Rochelle is excited to join the Outdoor Lab in 2022!
As a life-long learner with a love of nature and natural places, Rochelle enjoys camping, hiking, and exploring the world.
As an Educator, Rochelle has taken advantage of many opportunities throughout her career to learn and grow to best serve students and families. She has undergraduate and graduate degrees from James Madison University and has a second graduate program in School Administration and Supervision from SU.
During her 30-year career, Rochelle has worked with every level of student—from Preschool through High School, and has been adjunct faculty at JMU, EMU and MU.
Rochelle has worked as school administrator leading both large and small schools, and has supervised special education, gifted education, English learner, and general education programs. Rochelle has developed science curriculum, assessments, and resources for teachers at the county level.
Overall, she is especially passionate about developing rich experiential-based opportunities where a strong love of learning and growth mindset are foundational to a successful school career and beyond. She is delighted to be at the Outdoor Lab Program working directly with students across Arlington, supporting teachers and families to further their understanding and love for the natural world.
Christopher Manaois
Resource Assistant, Outdoor Lab
Christopher (a.k.a. Mr Bat) joined the Outdoor Lab staff in 2018.Christopher stepped up to serve as the Acting Director of the Outdoor lab from July - October 2019 and again July - August 2022
Serving Arlington Public Schools for a decade, Christopher worked with a wide variety of students ranging from elementary to post-secondary education. He transferred to the Outdoor Lab from the Arlington Career Center.
A Virginia native, Christopher enjoys being outside as often as possible with his family, loves to explore the Shenandoah region, but contends there is nowhere more beautiful than the majestic islands of Hawaii.He lives in Montclair with his wife , three daughters and son.
Anthony Adamovich
Resource Assistant, Outdoor Lab
Anthony (a.k.a. Mr. Moose) has been working at the Outdoor Lab since 1991.Anthony grew up in Arlington and attended APS schools. He worked as an intern at the Outdoor Lab in high school and helped build the original Outdoor Lab tipi as a Scout project.Anthony went to Northern Virginia Community College and to Prescott College in Central Arizona. His continuing education has included study of native wild edible plants, wildflowers, and amphibians, such as becoming a certified FrogWatcher through the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute.Anthony is also certified as a Wilderness First Responder. Among his many other experiences, he spent the 1997-1998 school year developing and leading programs for State Forests and Parks of Massachusetts under the Student Conservation Association and AmeriCorps. Anthony enjoys playing music, hiking, birdwatching, and exploring and being in the outdoors.He lives in Front Royal with his wife Na and their children.
Jessica Leslie
Resource Assistant, Outdoor Lab
Jessica (a.k.a. Ms. Bat) re-joined the Lab Staff full-time in 2017.
Jessica Leslie grew up in Peekskill, NY, a small Hudson River town 45 minutes from New York City. Two Parkland preserves were in her back yard and both her parents were avid art lovers, conservationists and organic gardeners. The choice for her was always between hiking in the woodlands or studying art. The art won, Leslie attended SUNY Purchase and graduated with a Bachelors in Fine Art and Art History. Most of her working career was in retail store design.
In addition she and her family enjoyed hosting Rotary Exchange students from 3 different countries Germany, Brazil and Indonesia. “This has been a wonderful way to expand our families knowledge of other countries and build life long friendships” said Leslie. In her free time she enjoys reading, painting, gardening, and exploring the natural world in all her travels.
Jessica began working at the Lab as a school based sub in 2007 where she has expanded her knowledge of Virginia’s flora and fauna. Jessica says, “Teaching through observation gives students one of the best learning experiences they can have in school, this is what makes my job at the lab challenging and inspirational as a teacher.”
Jessica lives in Arlington with her husband Scott Moore, son Nigel, a salt water tank of crazy beautiful fish and corals , and a fluffy cat Wally.
Gayle Rainbow
Resource Assistant, Outdoor Lab
Gayle joined the Lab Staff in 2019.
Gayle is a practicing Licensed Practical Nurse and recently completed the Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) training and is awaiting her national certification. She also carries a certificate for Mental Health First Aid for Adolescents.
In addition to having a science background, Gayle enjoys the outdoors and has been an Outdoor Ropes Course instructor.
Gayle resides in The Plains, Virginia.
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Tim Hymes
Resource Assistant, Outdoor Lab
Tim is a former Arlington resident who joined the Lab staff in 2022.
He is a lifelong learner who studied Outdoor Education at Appalachian State University.
Tim comes to the Lab with a variety of experiences from all around the world and he most enjoys sharing the wonder and beauty of the outdoors with his own children and the students of Arlington County.
Tim lives just minutes from the Lab with his family in Haymarket.
Hoang Nguyen
Custodian, Outdoor Lab
Hoang joined the Lab Staff in 2019 as its first, full-time custodian.
Hoang has 10 years of custodial experience with APS and most recently worked at Ashlawn Elementary School.
He has extensive experience with both indoor and outdoor maintenance of buildings and grounds.
Hoang resides in Manassas, Virginia.
Various
Bus Drivers, Outdoor Lab
APS chooses 1-2 experienced bus drivers to transport classes on their Outdoor Lab field trips. They pickup students at each school and safely get them to and from the Outdoor Lab.
