Meet Our Administrative Staff
Alyssa Butler – WASC Coordinator, Age 23
Schooling Degrees/Attained: BS in Biology and Applied Math from the University of Washington
Additional Certifications: American Red Cross First Aid/CPR
Experience Working with Children: I have volunteered at the Seattle Aquarium for 3 years and throughout college was a math tutor for middle and high school students.
Additional Interests: Running, reading, and birding
Schooling Degrees/Attained: BS in Biology and Applied Math from the University of WashingtonAdditional Certifications: American Red Cross First Aid/CPR
Experience Working with Children: I have volunteered at the Seattle Aquarium for 3 years and throughout college was a math tutor for middle and high school students.
Additional Interests: Running, reading, and birding
Amanda Cassidy – Visiting School Liaison, Age 25
Schooling Degrees/Attained: BS in Recreation, Parks, and Leisure Services with an emphasis in Outdoor Education from Central Michigan University
Additional Certifications: American Red Cross Wilderness 1st Aid/CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer/Lay Responder Instructor/Lifeguard, American Camp Association Health Site Supervisor, Project WET, Project Learning Tree, and California Childcare Preventative Health and Safety
Experience Working with Children: I have spent many years working in summer camp and outdoor education environments. I have spent 4 summers at Camp Arbutus Hayo-Went-Ha as a counselor and Waterfront Director in Michigan, 5 seasons at the Camp Hayo-Went-Ha outdoor education program, and 1 summer at Pali Overnight Adventures as a Group Leader. I also coached freshman high school volleyball and softball.
Additional Interests: Traveling, playing tennis, crafting, reading, taking pictures, and wearing the color pink
Schooling Degrees/Attained: BS in Recreation, Parks, and Leisure Services with an emphasis in Outdoor Education from Central Michigan UniversityAdditional Certifications: American Red Cross Wilderness 1st Aid/CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer/Lay Responder Instructor/Lifeguard, American Camp Association Health Site Supervisor, Project WET, Project Learning Tree, and California Childcare Preventative Health and Safety
Experience Working with Children: I have spent many years working in summer camp and outdoor education environments. I have spent 4 summers at Camp Arbutus Hayo-Went-Ha as a counselor and Waterfront Director in Michigan, 5 seasons at the Camp Hayo-Went-Ha outdoor education program, and 1 summer at Pali Overnight Adventures as a Group Leader. I also coached freshman high school volleyball and softball.
Additional Interests: Traveling, playing tennis, crafting, reading, taking pictures, and wearing the color pink
Dustin Handrich - Program Coordinator, Age 23
Schooling Degrees/Attained: Major in Psychology and a minor in Sociology from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire
Additional Certifications: First Aid, CPR, and AED certified. Waterfront Lifeguard, Archery Instructor
Experience Working with Children: I have worked at Camp Eagle Ridge in Mellen, WI for the past 6 summers as a counselor and currently as the Program and Waterfront Director. I have also worked as a Program Coordinator for the Boys & Girls Club for 1-year as well as a Remedial Math and Reading Teacher for 1 year.
Additional Interests: Rock Climbing, music, Ultimate Frisbee, football season (avid Green Bay Packers fan), the outdoors, and surfing.
Schooling Degrees/Attained: Major in Psychology and a minor in Sociology from the University of Wisconsin – Eau ClaireAdditional Certifications: First Aid, CPR, and AED certified. Waterfront Lifeguard, Archery Instructor
Experience Working with Children: I have worked at Camp Eagle Ridge in Mellen, WI for the past 6 summers as a counselor and currently as the Program and Waterfront Director. I have also worked as a Program Coordinator for the Boys & Girls Club for 1-year as well as a Remedial Math and Reading Teacher for 1 year.
Additional Interests: Rock Climbing, music, Ultimate Frisbee, football season (avid Green Bay Packers fan), the outdoors, and surfing.
