Bill Kent Jr., President and CEO, has led Youth Learning Center (YLC) since its inception. Recognizing that so many of the boys he grew up with did not have the family support he enjoyed and that many of those boys ended up in prison, Mr. Kent was moved to leave his business career and dedicate his professional life to improving academic and life outcomes of youth from under-resourced backgrounds.  He applied his background in business management to directing the original YLC building project in 2010 and the 2015 renovation. He has also overseen the development of programming from an all-volunteer organization to the current organization providing STEAM education through outreach programs and eventually the founding of The Biome School in 2015.  The Biome School is a new kind of K-8 school for the next generation – one that offers customized, project based and student-centered learning opportunities with an emphasis on growth mindset and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) education. The Biome charter school creates a balanced learning ecosystem in which teachers work together with students to cultivate a growth mindset as they discover their unique gifts, talents and interests. Mr. Kent earned his Bachelor of Science from Lindenwood University and joined Youth Learning Center after serving as a manager and career insurance underwriter with Reliable Insurance Company for 13 years.

1. What was your vision for creating The Biome?
   My vision was to create a school that would primarily be responsive to the academic needs of children and secondarily, contribute to emerging and innovative educational practices and our understanding of the way in which we learn.  Additionally, my goal was to create a school, that exudes a welcoming, diverse, and nurturing environment.
2. Why are you excited to work for The Biome?
   The Biome opens an entirely new world to our staff. The relationships that we are building with like-minded educators, community members, parents, and students are incredibly valuable.  The Biome’s opening has made many of these relationships possible.
3. What is your top bucket list item?
   My top bucket list item is to visit Israel.
4. What are you most proud of in your professional life?
   I’m most proud of my work with YLC and now The Biome. We are creating a unique organization that will help many children and educators cultivate a love for learning.
5. How do you want to be remembered?
   I would like to be remembered as a man who kept commitments to his family and his faith. It’s really important to stand for the things that are right, even when it requires sacrifice.  Life is not about the things that you want, but rather, about your impact on others; that’s true legacy.

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Dr. Pamela Retzlaff has been an educator for 36 years, working in private and public schools and as an adjunct university instructor. Dr. Retzlaff is dedicated to teaching and learning and has spent her career working with children, teachers and parents to provide the best learning experiences for each individual learner. She has spent extensive time studying, implementing and instructing others on implementing the RtI (Response to Intervention) model. She believes that by using the best practices in education you are providing the best opportunities for each learner. Dr. Retzlaff has a B.A. in Art Education from Cardinal Stritch University, an M.S. in Educational Administration from Bank Street College, Visual Arts certification from Parsons School of Design and a EdD. from St. Louis University. Dr. Retzlaff’s certifications are in Art Education K-12, Principal K-8, and Superintendent.

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Mark Kent is a native St. Louisan.  He received his Bachelor’s from Washington University and Master’s from DePaul University.  Mr. Kent joined The Biome Foundation in the summer of 2016.  He comes to us with a background in fundraising at Webster University and The Consortium for Graduate Study in Management.  He previously spent the first half of his professional career as an Opera Singer, singing both domestically and abroad.

Through working as President of The Biome Foundation, Mark is driven by the capacity to make a daily impact on the lives of our students.  In his spare time, Mark loves spending time with his family and running.

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Debbie has been helping companies organize and improve their accounting functions for over 15 years.  She received her B.S. in Accounting Information Systems from Maryville University in 2005, and has held positions in a variety of private industries, including legal, private funds, engineering, and construction.

Debbie joined our team in July 2016 and has been pro-active in understanding the challenges presented by both public school accounting and fundraising development.  She has gone above and beyond to ensure the integrity of prior, current, and future financial data and reporting.  Her goal is to continue building solid and efficient business processes for the multi-faceted entities of The Biome Foundation, The Biome School, and Youth Learning Center.

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Stacie Chronister joined YLC in December of 2014 as the Executive Assistant to the President and CEO of YLC and The Biome School.  She is a native St. Louisan, however lived in Chicago for five years and Indiana for 24 years.  She worked at a Community Mental Health Center in Indiana for 17 years in a variety of administrative positions.  She possesses a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Columbia College in Columbia, MO.

