Future Herpetologist Revisited

Working with the younger generation inspires us when we witness young people who strive to fulfill their interests and ambitions. In past blogs, we mentioned one such young man with a passion for snakes. Gabe Brown continues to present snake programs to students of his former teachers and continues to impress these teachers with his knowledge and skill in presenting his subject. In turn, we find it rewarding to have been somewhat instrumental in getting him started after meeting him during our reptile presentation at the National Elk Refuge in Jackson, Wyoming, a couple years ago. And since we are kept informed of his progress, we feel the pride that teachers must feel as their students blossom and succeed.

“For two years,” says Gabe’s former kindergarten teacher, Gretchen Kohler at Festus Elementary School in Festus, Missouri, “Gabe has come to my kindergarten classroom to give a presentation on snakes. What a joy it is to see my former kindergarten student in this role! Gabe provides an articulate, informative, kid-friendly talk. He always presents interesting facts, provides question/answer opportunities, and, best of all, real life examples of snakes! This is such an amazing opportunity for my kindergarteners.”

Getting Started

“We couldn’t be prouder of Gabe and his desire to initiate a program where he shares his love of reptiles and animals and nature with people,” Gabe’s mother, Jaime Brown, tells us. “After our meeting with you in Wyoming a couple years ago, he walked away saying ‘How do they do that?’” referring to our reptile program.

Because Gabe was timid about getting started with presentations, his parents helped him think it through by having him answer some questions such as What’s my goal, who’s my audience, are my animals enough? “We tried to get him to answer his own questions for himself,” says Jaime, “so it would make him more confident and be more rewarding.”

Jaime admits she is not a reptile person. “There wouldn’t be any snakes living in this house if it wasn’t for his dad,” she says. Gabe and his father hunt for snakes together, but Gabe is ultimately responsible for their care as well as financially responsible for all of their food and habitats. “He’s learned to pick stuff up at yard sales like tanks, water dishes, etc.,” says Jaime. “If he has a smaller class or group he’ll even go to the Dollar Tree and buy plastic snakes to hand out to kids at the end. He thinks it makes more of an impact for the littler kids to get a treat.”

More Presentations

Although Ms. Kohler was the first teacher to allow Gabe to present to a classroom of students, word spread of his presentation and soon the kindergarten teacher next door requested his program, followed by Gabe’s former fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Eskridge.

“The students loved seeing the reptiles and were fascinated with his knowledge about them,” says Mrs. Eskridge. “I’m always full of pride when I see Gabe do a presentation. His maturity and patience with the students is amazing.”

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Mrs. Eskridge was then instrumental in recruiting Gabe for summer school presentations where one of the participants told his mother about Gabe’s program, leading to that mother inviting Gabe to present to that child’s Boy Scout troop. “Then someone told his middle school librarian about your website when he was in 7th grade,”  Jaime told us, “and the librarian printed the articles [about Gabe] and hung them up. Everyone from the principals, educators, librarians and secretaries have been great.”

Principal’s Tribute

“I am so proud of Gabe and the steps he is taking to prepare for his future profession,” says Gabe’s former middle school principal, Tina Thebeau at Festus Middle School. “We teach students the skills they need to be successful, but rarely do they have the opportunity to apply those skills so early in their educational career. These presentations allow Gabe to hone his communication skills and practice public speaking while sharing his passion for working with wildlife and educating others.”

And, according to kindergarten teacher Gretchen Kohler, “Gabe is always a crowd pleaser!”

Gabe has recently entered high school and plans to continue his reptile presentations. Our future depends on young people like Gabe. We wish him our very best!