We are delighted to introduce the LEAPS' Board, all of whom have made a deep commitment to children's learning, to preserving the natural world and to making art.
Jean Moon is the Founder and President of Tidemark Institute, a non-profit organization that advances innovation and research in STEM teaching and learning from kindergarten through the college years. Prior to the launch of Tidemark, Jean was Senior Scholar for Education Strategy & Planning at the National Academies in Washington, D.C., and a Senior Program Officer and the inaugural Director of the Board on Science Education. She has advised the Exxon Education Foundation on investments in mathematics and science education and has served as an associate professor at Lesley University. Jean has three sons.
Betsy Morrell is the former owner and Vice President of Marketing, Philanthropy and Employee Development at Downeast Energy, a third-generation family owned business. Since the sale of the business in 2013 she has been serving on boards that include Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Swans Island Company, and Ashwood Waldorf School. Additional board experience includes Maine Arts and the Institute for Family Owned Business. Betsy's passions are gardening and hiking. She has two children, ages 30 and 19, both of whom are visual artists.
Jocelyn Paquette is Manager of Wheeler Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, owned and operated by Maine Coastal Habitat Foundation in collaboration with Maine Coast Heritage Trust and Georges River Land Trust. She manages the 86-acre property with special emphasis on environmental education for young people. She comes from a varied background as an entrepreneur, health care provider in Haiti, and teacher's aide. She has raised three children in Maine and lives adjacent to the wildlife sanctuary. Jocelyn is directly involved in habitat restoration and infrastructure maintenance, and is an active volunteer for Georges River Land Trust and Dartmouth College's Minority Business Programs.
Sandy Weisman is the owner of 26 Split Rock Cove in Thomaston, ME, an artist's retreat, offering workshops in art making and writing. She is a book maker, mixed media artist, and published poet. Her interest in artist books comes from a long interest in words and images. The former Director of Gallery Education at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Sandy is the coordinator of CMCA's Look Inside, connecting students through creative observation to contemporary art. Sandy has been involved in LEAPS of IMAGINATION since 2014 and teaches in the program when the need arises. She has two children and three grandchildren.