Stacie volunteers at The Biome School’s after school program, leading a piano club.  She is very passionate about the learners, and the mission of the school.  She shares her life with her dog Camelot, a Rough Coated Collie.

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Laura Cortner has dedicated her career to providing hands-on, minds-on learning experiences to all students. Laura holds a Master’s degree in Teaching, certification in Early Childhood Education, Special Reading certification K-12, CDA Professional Development Specialist, and a Bachelor’s degree in Human Services.

She and her family have road-tripped all over the 48 contiguous states exploring our National Parks. Laura has visited all but one! Her love for nature is evident in her approach to learning, and she enjoys offering opportunities to share that love through her work as a Department of Natural Resources Seasonal Naturalist. Laura is excited to bring her talents to learners at The Biome!

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Brian Dominick has been an early childhood educator for more than 12 years. He began his educational journey attending Cayuga Community College where he obtained his A.A. in Early Childhood Education. While studying there, he began teaching preschoolers through field experiences. Brian then went on to St. John Fisher College where he graduated with a B.S. in Childhood and Special Education. It was through this special education experience in the Rochester public school system that he was able to learn to individualize a given lesson to students of a variety of abilities and styles.

After graduating with his bachelor’s degree, Brian began substitute teaching in a rural district in Central New York. It was during this time that he was given the opportunity to teach English overseas for the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education in South Korea. Through this experience he was able to create teaching strategies for over 600 students, as well as 20 teachers. Upon returning to the states, Brian began teaching at the same elementary school that he was substitute teaching at before his trip overseas. Here he taught kindergarten for a little over a year before moving to NYC. While in NYC he taught at River School, working with preschoolers in a daycare on the Upper West Side. At River School he was able to learn about the Project Approach and create lessons and units by following his students interests. Brian took monthly field trips with his students in order to extend their learning from beyond the literature and classroom experience to the real world. He was able to continue his studies of the Project Approach while he received his M.S.E. in Early Childhood Education from Fordham University.

After teaching at the River School for 4 years, Brian and his family moved to St. Louis where he began teaching Pre-K at Forsyth School. Over the past 3 years he was part of a restructuring of the Pre-K program. He, along with his co-teachers, created a curriculum generated by the students interests while helping each child achieve their maximum potential. While at Forsyth, Brian was able to embrace his love of creating and focused heavily on the classroom’s dramatic play area. With the help of his students, he transformed the space into animal hospitals, pirate ships, and food trucks, amongst other things. He is a big fan of turning a cardboard box into anything his students can come up with and was able to use this talent to raise money during Forsyth’s biannual gala.

Brian is the father of a 3-year-old daughter and uses his home experiences to help him with his classroom teaching. He is very excited about teaching at The Biome and working with the diverse body of students and families.

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Chasity Douglas joined The Biome School’s staff in October of 2016.  She is a native St. Louisan. Chasity has over ten years of working with children.

Part of our mission focuses on the physical environment that our children learn in.  Chasity is a key component in ensuring that our children experience a clean and safe environment on a regular basis.

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Laurel Giacone is originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, and she moved to St. Louis in 2013 to pursue a Bachelor’s degree from Saint Louis University. She will be graduating and certified in May with that degree in Elementary and Special Education after completing her student teaching semester here in 2nd Grade. Teaching full-time this spring at The Biome offered Laurel her own project-based learning within her degree program; she is thrilled to put everything she has learned to use in her own project-based first grade next year! Building relationships with our 2nd graders and their families has been a powerful foundation for Laurel’s incorporation into the Biome community, and she is eager to continue getting to know our families next year.

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After receiving her B.S in Accounting and Finance in 2005 from the University of Missouri, Heena worked in the public accounting industry where she performed audits, reviews and compilations for a wide variety of industries. She effectively analyzed, evaluated and enhanced their client’s information systems internal controls processes and made recommendations. With the demanding long hours and lots of travel, Heena took a break from accounting to stay home and raise her family for a few years and has now returned to work with the Biome Team.

