Hooper Institute Staff
Greta Drager
Executive Director
Greta (she/her), grew up outside of Cleveland, Ohio and has since spent time teaching and learning around the country. She has a BS in Middle Childhood Education: Math and Science, and Intervention Specialist: Mild to Moderate. After undergrad, she spent time teaching as a middle school science teacher in Northern Utah, with an emphasis on hands-on, experiential learning, cooking and sustainability. She moved to the northeast to study at Antioch University for her MS in Environmental Education. Greta fell in love with New Hampshire and is now settled down in Bennington, NH with her partner, Mike and dog, Echo. When not at work, she enjoys exploring the outdoors through hiking, rock climbing, skiing, swimming, and gardening.
Greta teaches in Kindergarten, 5th and 6th grades in the Walpole schools and is looking forward to growing the community programs at the Hooper Institute. She is always open to hearing feedback from the community as to what programs they would like to see. Feel free to get in touch if you have a suggestion!
Executive Director
Greta (she/her), grew up outside of Cleveland, Ohio and has since spent time teaching and learning around the country. She has a BS in Middle Childhood Education: Math and Science, and Intervention Specialist: Mild to Moderate. After undergrad, she spent time teaching as a middle school science teacher in Northern Utah, with an emphasis on hands-on, experiential learning, cooking and sustainability. She moved to the northeast to study at Antioch University for her MS in Environmental Education. Greta fell in love with New Hampshire and is now settled down in Bennington, NH with her partner, Mike and dog, Echo. When not at work, she enjoys exploring the outdoors through hiking, rock climbing, skiing, swimming, and gardening.
Greta teaches in Kindergarten, 5th and 6th grades in the Walpole schools and is looking forward to growing the community programs at the Hooper Institute. She is always open to hearing feedback from the community as to what programs they would like to see. Feel free to get in touch if you have a suggestion!
George Gowdy
Educator
Hello, my name is George Gowdy, the new educator at the Hooper Institute. I grew up in Walpole at Brookfield Farm working with cattle and sheep. The Hooper Institute has been essential in my education since elementary school, through high school in the summer work programs, and was supported in my undergraduate studies with the Hooper Scholarship Committee. In the Spring of 2025 I finished my master’s degree in leadership at St. Lawrence University. At St. Lawrence I also earned my bachelor’s degrees in political science and environmental studies. My main interests that parallel the Hooper Institute are dairy science, organic agronomy, and grazing management. These were fostered with hands-on learning here in Walpole.
This fall I will be in the classrooms teaching Pre-K, 1st , 2nd , 3rd , 4th , and 7th grades. A main goal of mine is fulfilling our commitment towards greater community outreach aligning with our study areas. By bringing students and community members to our area farms and forests we build relationships with the people and land around us. In turn, community engagement fosters a greater sense of place, making Walpole home by encouraging folks to protect its character and history. We are fortunate to have so much nature to explore. And our remaining farms offer the opportunity to learn how our food is grown and raised.
Educator
Hello, my name is George Gowdy, the new educator at the Hooper Institute. I grew up in Walpole at Brookfield Farm working with cattle and sheep. The Hooper Institute has been essential in my education since elementary school, through high school in the summer work programs, and was supported in my undergraduate studies with the Hooper Scholarship Committee. In the Spring of 2025 I finished my master’s degree in leadership at St. Lawrence University. At St. Lawrence I also earned my bachelor’s degrees in political science and environmental studies. My main interests that parallel the Hooper Institute are dairy science, organic agronomy, and grazing management. These were fostered with hands-on learning here in Walpole.
This fall I will be in the classrooms teaching Pre-K, 1st , 2nd , 3rd , 4th , and 7th grades. A main goal of mine is fulfilling our commitment towards greater community outreach aligning with our study areas. By bringing students and community members to our area farms and forests we build relationships with the people and land around us. In turn, community engagement fosters a greater sense of place, making Walpole home by encouraging folks to protect its character and history. We are fortunate to have so much nature to explore. And our remaining farms offer the opportunity to learn how our food is grown and raised.
