Faculty

Texas Nature Project faculty members are all professional educators committed to the intellectual, emotional, psychological, social, and spiritual growth of students. Students are challenged to work together with faculty to create the ideal community living experience.

The faculty director, a generalist in Philosophy with a specialty in environmental ethics, is responsible for maintaining the integrity of the programming elements to meet the goals of the curriculum.  The director has taught higher education for over 15 years, has extensive experience in service learning, and has successfully implemented integrated curricula.  The director lives on site and participates in the learning community 24 hours a day. Instruction is supplemented and extended through participation in Texas Nature Project’s Board membership, with leaders within the surrounding community, and with visiting faculty from other institutions.

Visiting Faculty

Martha Atkins. PhD student, Counselor Education and Supervision, University of Texas at San Antonio (anticipated May 2008); MA University of Texas at San Antonio, 1996; BA Psychology, Southwestern University, 1991.

Curtis D'Costa. Creative Writing. MFA student, University of Florida, BA English University of St. Thomas, 2006.

Doug Garrard. Development. BA Southern Illinois University. EdD, University of Texas, 2006; MEd University of Texas, 1993; BS General Agriculture, 1983.

Shelley Grahmann, Attorney. BA University of St. Thomas, 2002; JD University of Houston Law Center, 2005.

Helen Hays-Thomas. Technology. PhD student, Education, Walden University (anticipated May 2010); MS Loyola University, 1996; BS Elmhurst College, 1993.

Rebecca McKeever. Wildlife Biology. MA Environmental Education, University of Rhode Island, 1991; BS Marine Science/ Biology, Long Island University, 1989.

Helen Norris. Performing Arts. BA Communication, University of St. Thomas, 1994.

Emil Piscitelli, Author, Faculty. Philosophy. PhD Philosophy, Georgetown; MA Theology Harvard; STB, Gregorian University Rome.

Marsha Recknagel, Author, University Faculty. Creative Writing. PhD Rice University, MFA Bennington, Writer-in-Residence Rice Department of English.

Rose Signorello. Child Development. PhD Psychology, University of Houston, 1992; MEd University of Houston, 1981; BA Psychology, Wayne State University, 1974.

Trish Vandiver. Psychology, Animal Behavior, Biological basis for Morality. PhD University of Missouri-Columbia, 1988; MS, University of Missouri-Columbia, 1981; BA University of Missouri-Columbia, 1976.