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Galicia Guerrero,  Manager of Community Relations, has been a member of the Youth Learning Center team since 2014 when she began as a practicum student. Over the years, Galicia has been instrumental in the development, implementation, and evaluation of high-impact STEAM programs as well as building and managing relationships with community partners to support YLC/The Biome School learners.

 Galicia holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, IN and a Masters of Social Work (MSW) from Washington University in St. Louis, with a concentration in Children, Youth, and Families and a specialization in Management. Galicia is passionate about increasing access to quality educational opportunities for children and families. She is excited to support the continuous growth and development of our learners and our school community. 

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Amy Hoffman graduated from the University of Richmond with a B.A. in English and Sport Science and an Education endorsement. As a teacher, she has worked with students of various ages and ability levels in diverse educational settings. She truly believes that an experiential approach in instruction enables students to more fully master skills and develop a lifelong passion for learning. She is tremendously excited to be part of The Biome School because of the innovative and cohesive atmosphere and the focus on a growth mindset.

Originally from the East coast, she has lived in Saint Louis for quite some time. She loves reading and playing board games with her three sons. She treasures being out-of-doors at any opportunity, and spends a great deal of time walking, hiking, camping, swimming, and rock climbing. One of her favorite things to do on weekend mornings is to sit outside in her camp chair, with her dog beside her and a strong cup of coffee in her hands. What a great way to start a day!

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Lindell Kent is the Facilities Manager for Youth Learning Center.   He began working for Youth Learning Center in 2003 as the Membership Services Coordinator.   Lindell enjoys working in a capacity that affords him the opportunity to serve others.  He is currently a student at Lindenwood University where is working towards his degree in Counseling.  He enjoys working around children and is committed to helping people.

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Myles Keough has been a member of the Youth Learning Center team since 2007 when he began working as a summer enrichment teacher. Over the years, Myles has infused creativity into YLC classes by creating and executing classes in art, animation, video game design, digital painting, robotics, and entrepreneurship – he is a proponent and resource for all things STEAM. He has been responsible for leading teachers in professional development, researching and designing innovative strategies to engage youth in STEAM education, and helping to expand YLC/The Biome community partnerships.

In addition to his background in K-12 education, Myles is a well-regarded professional artist, showing his artwork in high profile galleries and shows in the St. Louis Metro Area for over 10 years. He holds a bachelor of fine arts in studio art and a bachelor of science in art education from Culver Stockton College. Myles is a firm believer in creating classroom experiences that every learner would enjoy, including himself! He hopes that each day every learner is excited to go home and share new discoveries from their classes with their families.

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Ivette Lozano has been passionate about assisting others since elementary school, where she found it to be her duty to help other students that were struggling. Ivette has worked with multiple organizations through the AmeriCorps program since 2009, including organizations that help individuals who lacked the proper resources to obtain the justice they deserved and organizations where she served as an academic tutor. Ivette is also a former Teach For America corps member and she taught 3rd grade. As a teacher, she noticed that there were many students facing multiple obstacles when it came to academics. After growing up in a low-income environment herself, Ivette, recognizes how difficult it can be to obtain the assistance and resources someone needs to excel in academics.

Ivette is a graduate of California State University, Northridge and is currently working on her Master’s Degree in Elementary Education at the University of Missouri – St. Louis. She is eager to work and apply her knowledge and experience to ensure that The Biome students obtain the best education they possibly can.

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Daniel is new to The Biome School staff and he will be serving as a year long AmeriCorps member. He is originally from Mankato, Minnesota where he attended Minnesota State University and graduated with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Alcohol and Drug Studies. He moved to St. Louis and started working as a Drug Counselor for a period of time.

Next, Daniel moved to Rochester, Minnesota, became a member of Americorps, completed a year long program as an Elementary Literacy Tutor working with students from Kindergarten to 3rd grade, and discovered a new passion. He loved the kids he worked with and the staff at the school. This quickly became a catalyst in his life and created a change and a desire to help kids learn to love reading. Most recently, Daniel moved back to St. Louis and is very excited and encouraged to be apart of the Biome school family.

