Meet the WDC Team
Rob Carmichael, Curator/Co-Founder of the Wildlife Discovery Center
Rob Carmichael, co-founder and curator of the Wildlife Discovery Center since 1996, brings a wealth of expertise in environmental education and biology to his role. With a B.A. in Education, a minor in Biology, and an M.S. in Environmental Biology, Rob has dedicated his career to sharing his passion for wildlife and conservation.
His academic contributions include serving as adjunct faculty at the College of Lake County (2005-2021) and as a lecturer at Lake Forest College (2017-2022).
Rob's influence extends beyond the classroom; he has been a Field Consultant and Assistant Producer for National Geographic and the Smithsonian Channel since 2010. A respected voice in herpetology, Rob has authored chapters in "The Biology of the Rattlesnake" and "Venomous Reptiles and Their Toxins: Evolution, Pathophysiology, and Biodiscovery," and has presented at prestigious symposiums in the field.
Toni Carmichael, Curriculum Director of the Wildlife Discovery Center
Dr. Toni Carmichael has been shaping the educational vision of the Wildlife Discovery Center as its Curriculum Director since 1996. Her impressive academic credentials include an EdD in Curriculum, Advocacy, and Policy, complemented by an MEd in Curriculum and Instruction, and a BA in Education with a Minor in Spanish. A respected voice in curriculum studies, Dr. Carmichael has been a regular presenter at the American Association for the Advancement of Curriculum Studies conferences since 2020 and National Louis University symposiums since 2019. Her leadership within the AAACS spans multiple roles, including Program Chair and Executive Interim Secretary. Dr. Carmichael's expertise has been sought after in higher education circles, leading to guest lectures at George Washington University. Her literary contributions are noteworthy, including authoring a chapter on "Creating a Thriving Prairie" in Randi Stone's "More Best Practices for Middle School Classrooms: What Award-winning Teachers Do." With over two decades of classroom experience, Dr. Carmichael has excelled in various teaching roles, from Middle School Science to Dual Language instruction and 5th-grade education.
Board Members
Rob Carmichael, Curator/Presenter
Toni Carmichael, President, Curriculum Director
Carolina Moll, Vice President
Sam Moll, Treasurer
Ofelia Carmichael, Secretary
Sydney Olojo, Editor/Grants
