NYLC Training Staff
Elizabeth Koenig
Elizabeth Koenig has been with NYLC since 2008 and focuses specifically on the connection between service-learning and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math). This expertise was enhanced by her experience working with schools and teachers across the country through the three-year Generator Go Green Initiative, which engaged students in addressing issues of environmental sustainability through STEM based service-learning. Elizabeth has presented on the use of service-learning in the STEM classroom at the National Science Teachers Association Conference, the National Service-Learning Conference, the Colloquium on P12 STEM Education Research and Scaling STEM Conference. She loves introducing participants to service-learning and seeing them make the connection to how service-learning can enhance their work with young people.
Melissa Mitchell
Melissa Mitchell has a dual degree and Psychology and African-American Studies, and has made a career as a youth development advocate. Melissa manages NYLC’s teen driver safety program and loves working with passionate youth and adults who believe in a higher calling for their work. Her ability to inspire others, organize and train youth to be the leaders in their education and life continues to tap her creativity, tests and expands her knowledge regularly.
Marcus Penny
Marcus Penny comes from an education in politics, but stepped away from the world of political campaigns to serve in the AmeriCorps LEAP Initiative. There he tutored students, building their confidence and character. At NYLC, Marcus helps foster the online community in the Generator School Network, and takes charge of online learning resources, specializing in video production. He brings a unique set of skills to the NYLC training team that focuses on making sure that the online training experiences are as high-quality and interactive as our in-person trainings.
Caryn Pernu
Caryn Pernu has more than 20 years’ experience in K-12 education and eight years’ experience in service-learning professional development, research, and policy. A graduate of the University of Minnesota in English and English Education, Caryn specializes in service-learning curriculum design and service-learning for experienced educators. She has helped design and lead teacher institutes on service-learning, consulted with state departments of education on teacher professional development and service-learning program development, and conducting workshops at multiple national and state gatherings, including the Arizona Statewide K-12 Academic Service-Learning Conference, the National Service-Learning Conference, the National Urban Service-Learning Institute, and National Conference on Volunteering and Service. Her interests include exploring how service-learning can be a strategy for connecting classroom and informal learning, the intersections of science education and public policy, and connecting local and global issues through service-learning.
Lana Peterson
Lana Peterson brings experience working as a classroom teacher as well as a district Service-Learning Coordinator to NYLC's training team, with a strong focus on school initiatives. She works closely with educators, service-learning coordinators, and youth through the Generator School Network, an online community of over 2300 members. Lana has led training sessions at NYLT, Guilford County Schools and Fond du Lac Ojibwe School, and the International Center for Service-Learning in Teacher Education Conference. Taking her training experience online, she delivers webinars on a variety of topics and prides herself on following best practices for online facilitation of professional development. Lana is currently doing post-graduate studies in learning technologies, strengthening her skills for integrating technology into trainings and education as well was delivering professional development in an online setting.
Susan Root
Dr. Susan Root currently serves as Research Director for the National Youth Leadership Council and as a professional development provider, with particular expertise in the Understanding by Design teaching framework. Sue was a professor of Education at Alma College in Michigan for sixteen years, where she taught Early Childhood Education, Educational Psychology, and Growth and Development. While at Alma, Sue served as regional director of the National Service-Learning in Teacher Education Partnership (NSLTEP) and also co-led a seminar course on service-learning for inservice teachers. She has conducted numerous evaluation studies of NYLC’s programs as well as an evaluation of a Teacher Quality Enhancement grant project at Western State College. Her recent publications include Service-learning in elementary schools: What’s developmentally appropriate? and Service-learning as a promising approach for high school civic engagement(co-authored with Shelley Billig).
Justin VerMeer
Justin VerMeer, Youth Engagement Coordinator, works across the organization engaging youth in all aspects of NYLC’s work specifically focusing on the National Youth Leadership Training, the Youth Advisory Council, and youth trainings. His background is in transferring leadership lessons from the backcountry to the frontcountry and challenging deeper learning through reflection and conversation. He looks forward to spending time talking with youth about the issues that matter to them and their communities, and their role in imagining a better world.
Youth Advisory Council
The NYLC Youth Advisory Council is a team of young servant leaders from across the U.S. recognized for their dedication to promoting youth leadership, service-learning, youth-adult partnerships, diversity, and the achievement gap. YAC members have facilitated both online and in-person trainings on topics such as Youth Impact: Evaluating Your Impact and Celebrating Success; Get SMART, Close the Gap; Developing a Publicity Plan for Service-Learning Projects; and Developing Partnerships. Each year, YAC members take lead roles before and during the National Youth Leadership Training, by planning activities, serving as mentors, and facilitating workshops. NYLC values youth voice and strives to authentically engage the skills and talents of YAC members whenever possible in delivering trainings.
