Our Overnight Adventures Team
Meet our wonderful staff, each bringing their own unique knowledge and experience to Nature's Classroom Institute. All are CPR and First Aid trained, background checked and will undertake ongoing NCI training to ensure they deliver the best learning experience possible.
Wisconsin Team
Outreach Director
Carrie Benzinger
After joining our Montessori School in February 2018, Carrie also joined the NCI Lake Geneva WI team in October 2018. Carrie grew up in the Milwaukee area, is married, has 3 sons and currently lives in the Mukwonago area. She enjoys cooking, baking and spending time with her family. Carrie is interested in everything Nature’s Classroom Institute (and Montessori School) offers students and is eager to learn much more about the entire program. She loves working with our Wisconsin schools to handle all of the logistics for them. If you would like to book a field trip to Camp Lake Carrie will be your contact.
Education Director
Sarah
Sarah grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and found a love for outdoor education through the High School Marine Biology program with the Shedd Aquarium. She then went on to teach environmental education in her time at Florida Gulf Coast University, through their Panther Posse program. These expanded her passion for the outdoors and desire to instill a sense of wonder in the community around her. In her free time Sarah enjoys paddleboarding, crocheting, and identifying mushrooms.
Assisstant Education Director
John
John grew up in northern Illinois and has always had a love for the outdoors. His enthusiasm for nature was fueled by family hikes at the local state park and by programs put on by the county’s conservation district. When he finished college John went to work at a summer camp in Wisconsin. He enjoys the outdoors and wants to help others enjoy it too. When not teaching John enjoys writing, hiking, biking, canoeing, and exploring the world around him.
Senior Environmental Educator
Charlotte
Charlotte recently graduated Marquette University with a bachelor’s in Journalism and Social Welfare and Justice. She’s passionate about finding healthier and alternative ways to live and learn in synchronicity with the planet. During the last few years, she’s worked with Milwaukee community centers and a health clinic to help provide resources and education to Milwaukee kids. She enjoys video games, reading, and walking in the woods with her dogs.
Environmental Educator
Natalie
Natalie grew up in Wisconsin and recently graduated from Ripon College with a bachelor’s degree in Biology and Environmental Studies. During her time in Ripon she enjoyed doing research with bumble bees, where she studied pollinators' floral preferences. In her free time she likes to run, garden, crochet, and travel. She is excited to be working and sharing her passions with students at NCI.
Environmental Educator
Noah
Noah is from South Texas and graduated from Texas A&M University with a bachelors in Environmental Studies. He likes to share his knowledge and experience of the outdoors with others and encourages them to seek out similar experiences. He loves to go out on hikes, play video games, fish, and enjoys the company of others.
Environmental Educator
Sydney
Sydney is an Environmental Educator from Elm Grove, Wisconsin. In May of 2025 she graduated from Loyola University Chicago with a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies. Sydney is passionate about protecting the environment and is excited to mentor the next generation of environmentalists. In her free time, Sydney loves to cook, sew, and watch sitcoms
Environmental Educator
Christine
Christine graduated from University of Stevens Point, with an Environmental Educator degree and a K-8th grade teaching license. She enjoys riding her bike, kayaking and playing volleyball in her free time.
Texas Team
Outreach Director
Britta
Britta first discovered her love for nature while exploring the woods and creeks in her Texas hometown. Her passion for environmental education has led her to teach children in multiple, diverse ecosystems all over the world, including in Montessori classrooms from ages 1 through adolescence. Britta has been with NCI since 2015 and loves having the opportunity to ignite students' passion for learning, year after year.
Education Director
Gareth
Gareth has spent many years in the outdoor adventure industry, from sailing, to climbing to building, he finds great joy in what surrounds him. He enjoys learning and excited to further his studies in nature down in sunny texas.
Environmental Educator
Mia
Mia recently earned her Bachelors of Science in Biology with a concentration in Ecology from Texas A&M University of Corpus Christi. There she developed interests in outdoor education, wildlife conservation, and trailwork. In her free time she enjoys traveling, swimming, and identifying insects. She is excited to share her love and knowledge of the natural world with students at NCI.
Environmental Educator
Janelly
Janelly graduated from Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science. Originally from Crowley, Texas, she enjoys traveling and exploring new places. Janelly is excited to share my knowledge and enthusiasm with students!
Environmental Educator
Jules
Originally from Southeastern Wisconsin, Jules studied Biology and Natural Resources at Northland College where she focused on ecological restoration. She is always down for an adventure, whether it be paddling down a river, road-tripping to a national park, or watching a new movie with friends. She is excited to expand her ecological knowledge as she explores the many sites and experiences NCI has to offer.
Traveling Team Leaders
Outreach Director
Britta
Britta first discovered her love for nature while exploring the woods and creeks in her Texas hometown. Her passion for environmental education has led her to teach children in multiple, diverse ecosystems all over the world, including in Montessori classrooms from ages 1 through adolescence. Britta has been with NCI since 2015 and loves having the opportunity to ignite students' passion for learning, year after year.
Education Director
Matt
Matt has been working in outdoor education since 2018 and has been teaching since 2014. Matt has worked in conservation landscaping, invasive management, and education. A native of northeast Tennessee, Matt received his undergraduate degree from UNC Greensboro in English and History, and his graduate degree from Goshen College in Environmental Education. In his spare time, Matt loves to read, to hike, to bird, and to watch movies. His favorite animal is the whale, his favorite color is purple, his favorite band is the Avett Brothers, and his favorite movie is the Lord of the Rings.
We would love you to explore the idea of working at one of our many sites as an Environmental Educator.