Summer Staff 2017

Meet MSU Tollgate’s 2018 Summer Staff!

 Ellen Koehler- Education Coordinator/Camp Administrative Director      

I have been sharing a love of the outdoors with youth in formal and informal settings for over 30 years. This summer, I will be serving again as Summer Camp Admin Director. I thoroughly enjoy my role as Tollgate’s Education Coordinator and love playing a role in campers’ discovery-based learning. I recently completed a MicroMasters in Leading Educational Innovation and Improvement and have degrees in Horticulture and Landscape Design. A Master Gardener, I’ve assisted with the Junior Master Gardener Program for many years, and have served as 4H leader of science, drama, geography, and wilderness clubs. My passions include gardening, reading, music, wilderness sports, and, most of all, spending time with my children and grandchildren.


Nicole Blanzy- Camp Program Director

Hi! I’m Ms. Nicole. I’m looking forward to spending my fourth summer at Tollgate Farm Camp and seeing all of my friends, old and new. I am a graduate of MSU with a degree in Environmental Studies and Sustainability. I’m enthusiastic about the outdoors, animals, gardening, cooking, and eating. Tollgate Farm is a second home to me and I cannot wait to share all of its wonder with our campers.


Kelsie Donaldson- Communications Coordinator

Hello! I’m Kelsie Donaldson, and I’m super excited to be serving as the communications coordinator this summer at Tollgate! I will be running around camp all summer taking pictures and then posting them to the blog, where I will also write stories about all of our campers’ wonderful adventures. I am about to be a senior at Michigan State University, where I study professional writing. When I am not at camp, you can find me doing yoga, reading, or hanging out with my cats. I’m looking forward to a fun-filled summer!


Madeline Andrews- Educational Leader

Hi, everyone! My name is Madeline Andrews and this will be my 3rd summer as an Educational Leader at Tollgate! I have just graduated from Michigan State University, where I earned my degree Elementary Education. In the fall, I will be student teaching in the Walled Lake School District in a Kindergarten classroom! In my free time, I love to be outside at my cottage, draw, and walk my dog. I am looking forward to another fabulous summer at camp! Go Green!


 Alyssa Zaharia- Educational Leader

Hello, my name is Alyssa. I am a recent MSU graduate, and I am starting my master’s degree program in speech-language pathology at The University of Toledo, next fall. I enjoy yoga, cooking, painting, and working with kids. During my free time, I am a reading and writing tutor, and I also work with adults who have disabilities teaching them practical independent living skills. I am very excited to be an educational leader this summer and I can’t wait to meet all of the campers!


Tanya Tiemeyer- Educational Leader

Hi! My name is Tanya and I will be an Educational Leader at Tollgate this summer! You will also see me taking photos and writing the blog for horse camp! During the school year, I am a speech therapist for Detroit Public Schools. I get to live and work in my community. I love spending my time gardening, reading, and traveling. I am excited for another great summer at Tollgate!


Izzy Marcelletti- Intern

Hi! Hey guys! My name is Izzy Marcelletti and this is my first summer at Tollgate! I am a senior at MSU and I study Social Relations and Policy. When I’m not buzzing around Tollgate with the edu-staff, I love to figure skate, take my dogs on long walks, and journal. I am super excited to be a part of summer camp this year and to meet our campers. GO GREEN!!


Julian Sanders- Educational Leader

Hey guys! My name is Julian Sanders. This will be my third summer at Tollgate, and I could not be more excited to be back! I am a recent graduate of Michigan State University and will be student teaching Chemistry at Holt High School next year. When I’m not teaching, I’m usually spending time outdoors. I am an avid fisherman, hiker, and camper. I’m also a life-long fencer. I can’t wait to make this summer the best one yet!


Claire Dion- Educational Leader

Hello! I‘m Claire Dion and this is my first year as an Educational Leader at Tollgate! I have grown up attending different camps every summer and remember loving every minute of it. I am a junior at Michigan State University studying Environmental Sustainability. I love horseback riding, especially dressage, and am the president of the MSU Dressage Club. During summer I love to go hiking, practice yoga, read, and tend to my vegetable garden. I cannot wait to make so many fun memories at camp!


Delaney Pantalone- Educational Leader

Hi! My name is Delaney Pantalone and this is my first year as an Educational Leader at Tollgate. I grew up in 4-H and am excited to lead campers at a 4-H camp! I am going into my senior year at Michigan State University where I’m studying Sustainability with a minor in Agribusiness Management. When I’m not at Tollgate, you can find me at Bowers Farm in Bloomfield Hills or the Oakland County Fair in July! I’m looking forward to summer camp and can’t wait to meet so many new faces! Go Green!


Leah Fabian- Garden Kitchen Leader

My name is Leah Fabian and this is my first summer with Tollgate Farm and my first summer camp ever. I am super excited to meet all the kids! I am currently a student at Michigan State University studying Environmental Biology and Plant Biology with a minor in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems. I’m passionate about food and helping people adapt a clean, sustainable diet and lifestyle. I hope to one day have an organic farm and a farm-to-table restaurant or café. In my free time, I enjoy kayaking, yoga, farmer’s market adventures, reading, gardening, knitting, baking, discovering new music, and hiking. I can’t wait to get to know my fellow staff and assist in positive human development!