Our digital series, Pride In Our People, features the incredible staff at the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium through written first-person narratives and/or podcast interviews.

Today, we are featuring Beth N. from the education team!
This is her story…

As a Senior Education Specialist at the Zoo, I create and teach programs geared toward anyone who wants to learn about animals, no matter their age. In other words, I spend my days talking about how cool animals are! The Zoo offers programs on a wide variety of topics. Classes for younger children may focus on basic adaptations like coloration or movement, but classes for older students and adults cover more complex topics like climate change, conservation of endangered species or the inner workings of the Zoo itself. All of this means that, as an educator, I am constantly learning and updating my own knowledge base.

Overcoming Challenges

While I have a degree in Biology and have always been interested in animals, I used to get quite nervous about public speaking. Now it is something I have developed a talent for and genuinely love doing! That’s the magic of animals – when I am talking about them, it comes naturally and, no matter how big the audience might be, I can relax and enjoy helping people understand just how amazing the animal world really is.

With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Zoo had to rethink its approach to education. Though I was initially concerned about losing the impact of meeting live animals during a program, we have adapted to facilitate virtual programs that still give participants an enriching, personalized animal encounter, while maintaining everyone’s safety. Some of our program animals have even emerged as Zoom stars!​

Making Connections

My job at the Zoo allows me to inspire people, not just to respect animals, but to continue learning about them. In my experience, most people have a natural affection for animals, and the opportunity to meet and interact with them only enhances that feeling. I know that, for me, seeing someone form a bond with one of our animals is something I never get tired of witnessing. By fostering this connection through our education programs, I hope the Zoo helps people develop a deeper respect for nature and a greater concern for the urgent conservation issues facing wildlife worldwide.

Remember: no one is too young or too old to get involved in conservation, and no action is too small. As an Educator at the Zoo, it is my joy and privilege to help our program participants realize that we all have the power to make a difference.

Favorite Activities

While I love teaching all types of programs, my favorite has to be Zoo Camp each summer. Kids from ages 4 to 13 spend an entire week at the Zoo learning about animals – and their energy and excitement are contagious!  I’m happiest in front of a group who is interested in animals and ask a lot of questions, and our Zoo Campers never disappoint in that regard.  Kids today have access to incredible amounts of information, literally at their fingertips, and it shows in their knowledge and curiosity about our animals. Even after 16 years at the Zoo, the kids participating in our programs ask questions I’ve never heard before. It keeps me on my toes, and it is encouraging to see kids thinking in creative and critical ways.

Like most of our staff, I was drawn to working at the Zoo by the animals themselves. The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is home to an extraordinary group of Education Ambassador animals and forming bonds with them is part of my job I hold very dear. These lovable creatures represent their wild counterparts and inspire the people who meet them and hear their stories. They have the power to help animals all over the world from right here in Pittsburgh!  While people are generally very excited to meet the soft, furry animals, things that are a bit scalier, a bit pricklier, or that have a few extra legs can sometimes present a challenge.

Personal Mission

My mission is to help people understand the role that each animal plays in the ecosystem and how each animal’s design serves that purpose. By fostering an appreciation for the beauty and importance of every animal – no matter how scaly – I hope to instill in zoo-goers a sense of respect for all living things.

It is truly an honor to be part of an organization that works to have a positive impact on animals, people and the environment.  I end every program I teach with a call to action: keep learning.  The more we learn, the better able we all are to advocate for the animals we care about.

Thank you for all you do, Beth!