Staff

Meet the staff of The Outdoor Education Center at Camp Olympia!

 

Our former HISD certified teachers provide exceptional hands-on, outdoor educational programming for schools and districts throughout the area. Our experienced staff will facilitate authentic interactions with the natural ecosystems and will work with your school to create a program tailored to your specific needs and grade level.

Brian McDaniel

Headshot of Brian McDaniel of the Outdoor Education Center at Camp Olympia.Brian attended Houston Baptist University where he played collegiate soccer and graduate cum laude, and he went on to receive a graduate degree in educational leadership from Stephen F. Austin State University. He is a certified teacher that taught in Houston ISD for six years; both as a science lab teacher at Robinson Elementary and a lead teacher at the HISD Outdoor Education Center.

Brian has been involved in the field of outdoor education for eight years. He is a Texas Certified Environmental Educator and is currently the Vice President of the Texas Association for Environmental Education (TAEE). Brian has been a part of the Outdoor Education Center at Camp Olympia since its inception. He loves facilitating meaningful learning experiences with students in nature and spends his free time riding his Harley, reading, meditating, and enjoying friends and family.

Jordan Jefferys

Headshot of Jordan Jefferys of the Outdoor Education Center at Camp Olympia. Jordan Jefferys is an alumna of Stephen F. Austin State University, where she received her undergrad and graduate degrees in Finance and Business. She was involved in many different organizations, but found her passion for teaching while tutoring at the Academic Assistance Resource Center. Here, she honed her skills and realized that she could make an impact in the education field.

Jordan has been part of Camp Olympia family for the majority of her life, including time spent as a camper, counselor, and member of the full-time staff. In the Summer of 2022, Jordan joined the Outdoor Education Center where she made an immediate impact organizing schedules, building relationships with schools, handling finances, leading classes, and training staff members. Jordan hopes to use her skills to continue growing the program to give more students the opportunity to have life-changing experiences.

Outside of work, Jordan serves as a Board Member for the Mr. & Mrs. Nelson Rusche Foundation and a Trustee of the SFASU Foundation. During her free time, Jordan loves anything water related and spending time with her dog, Casper.