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Ashreale McDowell is a native of St. Louis, MO. She discovered her passion for dance in high school, at Central Visual and Performing Arts. She was rewarded with a pre-professional scholarship to COCA. Through the tough struggles of starting dance at a really late age, COCA helped her grow and develop her technique. She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Webster University. It was there, at Webster, where she was able to not only deepen her training as a dancer, but discover her artistry as a mover and performer. She has had the wonderful opportunity to work with artists such as Alicia Graf(Alvin Ailey), Antonio Douthit- Boyd(Alvin Ailey), Kirven Douthit- Boyd (Alvin Ailey), Leonard Cruz(Bill T. Jones Arnie Zane), Jimena Paz(Stephen Petronio Company), Jessica Taylor(DamageDance), and Alana Marie Urda(Amalgamate Dance Company). She has performed in The Wiz and The Black Nativity at The Black Rep. She has also performed in AIDA and High School Musical at The Muny. Ashreale has also had the wonderful opportunity to study and perform in Italy. She is a teaching artist with Springboard and COCA. She has professionally danced with Beyond Measure Dance Theater, under the direction of Alicia Sunshine Gbaho. She is currently dancing with Consuming Kinetics Dance Company, under the Executive and Artistic direction of Arica Brown.

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This is Interventionist, Mrs. Kathleen McManis’ first year at The Biome.

Mrs. McManis is a native St. Louisan. She earned her Bachelors degree from Saint Louis University, her Masters from Southwest Baptist University, and additional credits from Truman State University.

Mrs. McManis has spent most of her educational career as a Special Educator within the Saint Louis County Special School District. Most recently, she worked as a Learning Specialist at Grand Center Arts Academy, a charter school within Saint Louis City.

Mrs. McManis’ passion and energy for working with students at the elementary grade level makes her a good fit for Biome learners. She brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to interventions in both behavior and academic areas.

When she is not at school, Mrs. McManis enjoys spending time with her husband, four sons and five (soon to be six) grandchildren.

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Trent is new to The Biome School staff and will be serving as a year long AmeriCorps member. He is originally from Marion, Illinois and moved to Saint Louis attend Maryville University and play Tennis.  After, learning more about Elementary Education he fell in love with education because of how much fun he has when he was teaching. This discovery ultimately led him to transfer and complete his degree at Webster University.

When he isn’t in the classroom, Trent loves playing and teaching tennis.  He also loves being outdoors and taking his dogs Karma and Buddha, both huskies, on hikes. In his spare time, he also enjoys volunteering at the Humane Society in the Education Department traveling to schools giving students presentations on how to be a responsible pet owner.

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Emily Schiltz is a Speech-Language Pathologist who is thrilled to be joining The Biome School.  Mrs. Schiltz ( or Emily) has extensive experience working with school-aged children.  She began her career with a focus on early intervention, working with the Missouri First Steps program, and several private preschools to serve children aged 1 through 7.   In 2009, Mrs. Schiltz (Emily) began focusing exclusively on school-aged students when she took a position with a local charter school, where she has served as a speech-language pathologist to students in Kindergarten through 8th Grade since that time.  She has also worked in private practice, and has specialized her skill set to focus on meeting the needs of students, families and teachers in the educational setting.  Mrs. Schiltz (Emily) believes that all students have the right to meet their educational potential, that all parents can be supported to help their children’s skills develop at home, and that all teachers can be supported to help students with speech and language needs excel in the classroom.   She is looking forward to serving the Biome community by providing private and group therapy, screenings and evaluations, consultation services, professional educational opportunities, and support and education for staff members. She obtained her Bachelor’s Degree from Truman State University and her Master’s Degree from Saint Louis University. She is a certified member of the “American Speech-Language-Hearing Association”, and she is licensed in the State of Missouri.

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Keonna Shelton is the Administrative Assistant and Family Coordinator at The Biome.  She has experience working with children of all ages.  She joined The Biome team in April of 2016. She is very passionate about helping children and their families in any way.  Keonna joins The Biome after working as a long-term substitute teacher at Saint Ann Catholic School.

Keonna holds a Bachelor’s of Liberal Arts Degree from The University of Missouri, Kansas City, with high hopes of pursuing a Master’s Degree in the near future.

