Stephenie Wasilewski grew up in Utah and has always had a passion for the outdoors and animals. She worked in the family pet store from the time she was 12 and immediately fell in love with reptiles.

She moved to Florida in 2001 and worked with youth at the Miami Beach Community Health Center, volunteered for crocodile surveys, and worked at Jungle Island for seven years – eventually supervising Joe Wasilewski’s reptile show in the Serpentarium. This is where she met the love of her life, Nick Wasilewski. In 2006 they married and the family was stationed at a Coast Guard base in San Francisco, Ca.

Over the next six years Stephenie finished her B.S. in Biology, became a science teacher, started working on entering data for REDD+ projects in Africa, fundraising for endangered species, and enjoyed herping throughout the western states with her family.

In 2012 the Wasilewski family returned to South Florida. Stephenie worked as a Zoo Keeper at Zoo Miami for two years before returning to teaching. She currently teaches high school Biology and Environmental Science in Miami Dade County and continues to be actively involved in fundraising, data entry, and fieldwork for a variety of species.

Stephenie and Nick will be celebrating their 10th anniversary this year with their two kids, Claire and Joey, who share their passion for animals, conservation, and education.

E: wasilewskiscience@gmail.com