Sydney is a lifelong learner and educator who believes deeply in hands-on instruction. Growing up, she was an active member of the Gregori Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter, where she attended many leadership conferences, raised swine for the Stanislaus County Fair, and developed a love for agriculture and education. She received her B.S. in International Agriculture and Rural Development and a minor in education for Cornell. After college, she joined the Peace Corps and served as an education volunteer in the Southwest region of Rwanda. At the end of her service she was inspired to fuse her two loves of agriculture and education by earning a teaching credential and Master’s degree in agriculture education at UC Davis.

Sydney taught high school floral design and chemistry before finding her joy teaching outdoors through the CLBL SLEWS Program. When not working, Sydney enjoys reading, hiking with her husband, Mike, walking their dog, Mokha, and traveling to new places.