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Ms. Tanisha Stanciel is a St. Louis transplant who earned her Bachelor of Science in Communication, Public Relations from Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, MO in 2006. She then completed a Master of Arts in Teaching Special Education-Emotional/Behavioral Disorders from Walden University in 2010. She recently completed her Master’s in Education Specialist for Administration from Lindenwood University in St. Charles, MO in August of 2014. Special Education and helping all students achieve is her passion!

Ms. Stanciel has an auto-immune disease called Alopecia Areata Totalis (Hairloss of the scalp). She is the oldest of eight siblings and a mother to a bright and smart eight year old little boy. When she is not blogging, she loves to listening to music, attending community events and most importantly LAUGHING!

She looks forward to being in the lives of children, helping them reach their educational goals for many years to come.

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Brittany Sullivan is so excited to be returning to The Biome team as a First Grade Classroom Leader. She has been a member of the Youth Learning Center Team since 2014; during her time at YLC, she has taught reading, math, creative writing, play lab, and robotics.

Brittany was born in a town just outside Chicago, Illinois where she spent most of her life poolside. She took her first swim lesson at the age six-months-old then 15 years later became the swim lesson teacher. She went on to develop and implement her own swim lesson program for children with special needs. Teaching swim lessons was the spark that lighted the passion for teaching and education.

That passion for education lead her moving to Saint Louis, where she attended Saint Louis University. She graduated from SLU with her Bachelors of Arts in Elementary Education and Special Education. She is looking forward to bringing her creativity and love of learning to the Adaptive Thinking classroom.

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Jean Turney has been teaching for the last 20 years across disciplines and grade levels from elementary through high school.   Jean holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication/Political Science, from Stephens College, Columbia, MO and a Masters degree in Adult Community Development from Regis University, Denver, Colorado. Jean’s teaching experience includes elementary teaching, assistant principal, youth ministry, learning consultant, education coordinator, adjunct professor and is currently the Education Coordinator for Forest Park Forever. Jean has many accomplishments and awards including grants for educational programs, engaged multiple community partners and providing exceptional learning experiences. She is on the Council for Environmental Education 2015, and received the following recognitions: the Missouri Art educators, Heart for Art Award in 2015; the Christa McAuliffe ‘Read for the Stars” award from the National Social Studies Association 2008; and was awarded the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Education, Missouri Humanities Council, 2010.

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Kristin Williams is a passionate and energetic teacher with 2 years experience implementing instructional strategies that actively engage students in meaningful learning experiences to ensure development of the learner’s fullest potential. Kristin has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and a Post-Baccalaureate degree with certification in Early Childhood Education (birth-3^rd grade) from Missouri Baptist University, St. Louis, MO. Kristin’s teaching experience includes early childhood assistant with the Parkway School District, and 2 years as a Lead Kindergarten teacher with KIPP Victory Academy. Some of Kristin’s many skills include curriculum development, classroom management, lesson planning and development and technology.

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Ms. Williams is a Second Grade Classroom Leader at The Biome School. Ms. Williams has over 17 years of experience in urban education. Ms. Williams began her educational career as an elementary teacher. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the Lincoln University, a master’s degree in Elementary Educational Administration and an Educational Specialist Degree in Mathematics Instructional Leadership from Lindenwood University.

Most recently, Ms. Williams has served as fifth and sixth grade team leader for three years at Lucas Crossing Elementary Complex in Normandy Schools Collaborative District, in which, each time the grade level made AYP. As team leader, Ms. Williams has had great opportunities to work collaboratively with administrators and teachers on the fifth grade team to ensure student success. She has assisted in the review of lesson plans, assisted teachers with the development of strategies to improve instruction, including classroom management techniques, and served as a resource person in remediating unacceptable areas as cited by the administrators on observation forms. Also, she has created and administered common assessments, analyze test results, and develop strategies for improving instruction. In addition to being an urban educator, Ms. Williams has been an adjunct professor in the Early Education Department at Forest Park Community College.

Ms. Williams is very passionate about helping children develop proficient reading skills that will contribute to their academic growth. Ms. Williams wants all children to become better readers and lifelong learners. Ms. Williams is excited and looking forward to increasing student achievement at The Biome School.

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