Meet our Staff

Director

Gina Root

I am a lover of all things nature and have been sharing my passion for the natural world with children for more than 20 years. I love to sing, be goofy, and dress up as animals! I am so excited about what we have created here with ROCS!

I am passionate about giving children time to be in nature and connecting with the forces and rhythms that move us. My goals are to spend as much time as possible outside with our future generations and to help the ROCS program and nature center grow into a full-fledged learning center and school!

afternoon Lead Teacher/Archery instructor

Tausha AuBuchon

Hello! I grew up in rural Missouri and I truly enjoy living in the Ozarks. We are surrounded by some of the most beautiful areas nature has to offer and my family and I love exploring it. We go hiking, fossil hunting, horseback riding, camping, and recently picked up kayaking.

My goal at outdoor school is to fan the flame of curiosity in our kids. I want them to ask questions and push for good, solid, evidence-based answers. I want them to be empowered to say, “I don’t know”, but I have the resources and knowledge to find out. I want to inspire them to be enthusiastic, life-long learners. I’m excited to be on this journey with ROCS and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for this program.

Morning Lead Teacher/Archery instructor

Emily Forstrom

I was born in Montana and that’s where my love for nature and travel started. Some of my favorite things to do with my family are traveling to national parks, camping, hiking, and canoeing. I have been teaching for over 5 years. In this beautiful outdoor setting I am able share my passion for nature while providing the opportunity to empower students with important life skills. As an educator, my aim is to inspire curiosity and encourage students to become active participants in their learning. By immersing children in this outdoor setting, it encourages them to observe, question, and discover the intricacies of the world around them. ROCS creates an environment where students can do just that and I am excited to be a part of their journey.

Morning Teacher

Sabrina Davis

My family and I moved back to Rolla Missouri in 2021. Born and raised here, I adore the area and the community. I enjoy spending time outdoors and I’ve always been fascinated by weather. Some of my favorite activities include hiking, biking & exploring the river on our boat. The atmosphere of ROCS stole my heart. I am thrilled to be a part of a beautiful support system that allows children to thrive in nature. Engaging with children and encouraging their curiosity is a passion of mine. I’m a creative, a dreamer, and a researcher. I look forward to channeling my creativity and sharing time and space with the most curious beings on the planet, children. ROCS is an incredible gift to this community and I’m honored to be a part of it.

Archery Instructor/ Nature Center Caretaker

Brian Davidson

I am a lifelong resident of Missouri with a deep appreciation for the natural resources of the Ozarks. I retired in 2025 from the USDA Forest Service after 35 years of dedicated service. My early career focused on natural resource management primarily in Arizona and New Mexico. For the past fifteen years, I have served as the program manager for the botany and invasive species program at the Mark Twain National Forest in Rolla. My family and I value Missouri's rich natural diversity, and as retirees, we are committed to fostering an appreciation for nature among future generations.

afternoon Teacher

Theresa Davidson

Passing on my love for our environment and conservation education is part of who I am. I just retired from 35 years of federal service with the US Forest Service and US Fish and Wildlife Service as a Fish and/or Wildlife Biologist. Outdoor education was always a collateral duty throughout my career.

I love seeing the wonder in children's eyes when they discover something new in the world around them. I like sharing ways to document their learning - through art, journaling, or just observation - looking for the big and small things that make up our environment. I am already enjoying my time with ROCS and hearing the stories the children talk about, their observations, their favorite flowers or animals, and their future dreams.

Morning Teacher

Crystal Mischke

I was born in Michigan, but Missouri has always been home to me. I love spending time with my family and working with children. I have had the privilege of homeschooling my children for many years. My family and I enjoy being outside, spending time at the river, and taking trips to state and national parks and historic sites. I have worked in the public school system for 15 years and I believe children learn best through hands-on activities and active involvement in their own learning. I am excited to be part of ROCS and encourage children to explore the world around them.

Administrative Assistant

Lara Burns

My family moved to Rolla back in 2016. I grew up in NE Ohio but discovered my love for wild places while living in New Mexico as an adult. We love to travel and explore the Ozarks and all it has to offer with our 2 daughters by hiking, camping, and we recently bought our first kayak so we can take more river trips! I am excited to be a part of the ROCS community and help children in our area spend more time in the great outdoors!

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