Danna Pelaez, Bridging Ecology with Education
Danna Pelaez grew up in Los Angeles and began her career working in wildlife care at Pasadena Humane after earning her biology degree from Smith College. Over time, she noticed how disconnected many children and adults were from the natural world, inspiring her to pursue education as a bridge for students to connect with science. With a master’s in Anthrozoology and currently working toward a teaching credential and master’s in education at Alder Graduate School of Education, Danna is dedicated to fostering curiosity and ecological awareness in her students.
She discovered EnCorps through LinkedIn while exploring ways to transition into formal teaching without leaving her current profession. EnCorps provided the perfect opportunity to gain hands-on teaching experience while learning from mentor teachers.
Danna hopes to inspire her students to embrace their own connections to nature and science, encouraging them to see themselves as environmental stewards. “They are scientists, and they can make changes, small and big, in our communities. My role is to remind them of their potential,” she says.