OIEE - Faculty

Oxford Institute for Environmental Education


	The faculty of the Oxford Institute for Environmental Education have considerable experience in field biology and in leading ecology workshops. All faculty members have taught for more than ten years in the Oxford Institute and have had extensive additional professional field experience in their teaching, research and environmental consulting. Professors Baker, Carter, and Wade do the preplanning of major topics and activities utilized in the workshop. A Gwinnett County teacher, Sherry Abts, works closely with the Oxford faculty to integrate state curriculum requirements, content standards, assessment rubrics, classroom management, and teacher support. All four faculty members attend and teach every day of the workshop. The faculty credentials and accomplishments are as follows:
Dr. Eloise Carter: Dr. Carter earned an B.A. in Biology from Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia; an M.S. and Ph.D. in Biology from Emory University. She was previously on the faculty at Agnes Scott College and Emory University. Born in Rome, Georgia, Dr. Carter has studied southeastern forest systems and granite outcrop communities for over twenty years. She has worked with the Ecological Society of America on initiatives to bring together ecologists and teachers to support science instruction in the precollege curriculum. In addition, Dr. Carter is the past President of the Association of Southeastern Biologists. Dr. Carter is author of numerous papers and two books: Investigating Biology (2008) and Guide to the Plants of Granite Outcrops (2000) a photographic field guide published by the University of Georgia Press. Dr. Carter was awarded the Meritorious Teaching Award by the Association of Southeastern Biologists. She has been recognized at Oxford with the Phi Theta Kappa Teaching Award and the Fleming Award for excellence in teaching. In addition, she received the Williams Award from Emory University for teaching excellence.
Dr. Steve Baker: Steve Baker is a Professor of Biology and joined the faculty at Oxford College in 1990 and he has served as the Director of the Oxford Institute for Environmental Education since 1991. Dr. Baker was born in Tennessee, and earned a B.S. in Wildlife Management and a M.S. in Zoology (Stream Ecology) from Tennessee Technological University, and the Ph.D. in Zoology (Fisheries Management) from Southern Illinois University. For three years, he worked as a Fisheries Biologist for the state of Arkansas. Dr. Baker teaches courses in Zoology, General Biology, Anatomy and Physiology, and Freshwater Ecology. His research interests address stream ecology and the assessment of pollution impacts using aquatic organisms. He has been an instructor in the “Becoming an Outdoorswoman” program, and has assisted the Georgia Department of Natural Resources with the design of aquatic education materials for use in the classroom. Dr. Baker has served on the curriculum writing team for middle school teacher education for the state of Georgia. Dr. Baker has been awarded Oxford’s Phi Theta Kappa and Fleming Awards for outstanding teaching, and the Williams Award from Emory University for teaching excellence.
Mrs. Theodosia Wade: Mrs. Wade is a Senior Lecturer in Biology at Oxford College. Raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Theodosia earned a B.S. in Biology from Presbyterian College in 1976. She taught eighth grade Earth Science for two years before attending graduate school at Auburn University, where she earned a Masters of Arts in College Teaching in Zoology in 1980. Ms. Wade began her college teaching career at the College of Charleston in Charleston, SC. In the fall of 1988, Theodosia joined the faculty at Oxford College in a dual role as lecturer and laboratory coordinator for the biology department. While at Oxford College, she has taught courses such as Zoology, Anatomy and Physiology, Environmental Science and General Biology for non-majors. She has been an instructor in the “Becoming an Outdoorswoman” program, is also a member of the Board of Directors of EEA of Georgia, and has been awarded the Phi Theta Kappa Teaching Award.
Ms. Anyie Li: Anyie is Assistant Program Coordinator for the Oxford Institute for Environmental Education. She earned her B.A. in International Studies from the University of Washington with a minor in Human Rights. As a Seattle native, she is passionate about issues of environmentalism and sustainability. She has previously worked with The University of Washington Pipeline Project, The World Affairs Council of Seattle, and The Georgia Close Up Foundation. Anyie joined the Oxford Institute for Environmental Education community in the Fall of 2008.
Sherry Abts: Sherry is a Science Specialist at Craig Elementary School in Gwinnett County. She completed her undergraduate degree at St. Norbert College in DePere, Wisconsin and attended graduate school at Georgia State University. She acts as Master Teacher for the Oxford Institute for Environmental Education and brings 30 years of experience to the table. Sherry has previously worked with students grades Kindergarten through 8th in inner-city Baltimore, rural Appalachian West Virginia, and Native American schools in Minneapolis. She has also worked in Environmental Education as a Project Wild teacher and facilitator and initiated, directed, and maintained outdoor classroom projects at three Gwinnett County Schools. Sherry received the Teacher of the Year Award in 1998-1999 from Magill Elementary and 2005-2006 from Craig Elementary and the Carolyn Crayton Woman of the Year Award.