City to Sanctuary Educators
Dr. Maysaa Bazna
Maysaa is an educator, researcher, and an avid advocate for children having a voice in their education. She founded Pono and continues as its director. Her mission is to help cultivate children‘s intrinsic humanity and wisdom with the goal of creating a more just and harmonious world. Maysaa received her doctorate in curriculum and teaching and master’s degrees in reading and learning disabilities from Columbia University Teachers College and was a member of the faculty at Teachers College and City University of New York. Her daughter is a student at Pono.
Steve Ricker
Steve Ricker has 30 years experience as a naturalist and educator and holds a B.S. in Environmental Sciences & Wildlife Management from Unity College in Maine, one of the leading environmental colleges in the country. He is the Director of Conservation & Wildlife Management at Westmoreland Nature Sanctuary in Mt. Kisco, NY. Steve’s environmental philosophy is, “it is most efficient to work with nature as opposed to trying to do the work of nature ourselves”. Education is the most effective tool to shape the future of our planet and our local communities.
Utako Hariya
Utako’s background is in business. She holds a Bachelor of Science in marketing from Bentley University in Massachusetts. She took a 10-year break from the corporate world when her son was born. While raising him and participating in various children’s activities at home and at school, she discovered that she enjoyed interacting with children. She took a position as an assistant teacher where she found joy! She loves cooking, traveling, dancing, learning about different cultures, and sharing her Japanese culture.
Sandra Andrade
Sandra was born and raised in Ecuador and received a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Guayaquil. After she moved to the United States, she became involved in early childhood education through her daughters. She had volunteered at their daycare center in Brooklyn and spent 17 happy years as a teaching assistant. Sandra believes that children learn best through active experiences, and she enjoys hands-on activities with them. She loves to engage children through music, and you’ll often hear her singing with the children! Her pastimes include walks in the park, spending time in nature, and going out with her three adult daughters.
Collin Martin
Collin began working at Westmoreland in 2018. He is a 2014 Salve Regina University graduate with a degree in Environmental Studies. Collin has worked in environmental education since then, having taught all over New England and in Southern California. He is also a former Program Director for the YMCA.
Towa Mikami
Towa is an intern at City to Sanctuary. He is a high school student at Pono and has been going there since kindergarten. He has an interest in nature and visits Westmoreland Sanctuary frequently with his school. His hobbies include sports and exploring.