Education Staff at the Alaska Zoo


Education & Rentals Staff

Mary Chambers, Camp Coordinator		Lisa Chickos, Outreach Coordinator
I am originally from Anchorage, AK. I have a Bachelors of Science degree from University of Alaska Anchorage and have worked at the zoo since 2007. My experiences here have included volunteer work, seasonal outreach, leading behind-the-scenes tours, and special event employment. I currently develop and lead educational camp programs, including summer and winter Adventure Camps, Zoo Explorers and Storytime. I especially enjoy my involvement in training and presenting with outreach animals.		My husband and I moved to Alaska in the summer of 2007. Prior to working at the Zoo, I worked with bottlenose dolphins and rough-toothed dolphins at a marine mammal rehabilitation and public display facility in Panama City Beach, FL. I have also done seal and sea lion rescues and releases for The Marine Mammal Center of Monterey Bay, CA. At our Zoo, I work with our red foxes, porcupines, mountain goat, raccoon, camels, magpies, owls and reptiles. My interests include hiking, camping, chasing after my huskies and struggling to learn how to snowboard.

Katie Larson, Education Director		Jana Sirova, Rentals Coordinator
I am from Wichita, Kansas and moved to Alaska with my husband in 1998. I have a B.S. in Biology from Kansas State University and attended Eastern Kentucky University for post-graduate work. My work experience includes designing interpretive programs for State Parks in Kansas (summer intern), working as a technician at Konza Tallgrass Prairie reserve in Kansas, and being a wildlife technician for biological surveys in Kentucky. I was hired as Education Director in 1998. I am responsible for programs, the web site, and partnering with agencies on education projects. I enjoy working with education animals and visitors. I spend free time with my husband, kids and sled dog team.		I was born in Zilina, Slovakia where I spent most of my life. During high school I started to gain work experience in education with zoos and sea life centers in England and Ireland. Giving presentations and teaching people about animals have always been my passions. Some of my former duties included feeding sharks and sea turtles while presenting to visitors. After high school I moved to Alaska where I started at Alaska Zoo as a volunteer. After one year of volunteering, I was hired as the education assistant. I worked as Camp Coordinator until I switched positions to coordinate the Gateway, lawn and greenhouse facilities. I am also a full time student at the University of Alaska Anchorage where I am working on degrees in business and biology. My job is my hobby and I enjoy spending time with my dogs on hikes.

Education & Rentals Staff