About the Presenters:
Gerald Zelenka
Bio:
Gerald loves a good pun almost as much as he loves his animals and with over fifty years of experience as an outdoor naturalist and wildlife photographer under his belt, you could say he's really captured the moment. Gerald has traveled to Canada, Africa, Australia and across America on photography and research adventures which stem from his deeply rooted love of adventure. Apt to wake early to take shots of anything that crawls, ambles, slithers or flies, he loves to regale people with his tales of tails, flights of fancy or stories of bare bears doing what bears do best in the woods.
His extensive background in teaching coupled with his deeply rooted passion for animals lends a very personal touch to his shows which draw the audience in and leave them wanting more. Thought provoking questions paired with his immense breadth of knowledge will provide you with a show you'll not soon forget. As an Eagle Scout, former president of the NY Herpetological Society, and 3 time Teacher of the Year recipient, and a father of three, Gerald honed his skills from a very early age and is very well suited to direct any audience, from 25-250.
Education:
Undergraduate: Upsala College: Bachelor of Arts, Biology
Graduate: William Paterson University: Masters of Arts, Zoology
Additional Graduate Work: Seton Hall University, Montclair State University
Bowdoin College, Michigan Technological University
Awards:
Theobald Smith Award - Rutgers University
Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award
Governors Award for Outstanding Teacher, Clifton High School, Clifton, NJ
First state mini-grant for the development of an ecological field area at Clifton High School
Eagle Scout and Order of the Arrow Award
Gerald loves a good pun almost as much as he loves his animals and with over fifty years of experience as an outdoor naturalist and wildlife photographer under his belt, you could say he's really captured the moment. Gerald has traveled to Canada, Africa, Australia and across America on photography and research adventures which stem from his deeply rooted love of adventure. Apt to wake early to take shots of anything that crawls, ambles, slithers or flies, he loves to regale people with his tales of tails, flights of fancy or stories of bare bears doing what bears do best in the woods.
His extensive background in teaching coupled with his deeply rooted passion for animals lends a very personal touch to his shows which draw the audience in and leave them wanting more. Thought provoking questions paired with his immense breadth of knowledge will provide you with a show you'll not soon forget. As an Eagle Scout, former president of the NY Herpetological Society, and 3 time Teacher of the Year recipient, and a father of three, Gerald honed his skills from a very early age and is very well suited to direct any audience, from 25-250.
Education:
Undergraduate: Upsala College: Bachelor of Arts, Biology
Graduate: William Paterson University: Masters of Arts, Zoology
Additional Graduate Work: Seton Hall University, Montclair State University
Bowdoin College, Michigan Technological University
Awards:
Theobald Smith Award - Rutgers University
Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award
Governors Award for Outstanding Teacher, Clifton High School, Clifton, NJ
First state mini-grant for the development of an ecological field area at Clifton High School
Eagle Scout and Order of the Arrow Award
Christine Zelenka
Bio:The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Christine's love of animals and the outdoors began before she can remember. She followed her passion by obtaining a double major in Biology and Biological Science Education, receiving high honors for both degrees. After formally teaching in high school and elementary classrooms for seven years, Christine moved to Australia to receive her Masters degree in Tropical Ecology with a core in the Zoological sciences to apply her love of science in the field. During her time in Oz she worked and developed important relationships at the Cairns Night Zoo where among other things, she was part of the Crocodile feedings and Koala handling. She developed and wrote her MSc. thesis about the endangered Mahogany Glider in the cyclone torn region of NE Queensland. Christine certainly is the type of person to make the most of any experience and her love of all things exotic have lead her to all corners of the globe, reaching every continent before the age of thirty. Her extensive studies, zoological practices and vast travel experiences have imparted upon her a deep and diverse knowledge of many species. Coupled with her well honed ability to teach, she is able to engage the audience, young or not so young, in a myriad of engaging and thought provoking dialogues as she guides you through a most entertaining performance. Christine aspires to bring her passion and love of animals, big and small, into the growing and hungry minds of today's youth with humor and of course safety for all animals (humans too).
Christine is also a certified yoga instructor, trained in CPR/AED and enjoys any type of activity involving the outdoors, including running, hiking, rock climbing, kayaking, SCUBA diving etc.
