in New York's majestic Adirondack Park. I once even worked on an 80+ ft. sailing ship, the schooner Mystic Whaler, teaching river ecology and history to K-12 students and adults (helping to humanely catch 100s of Hogchokers [fish] a day, as well as a baby Atlantic Sturgeon).
I went on to graduate from the University of Vermont (UVM) with a BS in Environmental Studies and a Minor in Community & International Development. Studying in Vermont I did more nature-exploration and worked as a teaching assistant for the UVM Environmental Program leadings field trips and small classes. For my minor I worked with schoolteachers in Honduras to develop and teach an environmental education program.
After I graduated from Vermont I worked at SMOE (outdoor ed) for two years. My nature name was "Moose" (my nature last name: "Snag"). You can still call me that if you want to.
I enjoy seeing the world and have traveled to the Netherlands, Puerto Rico, Scotland, and Ireland, as well as across the USA twice.
I speak some Spanish (it's pretty bad though), sing, dance, run, climb trees, and play a little guitar & mandolin (I'm a beginner at both instruments!).
I hope to see you around the school yard. I like to eat lunch at the picnic tables. If you want to join the after school garden program or be a Compost Coordinator, let me know in school. If you are a parent and want to help out with any garden work during or after school, please contact me via the office. Thanks!