"Meet Our New Educator, Shannon Escobedo..."

Meet Shannon,
Our New Educator!

Shannon Escobedo has been a very busy bee this past month she's been at The Discovery Center. As a new educator, Shannon, 24, has explored the park grounds, just like the excited youngsters she'll be teaching. While doing some exploring of her own, Shannon has made some very interesting discoveries all over the park grounds.

"It was 'Taxidermy Rescue Day'," Shannon said with a laugh. "I've been finding hidden gems in the garages and the barn." Besides taxidermies, Shannon found shell collections, animal skins, insect displays and much more while hunting for materials to use for her Animal Mania class. She's been busy repairing models and animal specimens to get them ready for display at the Center.

Before becoming part of The Discovery Center family, Shannon worked at Fresno's Chaffee Zoo for 6 years. Her experience as an educator at the zoo gave her a head start for her position at the Center. From there, she earned degrees in biology and video from Fresno State. She's currently working on her Master's degree in video, while she documents the kind of work she does at the Center in her thesis.

If it sounds like Shannon Escobedo is perfectly in her element at The Discovery Center, you're right! She's been a nature and animal lover right from the start. "I've loved biology since I was 3 years old," Shannon said. Her fascination with nature and the study of animals makes her Animal Mania class one to look forward to. She's a huge fan of the hands-on style of learning that the Center has to offer. "This is something you can't get in schools," Shannon explained. "You don't have the skulls and skins to pass around. It's just not the same without touching it."

Knowing that all children have a different way of learning new concepts, she appreciates The Discovery Center's ability to reach students of all ages. "The Discovery Center helps all kinds of learners, from visual to hands-on." Her favorite part of working at the Center is the enthusiasm of her co-workers. "This place is so full of possibilities," Shannon said. "I just love coming to work everyday!"

Don't miss Shannon's Animal Mania class, Saturdays in January. She'll be teaching classes mammals, birds, fish and more! Teacher's can also request a special presentation just for their class!