Greg Santen – Program Coordinator, Age 29
Schooling Degrees/Attained: BS in Outdoor Recreation from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale
Additional Certifications: First Aid/CPR/AED
Experience Working with Children: I started out at Camp Ondessonk in Southern Illinois when I was 16, where I spent 6 summers as well as 1 year with their OE program. From there I went on to work at 2 YMCA camps in New Hampshire and Connecticut before ending up at Pali as an instructor in the Fall of 2007. I am now in my 2nd season as a Program Coordinator.
Additional Interests: Playing the guitar, listening to music, backpacking, hiking, traveling, and the St. Louis Cardinals
Schooling Degrees/Attained: BS in Outdoor Recreation from Southern Illinois University – CarbondaleAdditional Certifications: First Aid/CPR/AED
Experience Working with Children: I started out at Camp Ondessonk in Southern Illinois when I was 16, where I spent 6 summers as well as 1 year with their OE program. From there I went on to work at 2 YMCA camps in New Hampshire and Connecticut before ending up at Pali as an instructor in the Fall of 2007. I am now in my 2nd season as a Program Coordinator.
Additional Interests: Playing the guitar, listening to music, backpacking, hiking, traveling, and the St. Louis Cardinals
Jolee Jones – Director/Ropes Director, Age 29
Schooling Degrees/Attained: BS in Recreational Administration from Texas State University – San Marcos, MS in Experiential Education from Minnesota State University – Mankato
Additional Certifications: First Aid/CPR, Challenge Course Manager through the ACCT, American Camp Association Health Site Supervisor
Experience Working with Children: I have many years of working with children, including the G.O.A.L Program - Challenge Course at Texas State University from 1999-2003, The Outdoor School in Marble Falls, Texas from 2003-2005, Pali Overnight Adventures from 2007 to present, and Pali Institute from 2007 to present.
Additional Interests: Cycling, rock climbing, snowboarding, playing my guitar, live music, and road trips.
Schooling Degrees/Attained: BS in Recreational Administration from Texas State University – San Marcos, MS in Experiential Education from Minnesota State University – MankatoAdditional Certifications: First Aid/CPR, Challenge Course Manager through the ACCT, American Camp Association Health Site Supervisor
Experience Working with Children: I have many years of working with children, including the G.O.A.L Program - Challenge Course at Texas State University from 1999-2003, The Outdoor School in Marble Falls, Texas from 2003-2005, Pali Overnight Adventures from 2007 to present, and Pali Institute from 2007 to present.
Additional Interests: Cycling, rock climbing, snowboarding, playing my guitar, live music, and road trips.
Kerisha Steerman, RN, BSN – Camp Nurse, Age 23
Schooling Degrees/Attained: BS in Nursing from the University of Portland in Oregon
Additional Certifications: Registered Nurse in California and Oregon, American Heart Association Healthcare Provider – BLS & AED Certified, California Childcare Preventative Health and Safety, California Childcare First Aid
Experience Working with Children: I have been a camp counselor for middle and high school aged children, I was a youth group leader for high school students, volunteered at a center for medically fragile children, and was the head nurse at an Easter Seals camp for disabled children in Wisconsin.
Additional Interests: Movies, peacocks, red licorice, scarves, pumpkin spice lattes, and everything the Fall has to offer such as leaves changes colors, cold, sunny days, and pumpkin patches
Schooling Degrees/Attained: BS in Nursing from the University of Portland in Oregon Additional Certifications: Registered Nurse in California and Oregon, American Heart Association Healthcare Provider – BLS & AED Certified, California Childcare Preventative Health and Safety, California Childcare First Aid
Experience Working with Children: I have been a camp counselor for middle and high school aged children, I was a youth group leader for high school students, volunteered at a center for medically fragile children, and was the head nurse at an Easter Seals camp for disabled children in Wisconsin.
Additional Interests: Movies, peacocks, red licorice, scarves, pumpkin spice lattes, and everything the Fall has to offer such as leaves changes colors, cold, sunny days, and pumpkin patches
Michael Urbach – Visiting School Coordinator, Age 31
Schooling Degrees/Attained: BA in Biology from National – Louis University in Chicago, IL
Additional Certifications: First Aid/CPR, Project Learning Tree Facilitator, Project WILD/WILD Aquatic Facilitator, Blood Borne Pathogens Training
Experience Working with Children: I have worked in many settings with children from summer camps to toy stores to Outdoor/Environemtnal Education programs. I have been with Pali Institute for the past 5 years, starting as a Program Instructor and moving up to my current position of Visiting School Coordinator. Prior to moving to California, I was an Assistant Manager at 2 children’s toy stores, a summer camp counselor, and a Program Leader at 2 Environmental Education centers in the Chicagoland area.
