The Arlington Outdoor Education Association (AOEA) is managed by a Board of Directors that is made up of parents, educators, scientists and administrators that are dedicated to providing the students of Arlington County a place where they can engage in outdoor studies.
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Current Board Members
Michael Maleski, President
Michael Maleski is a 20 plus year resident of Arlington and was elected President in 2021. and joined the board in 2016. Mike lives in the Leeway neighborhood with his wife JoAnne Carter and their children Charlotte and Gabriel who attended Tuckahoe Elementary, Swanson Middle, Yorktown High and Washington-Liberty High schools. Mike is a business and technology consultant for small businesses and non-profits. He is a former Teach for America Corps Member who as an 8th grade science teacher saw first hand the benefits of outdoor learning for his students.
Scott Kovarovics, Vice President
Scott was elected Vice President of the AOEA in 2021. He spent his career working to conserve natural resources first in government and then in successfully senior positions in nonprofit organizations. His first experience with the Outdoor Lab began like so many other parents of students in Arlington Public Schools – listening to his kids talk with wonder about their first field trip to “the Lab.” Scott got more involved with the Lab as a volunteer, and then as a Board member. Scott is excited to work with other Board members, parents and students, and APS to ensure more of our students can learn skills of the future and experience the natural world at the Outdoor Lab.
TBD, Treasurer
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Colleen Rocha Levine, Secretary
Colleen is an Arlington parent passionate about outdoor education since attending outdoor school as a 5th grader in Oregon and returning as a counselor in high school. Her children attended Tuckahoe Elementary, where she volunteered with the Schoolyard Stewards program, and she has been a Girl Scout troop leader for eight years. Her children currently attend H-B Woodlawn and Arlington Tech. Colleen is a freelance writer and communications and advocacy consultant. Colleen joined the AOEA Board in 2023.
Anita Knipling Scott
Anita K. Scott has seen the Outdoor Lab grow from its infancy and has many memories to share. As one of Phoebe’s 5 children, she grew up with a great love of and appreciation for nature and the out-of-doors. After graduating from Washington-Lee High School in Arlington, she earned her BA in English from Westhampton College, taught for more than 30 years in Arlington (mostly at Williamsburg Middle School) and in 1988 received her MA in Humanities from Marymount University.
The Scotts’ 4 children all attended Arlington Public Schools, and they now have four teenage grandchildren in nearby McLean. Anita enjoys reading, the theater, bridge and has remained active in many local organizations since her retirement in 2000. The AOEA is her absolute favorite pastime. It is very exciting for her to see the second and even third generations of Arlington students come out to the Lab, especially since it is increasingly important in our digital world for our children to spend time learning outside.
Alison Portis
Ali and her family moved to Arlington in 2023 and Ali was appointed to the AOEA board in October. She is a health and wellness professional, military spouse, and mother of two kids who are currently enrolled in Oakridge Elementary. In her work as a resilience trainer for military and first responder families, she emphasizes the importance of nature and getting outside. With her undergraduate degree in Conservation Biology and graduate degree in Health Promotions she believes in the profound importance of getting kids outside.
Becky Lake
Becky Lake owes her legal name and a love for the outdoors to Pheobe Rebecca Hall Knipling. As Pheobe’s great-granddaughter, Becky spent her childhood and adult life exploring nature by catching newts in the Knipling Cabin pond, camping with Girl Scouts, or taking her cat for a walk. Becky has considered Arlington home ever since she attended Marymount University for her BA degree in Graphic Design. Becky is a filmmaker and virtual reality creator. Becky was appointed to the AOEA Board in 2024.
Cristina Brayton-Lewis
Cristina grew up in Arlington, attending Abingdon Elementary and H-B Woodlawn. Cristina adored Outdoor Lab field trips growing up, attended Outdoor Lab camp in middle school, and later volunteered as a camp counselor at the Outdoor Lab in high school. She has since returned to Arlington to settle down with her family and now has two sons at Abingdon Elementary and Claremont Immersion Schools. Cristina is a partner at the law firm White & Case LLP, where she focuses on international trade issues relating to economic sanctions and export controls. Cristina and her family are enthusiastic about the outdoors, and enjoy camping and hiking (and are currently chipping away at sections of the Appalachian Trail). Cristina joined the AOEA Board in 2021.
Heather Spence
Heather is an alumna of APS school system, having graduated from H-B Woodlawn. She now lives with her family in Arlington and was appointed to the AOEA Board in spring of 2022. Heather is also an alum of the Outdoor Lab summer camp and is excited to return to working with the Outdoor Lab. At work, Heather is a marine biologist, musician and composer. Heather joined the AOEA Board in 2022.
Cassidy Shea
Cassidy is a senior at Yorktown High School and was a junior staff member at Outdoor Lab summer camp. She joined the AOEA Board for the 2024-25 school year as a Student Board Member.
Margaret Flannery-Goodman
Margaret is a senior at Yorktown High School and was a junior staff member at Outdoor Lab summer camp. She joined the AOEA Board for the 2024-25 school year as a Student Board Member.
Mary Ann Penning
Mary Ann is a retired, 27-year teaching veteran of Arlington Public Schools and enjoyed taking her fifth graders to the Outdoor Lab for more than 20 years. Along with her husband Nick, the Outdoor Lab is one of their favorite places to visit. Their four daughters also enjoyed the Outdoor Lab when they were students in Arlington Public Schools. Mary Ann joined the AOEA Board in 2007 and served on the Outreach Committee and was Board Secretary for many years.
Paul Diehl
Paul has lived Arlington since 1967 and his children attended Arlington schools. He is a retired Arlington Public Schools bus driver who drove students to the Outdoor Lab for many years. Paul is also a master beekeeper and helps others learn the art (including former APS Superintendent Dr. Patrick Murphy) Paul helps with outreach for the Outdoor Lab.
Tom Twomey
Tom is an alumnus of Arlington Public Schools and long-time camper, volunteer, and employee with the Outdoor Lab Summer Camp. Over 12 years he was fortunate enough to attend 27 sessions of camp, hike the trails countless times, and witness the positive effects of the program on all those who interact with it. Currently he is at the University of Michigan for graduate studies. Tom joined the AOEA Board in 2023.