Meet the Education Department Staff

Chris Kastle, Director of Education

Chris has been a professional touring musician, storyteller, songwriter, and educator for many years throughout the United States and in Canada, Europe, and New Zealand. As a solo artist, she has performed at festival, concert, and library venues and has been an artist-in-residence for many educational institutions. Chris holds a Graduate Degree in Environmental Planning, and has been an instructor for shipboard programs with the Inland Seas Education Association in Michigan and a Visiting Professor at Governors State University in Illinois. She is currently a member of the faculty at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago and the Executive Director of Common Times, an Illinois folk-arts organization that produces the "Chicago Maritime Festival" and the "Chinquapin Folk Music and Storytelling Festival". Chris is also a member the Tale Tellers of St. Augustine and Friends of Florida Folk.

Susan Graffweg, Educator

A native Floridian, Susan's love of history brought her to the Nation's Oldest City, where she joined the staff of the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum in 2007. She has been actively involved in living history events around the U.S. for more than 17 years, volunteering for State and National Park Service living history programs at the Castillo de San Marcos, Dade Battlefield Historic State Park, Fort Pulaski National Monument and Gettysburg National Military Park. Susan received an AAS degree in fashion design and history, where she honed her skills for meticulously researching the garments of various time periods - as well as recreating the normal, everyday lives of the people who wore them. Some of her favorite eras to portray are Elizabethan, Colonial, Victorian, and the American Civil War. Before moving to St. Augustine, Susan was a fencing instructor for elementary after-school programs throughout the Orlando area. She currently designs costumes for Theatre Saint Augustine stage productions, and remains an avid fencer. She is very excited to be a part of the Lighthouse's history – and future.

Wendy Thomson, Educator

Wendy holds a Bachelors of Science in Education and has been teaching for over 30 years. Her focus has been in recreation and nature/science for all different age groups. Born and raised on Long Island, she developed a love for the water and everything that goes with it. Up north, her time was devoted to raising her two sons, teaching, sailing, and volunteering. Between Garden Clubs, Junior League, being a sailing class director, and restoring the Huntington Bay lighthouse, she had the opportunity to sail competitively all over the United States. Since moving to St. Augustine, Wendy has involved herself in Turtle Patrol, Native Plant Society, A1A Scenic Hwy., Vilano Town Restoration, and SPARS (Sailors, Paddlers and Rowers). She started at the Lighthouse as a Docent in 2007, helped run the summer camp in 2009, and is now part of the Education Department.

Bob Belber, Historic Interpreter

Bob has been part of the education staff since 2005. He was born in New York City and grew up in South Jersey, Haddonfield and Ocean City, New Jersey. Bob attended Rutgers University and later earned a degree in accounting. He worked for most of his career as a management consultant, project manager, and director of operations. Bob belongs to the Florida Lighthouse Association, Fraternal Order of Police, and is a master gardener. He most enjoys interacting with Lighthouse guests-teaching them and learning from them.

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