Additional Interests: Playing sports of all kinds, reading books, watching old television series on DVD, and watching all my favorite Chicago sports teams.
Schooling Degrees/Attained: BA in Biology from National – Louis University in Chicago, ILAdditional Certifications: First Aid/CPR, Project Learning Tree Facilitator, Project WILD/WILD Aquatic Facilitator, Blood Borne Pathogens Training
Experience Working with Children: I have worked in many settings with children from summer camps to toy stores to Outdoor/Environemtnal Education programs. I have been with Pali Institute for the past 5 years, starting as a Program Instructor and moving up to my current position of Visiting School Coordinator. Prior to moving to California, I was an Assistant Manager at 2 children’s toy stores, a summer camp counselor, and a Program Leader at 2 Environmental Education centers in the Chicagoland area.
Additional Interests: Playing sports of all kinds, reading books, watching old television series on DVD, and watching all my favorite Chicago sports teams.
Paul Clemens – Education Coordinator, Age 31
Schooling Degrees/Attained: BS in Wildlife Management/Ecology from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point
Additional Certifications: First Aid/CPR, Project Learning Tree, Project WILD/WILD Aquatic, Project WET Facilitator, US Wildlife Scientific Collection Permit
Experience Working with Children: I have been working at Pali Institute for 4 years. I also worked at the Aurora University Outdoor Education Center in Wisconsin of a year, and have been a high school substitute teacher and high school lacrosse coach for a year in Minnesota.
Additional Interests: Hiking in the desert, playing in the ocean, the Minnesota Vikings, and Minnesota Twins
Schooling Degrees/Attained: BS in Wildlife Management/Ecology from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens PointAdditional Certifications: First Aid/CPR, Project Learning Tree, Project WILD/WILD Aquatic, Project WET Facilitator, US Wildlife Scientific Collection Permit
Experience Working with Children: I have been working at Pali Institute for 4 years. I also worked at the Aurora University Outdoor Education Center in Wisconsin of a year, and have been a high school substitute teacher and high school lacrosse coach for a year in Minnesota.
Additional Interests: Hiking in the desert, playing in the ocean, the Minnesota Vikings, and Minnesota Twins
Ryan Rossi – Assistant Ropes Course Director
Austin, TX
I started working in Outdoor Education 7 years ago; the diverse group of people and the constant challenges are what keep me going. I love the outdoors and I love helping children to enjoy them just as much as I do. I really enjoy laughing, so if you know any good jokes… bring it! P.S. I really like pancakes!!
Austin, TX
I started working in Outdoor Education 7 years ago; the diverse group of people and the constant challenges are what keep me going. I love the outdoors and I love helping children to enjoy them just as much as I do. I really enjoy laughing, so if you know any good jokes… bring it! P.S. I really like pancakes!!
TJ Roberts – Program Instructor
Huntington, NY
Hey, my name is TJ. I'm from Long Island, New York and a graduate of SUNY Albany. I began working with kids when I was still a kid myself by reffing soccer matches when I was 15. Since then I have coached basketball, reffed paintball camp, tutored, been a summer camp group leader, and a Jr. Police Lieutenant. I love the outdoors and finding new places. My favorite food is anything made by mom, and my rare talent is making the sound of a clown or a bicycle horn.
Huntington, NY
Hey, my name is TJ. I'm from Long Island, New York and a graduate of SUNY Albany. I began working with kids when I was still a kid myself by reffing soccer matches when I was 15. Since then I have coached basketball, reffed paintball camp, tutored, been a summer camp group leader, and a Jr. Police Lieutenant. I love the outdoors and finding new places. My favorite food is anything made by mom, and my rare talent is making the sound of a clown or a bicycle horn.