Dr. Jay Woodward - Camp Director
Dr. Jay Woodward is excited to partner with YAP's paleontological program coordinator to put on a “dino”-mite 2012 summer adventure that all attendees are sure to “dig!” Jay serves as a faculty member in the Department of Educational Psychology teaching undergraduate courses in Educational Psychology, Adolescent Development, and Creativity and a graduate class in Educational Research & Measurement. Dr. Woodward has received numerous awards and recognitions for his efforts at Texas A&M University, including several teaching awards and the prestigious Association of Former Students Distinguished Achievement Award for "Extension, Outreach, Continuing Education, and Professional Development" for his work with the Youth Adventure Program.
Jay holds a B.A. in Psychology, a M.S. in Educational Psychology with an emphasis on educating gifted and talented students, and received his Ph.D. in Educational Psychology in 2004 in the area of Intelligence, Creativity, and Giftedness.
Bordering on fossil status himself, carbon dating research shows that Jay has been stomping around Texas A&M (both as a staff member and a student) for the past eighteen years! In his spare time, Jay enjoys traveling, following A&M athletics, playing with his beagles, trying to hit a golf ball, attending live entertainment (from the stage to the silver screen), watching all reality television, reading a good book, singing tenor in church choir, and (most importantly) taking care of his precious and precocious preschooler, who just celebrated her third birthday last December.
Janet Sandera- Program Coordinator
Jurassic Janet Sandera marks her YAP year number 8 in 2012! She served as a counselor in 2005 and 2006, worked as the Administrative Assistant from 2007-2009, and has transitioned into the Program Coordinator position since 2010. She will work alongside Dr. Jay to make a dino-mite program for 2012 !
Janet was born during the bighairstoric era (1986 A.D.) in San Antonio, Texas, where she was raised in a family of AlamoCitysauruses, a species known for their sense of humor and love of Mexican food. After graduating from Tom C. Clark High School in 2004, Janet migrated to College Station to become the proudest member of the Fightin' Texas Aggie Class of 2008. She graduated in May 2008 with a B.S. degree in Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences and again in December 2009 with a M.S. in the same field.
When she is not busy with YAP-related activities, Jurassic Janet enjoys spending time with family and friends and running around with her beloved basset hound, Miss Daisy. Like any dinosaur, she also enjoys playing outside, going to the beach to fish and attending concerts featuring her favorite Texas countrysaurus bands.
Laura Stafford - Dorm Parent
Laura Stafford will return as Dorm Parent for her eighth consecutive year after serving in this capacity for YAP 2004 - 2010. This is "Mom's" ninth full year with the camp after participating as a counselor for all four weeks of the 2003 session. She holds a B.S. degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Texas A&M and a M.S. in Educational Psychology. She has taught 2nd grade at Mary Branch Elementary in Bryan for fourteen years (lead teacher for past nine) and holds her certification in gifted and talented education.
From one classroom to another, Laura enjoys teaching the youth Sunday school class at West Oaks Baptist Church. In addition to all of these activities, she is married to Mike Stafford and has a 26-year old son, James, who graduated from SHSU in Huntsville. She also has a lovely princess puppy named Heifer, a rescue sheltie named Angel, and a new member of the family named Lil Bit.
TBD – Recreation Director