
Christopher M. Amidon
Chris wants to empower kids of all ages to learn in their own way—have adventures, solve mysteries, and follow projects that capture their imagination. Kaleidoscope is an opportunity to encourage these nontraditional learning opportunities through financial backing, resource sharing, and family support. Chris works as a park ranger for Isle Royale National Park.

Art Pontynen
Art Pontynen is Professor Emeritus from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. After having vacationed for thirty-five years in the Keweenaw, he and his wife Alison (a retired teacher and IRKPA employee) now live happily in Copper Country. No longer facing professional necessities in life (books are written, our three children raised), we are now committed to contributing to the community that we have come to cherish. Given our educational backgrounds, it is appropriate to do so within an educational context. It is a pleasure to be part of Kaleidoscope.

Christy Wilson
Christy teaches Art and Tinker Lab at Kaleidoscope L’Anse. She has worked with kids all of her life! When she was 20, she starting working with Youth Programs in the Air Force. She worked in the Youth Programs for over 15 years, working with children ages between 5 and 18. She has 3 children and has been married for over 20 years.
Christy has wanted to teach and work with kids since she was a kid herself! Christy has been going to college on and off for years and hopes to soon finish her degree. Until then, she’ll stay creative and have fun teaching kids for as long as she’s allowed!

Emma Dorst
Emma is new to the Keweenaw, having relocated to Houghton from Washington, DC in the summer of 2020. She serves as the Director of Career Services at Finlandia University and believes wholeheartedly in the value of co-curricular education and programming for students of all ages. Emma has worked in the nonprofit sector for several years, primarily in the fields of refugee resettlement and international policy.

Tim Reitz

Erin Barnett

Victoria Walters
Victoria has a middle school age daughter who is taking elective courses for UPVA through Kaleidoscope. She works remotely for the Merative (used to be IBM Watson Health) and is an Adjunct Instructor at MTU for Cybersecurity. She and her family moved here in December 2019 (the Friday before Christmas) because her spouse was hired by Tech full time. They are still meeting their neighbors due to the pandemic effect. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Cybersecurity from MTU where her focus is on Cybersecurity Policy and Law. Outside of that, she has six kids and two very large dogs. Her family is active in the music community and is looking forward to spending more time on the water once they are done refinishing their little sailboat.