Fei Ji, Houston Educator

Fei has just come to ACE from a year of volunteering in the island territory of American Samoa with WorldTeach. She alternated between teaching high school science to her rambunctious Samoan students and snorkeling the turquoise waters of the Pacific Ocean. It was there that she realized she wanted to continue educating students on the importance of protecting and preserving the environment. Before she shipped off to the South Pacific, she worked for two different planetariums in helping design astronomy shows and also lent a hand in developing curriculum for O.B.U.G.S (Oakland Based Urban Gardens).

With a B.S. in Chemical Biology and a minor in Education from U.C. Berkeley, Fei is now putting her science background to good use in the pursuit of educating further generations about climate change. In her free time, she likes to excessively indulge her sweet tooth, break out in spontaneous stupid dance parties and push the limits of her public library card membership.

AJ Sheppard, Lead Educator  

AJ is a native Texan and is a graduate of the University of Texas @ El Paso (UTEP) with a BA in Criminal Justice. Also during his time at UTEP, AJ was a member of the football team as a defensive back. He just finished his 7th year of teaching (history) and coaching (football, basketball, & track) with the last two years being in the Houston area. Between teaching and coaching he chases around his 16-month-old and keeps her from going after her four-month-old baby brother. In his down time, AJ loves to play golf, basketball and takes part in mentoring programs targetign young men who are at a crossroads in life. ACE has provided AJ with the best of both worlds: continuing to do what he knows best - working with students - and also making an impact on the Earth his kids will grow up on by educating others on how they can help.

David Burks, Austin Educator

David comes to us with years of successful sales, business development, and marketing experience.  He is passionate about environmental issues and entrepreneurship and wants to use his skills to help both young people and business professionals make the transition to more sustainable and environmentally responsible ways of living.  In his spare time David likes to cook, read, and hike with his Rhodesian Ridgebacks.