Education:
B.S., James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia; Biology
Highly Qualified Teaching Certificate, St. Peters College, Jersey City, New Jersey
MAppSc., James Cook University, Queensland; Wildlife Ecology
Yoga Alliance- RYT 200
Additional Work Experience:
Science Educator: Life Science, Foundations of Science,
Biology, Biology ICS, Anatomy and Physiology Honors;
Field Research Assistant: Lewa Downs Conservancy: Kenya
Cairns Tropical Night Zoo- Animal Handler
Organizations:
·New Jersey Education Association
·National Education Association
·New Jersey Science Teachers Association
·Earthwatch Institute
·New Jersey Marine Education Association
·Wortendyke Field and Stream Association
·NJ OWL (Outdoor Women’s League)
Honors:
·Golden Key National Honor Society
·Golden Key International Honour Society
·National Collegiate Scholar
·President’s Letter
·Beta Beta Beta (National Biology Honor Society)
·Graduated cum laude from James Madison University
·Dean’s List recipient
·Susan G. Komen research grant
Travel Experience:
·Yearly Two week camping trip to Quebec, Canada wilderness
·1995/1997 10,000 mile trip around the United States of America
·1998 Mexico- Personal; Photography
·2001 Ecuador and Galapagos Islands- James Madison University Research Program
·2002 Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Indonesia- James Cook University and Personal
·2003 Hawaii- Nature Photography
·2005 Kenya, Tanzania- Earthwatch and Private Safari
·2006 Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, England, Spain, France- Personal/Family
·2007 10,000 mile trip around United States of America- Nature Photography
·2010 Antarctica
-2012 Japan
-2013 Germany, Austria, England
-2014 Costa Rica
Christine is also a certified yoga instructor, trained in CPR/AED and enjoys any type of activity involving the outdoors, including running, hiking, rock climbing, kayaking, SCUBA diving etc.
Education:
B.S., James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia; Biology
Highly Qualified Teaching Certificate, St. Peters College, Jersey City, New Jersey
MAppSc., James Cook University, Queensland; Wildlife Ecology
Yoga Alliance- RYT 200
Additional Work Experience:
Science Educator: Life Science, Foundations of Science,
Biology, Biology ICS, Anatomy and Physiology Honors;
Field Research Assistant: Lewa Downs Conservancy: Kenya
Cairns Tropical Night Zoo- Animal Handler
Organizations:
·New Jersey Education Association
·National Education Association
·New Jersey Science Teachers Association
·Earthwatch Institute
·New Jersey Marine Education Association
·Wortendyke Field and Stream Association
·NJ OWL (Outdoor Women’s League)
Honors:
·Golden Key National Honor Society
·Golden Key International Honour Society
·National Collegiate Scholar
·President’s Letter
·Beta Beta Beta (National Biology Honor Society)
·Graduated cum laude from James Madison University
·Dean’s List recipient
·Susan G. Komen research grant
Travel Experience:
·Yearly Two week camping trip to Quebec, Canada wilderness
·1995/1997 10,000 mile trip around the United States of America
·1998 Mexico- Personal; Photography
·2001 Ecuador and Galapagos Islands- James Madison University Research Program
·2002 Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Indonesia- James Cook University and Personal
·2003 Hawaii- Nature Photography
·2005 Kenya, Tanzania- Earthwatch and Private Safari
·2006 Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, England, Spain, France- Personal/Family
·2007 10,000 mile trip around United States of America- Nature Photography
·2010 Antarctica
-2012 Japan
-2013 Germany, Austria, England
-2014 Costa Rica
Michael Zelenka
Education:
Montclair State University Montclair, NJ Bachelor of Arts, Anthropology
Bergen County Community College Paramus, NJ Associate in Science, Biology
Work Experience:
Arbor Ace Tree Service
Certified Arborist
Owner Operator
Services include tree assessment, pruning, removal, and stump grinding.
Miuccio LLC.
Home Improvement Energy Forman
Energy Auditor
Jobsite Forman and Installer
Responsibilities include home audits, estimating and performing work.
Certifications:
·Certified Arborist
·Class A CDL License
·Certified Diver
·Boat License
·15 hours Pilot training
·Certified Energy Professional
·Building Performance Institute Certified
·Building Analyst Professional
·Envelope Professional
·Heating Professional
Outdoor Experiences:
·2004 Wolf Study; International Wolf Center, Ely, Minnesota
·Trip Leader and Photographer
·New Zealand
·Bahamas
·Belize
·Canada
·Baja, Mexico
·Extreme Snowboarding
·British Columbia
·Washington
·Utah
·Wyoming
·Montana
·Colorado
·Off-Road Endurance Racing, Vegas to Reno
2009 - 2nd Place Amateur in 1000 miles three day event
2010 - 1st Place Amateur in 534 miles one day event
Montclair State University Montclair, NJ Bachelor of Arts, Anthropology
Bergen County Community College Paramus, NJ Associate in Science, Biology
Work Experience:
Arbor Ace Tree Service
Certified Arborist
Owner Operator
Services include tree assessment, pruning, removal, and stump grinding.
Miuccio LLC.
Home Improvement Energy Forman
Energy Auditor
Jobsite Forman and Installer
Responsibilities include home audits, estimating and performing work.
Certifications:
·Certified Arborist
·Class A CDL License
·Certified Diver
·Boat License
·15 hours Pilot training
·Certified Energy Professional
·Building Performance Institute Certified
·Building Analyst Professional
·Envelope Professional
·Heating Professional
Outdoor Experiences:
·2004 Wolf Study; International Wolf Center, Ely, Minnesota
·Trip Leader and Photographer
·New Zealand
·Bahamas
·Belize
·Canada
·Baja, Mexico
·Extreme Snowboarding
·British Columbia
·Washington
·Utah
·Wyoming
·Montana
·Colorado
·Off-Road Endurance Racing, Vegas to Reno
2009 - 2nd Place Amateur in 1000 miles three day event
2010 - 1st Place Amateur in 534 miles one day event