Tayshaun Amare Cheek
Leland
Summary
Dedicated and passionate Catawba College allumni with a rich background as a military child, fostering adaptability and resilience through diverse experiences. Known for a hands-on approach and a commitment to supporting others, complemented by strong communication, organizational, and public speaking skills. A deep love for the Earth drives a strong belief in the responsibility to preserve its resources and protect its inhabitants. Actively seeking a career in environmental education or wildlife/marine ecology to provide professional care for wild animals, promote environmental conservation, and inspire future generations to safeguard our planet.
Overview
3
3
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Water Treatment Plant Operator
Brunswick County Public Utilities
12.2025 - 03.2026
- Operated and monitored water treatment equipment to ensure compliance with safety regulations.
- Conducted routine water quality tests to maintain optimal treatment processes.
- Assisted in troubleshooting equipment malfunctions to minimize downtime.
- Maintained accurate logs of daily operations and maintenance activities.
Outdoor education intern
Muddy Sneakers
02.2025 - 05.2025
- Assist with outdoor education programs for 5th-grade students
- Helped set up and break down gear for field expeditions
- Support instructors in teaching science curriculum through hands-on activities.
- Take photos or videos to document field days.
- Lead or co-lead small group activities like nature hikes or data collection.
- Make sure safety protocols and Leave No Trace principles are followed.
- Help identify plants, animals, or signs of wildlife on trails.
Park Attendant
Forsyth County Parks And Recreation
05.2024 - 09.2024
- Stayed organized and aware of schedules to execute successfully booked events.
- Watched areas to anticipate problems and intervened to prevent accidents.
- Patrolled gaming area to respond to guest needs and correct problems.
- Conducted sales and recommended products to meet guest needs.
- Monitored guests and enforced rules, maintaining safety for visitors and staff.
Environmental summit
Catawba College
07.2023 - 07.2023
- Leading Focus Groups
- Helping with Environmental Education Activities/Assisting with hands-on lessons and outdoor learning sessions.
- Planning and Supervising Games/Outdoor Events and organizing team-building exercises, hikes, or eco-challenges.
- Supporting Student Participants and guiding students ages 14–17 who live on campus for the week.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Environmental Science
Catawba College
Salisbury, NC05-2025
High School Diploma -
E.E Smith High School
Fayetteville, NC05-2021
Skills
- Communication
- Child Supervision
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Conversational Readiness
- Safety Guidelines
- Proactive and self-motivated
- Organization
- Activity Planning
- Exceptional organisational skills
- Public Speaking
Certification
- Project Learning tree Certification
- NC Boater And Hunter Safety Certified
Interests
Exploring and learning about the outdoors, Outdoor activities like hiking and nature exploration, Fishing and spending time by bodies of water, Wildlife observation and photography, Environmental conservation efforts, Sports and staying active, especially basketball, Engaging in sustainability and ecology projects
COURSEWORK
- Intro to G.I.S
- Ecology & Evolution (Including Lab)
- Field Botany
- Wildlife Photography
- Water and Land: Conservation and Ecology
- Applied Sustainability
- Environmental Field and Skills Lab
- Conservation Biology
- Environmental Education and Communications
- Sustainability Science and Environmental Policy Air, Energy, Climate Change, and Development Natural
- Resource Ecology and Management
- Environmental justice and Advocacy
- Environmental Leadership seminar
- Climate Leadership in Organizations
- Experiential Learning in Environment and Sustainability
- Wildlife Ecology
Timeline
Water Treatment Plant Operator
Brunswick County Public Utilities
12.2025 - 03.2026
Outdoor education intern
Muddy Sneakers
02.2025 - 05.2025
Park Attendant
Forsyth County Parks And Recreation
05.2024 - 09.2024
Environmental summit
Catawba College
07.2023 - 07.2023
Bachelor of Science - Environmental Science
Catawba College
High School Diploma -
E.E Smith High School