|
Contact: Dena Matteson, 573-323-8028
VAN BUREN, MO:Superintendent Larry Johnson has announced the selection of two new permanent District Interpreters at Ozark National Scenic Riverways. These employees will be responsible for supervising all visitor programs, planning special events, delivering educational and interpretive programs, and conducting community outreach in their respective districts. William "Josh" Chilton has been selected as the Jacks Fork District Interpreter and will manage all visitor programs at Alley Spring and along the Jacks Fork River.Josh is a long-time resident of Eminence and a graduate of Missouri State University with a B.S.Ed. in History. Josh has been employed as a special education teacher and as a high school history teacher at the Winona R-III School District for the past 10 years. He has worked as a seasonal interpretive ranger at Ozark National Scenic Riverways for 12 years, and has served as Lead Interpreter for several seasons.Josh holds a certification as a Certified Interpretive Guide through the National Association of Interpretation. He is the recipient of several awards from the National Park Service, including;Department of the Interior Award, Safety Award and STAR Award. Josh is a member of an early riverways pioneering family and has deep roots in the area. As an Ozarks local, Josh has a passion for the area and enjoys educating others on the history, culture and beauty of the Ozark Riverways. Josh and his wife Crystal, who is an educator at Eminence R-I School District, have resided in Shannon County most of their lives. Josh looks forward to fostering community relations and bringing quality educational opportunities to the Ozark National Scenic Riverways visitors and local population. Dave Tobey has been selected as the Upper Current River District Interpreter and will manage visitor programs at Round Spring and along the upper Current River.Dave spent a number of years teaching and coaching at the high school and college level, and possesses a Master's Degree in Education Administration. He spent five years teaching Outdoor Education at Westminster College and specializes in a variety of outdoor skills.Dave holds certifications as a Certified Interpretive Guide through the National Association of Interpretation and as a Canoe Instructor through the American Canoe Association. He spent several summers working as a seasonal interpretive ranger at Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Current River State Park, and Big Cypress National Preserve.Prior to accepting the position at Ozark Riverways, Dave was a permanent interpreter for the U.S. Forest Service. Dave moved to the Shannon County as a youngster and spent his youth exploring the hills and hollows of the area, developing a passion for the Ozarks. He is excited to return to the upper Current River to help create new opportunities for visitors to enjoy the natural and cultural history of the area.Dave is passionate about outdoor environmental education and as a lifelong educator, he is eager to work with local schools to develop curriculum-based experiences that will encourage students to enjoy the park as an outdoor classroom. Both employees are anticipated to begin their new assignments near the end of January.They will play a key role in helping Ozark National Scenic Riverways celebrate the Centennial of the National Park Service, through a series of special events and workshops throughout the year. Ozark National Scenic Riverways preserves the free-flowing Current and Jacks Fork Rivers, the surrounding resources, and the unique cultural heritage of the Ozark people. |
Last updated: January 14, 2016