Mark began facilitating experiential based programs in the late 1980s. In 1991, he began volunteering with ITI. He accepted the position of ITI Program Director in September of 2000. Prior to joining ITI full time, he served as Practice Administrator and as Director of Substance Abuse Services for a private psychology practice in northern Indiana. Additional past positions include: neuropsychological psychometric technician, psychologist's assistant, substitute teacher, high school marching band drill designer/instructor, and
K-mart associate in charge of Blue Light Special announcements.
He has served on dozens of advisory boards and several Board of Directors, including the National Association of Teen Institutes. Mark is a long time advocate of using experiential learning methods to equip leaders and build teams.
Julianne M. Stewart
Lead Facilitator
Julianne has been facilitating experiential learning programs since 1994. She graduated from the University of Indianapolis in December of 2000
and the next day began working as a lead
facilitator for ITI. Julianne has had a number of unique leadership opportunities. They include
an internship with the Indiana State Senate
Allison has been involved with the Indiana Teen Institute program since 1996, when she attended camp as a participant from Michigan City High School. Allison has come back as an ITI facilitator every year since and has served in a number of capacities within the program, including roles as a contractual facilitator, member of the advisory team, performing arts team, and a workshop presenter.
Hailing from the nether regions of Maine, Mike first became involved with ITI in 1997, as a sophomore in high school. Since then he has worked as a facilitator and trainer in a variety of settings from the classroom, to the challenge course, to the backcountry.
Mike has a strong passion for self discovery through challenging outdoor pursuits. Since graduating from the University of Maine in 2003 with a Bachelor's in Sociology he has worked primarily as a whitewater and sea kayak guide, a backcountry ski instructor, and high school nordic ski coach. With plans to further his education, Mike's biggest dream is to start his own alternative high school nestled in the natural landscape of Maine.
Allison graduated from Indiana University in Indianapolis in May of 2003 with a B.A. in Sociology and a minor in Women’s Studies. She then spent a year working in Traverse City, MI (i.e., the Cherry Capital of the World!) as a foster care specialist for Child and Family Services of Northwestern Michigan. Allison was able to work on her facilitation skills in this setting by leading groups that included adolescent females in foster care and youth transitioning out of the foster care system.
Allison is presently attending graduate school in Portland, Oregon to complete a Master Degree in Social Work. She continues to be an avid “Golden Girls” viewer and consumer of poetry. Additionally she enjoys being taunted by Brian S. for not possessing the latest ITI gear.
Mark has presented workshops and led trainings throughout Indiana and beyond. Topics have included stress management, creativity, temperament, teamwork, and community building.
In 1999, he was a featured panelist
for The American Family: A Challenged
Tradition, produced by the University of
Notre Dame Alumni Association and
broadcast on the Odyssey Channel.
Mark R. Kaser
ITI Program Director, Lead Facilitator
Most days you'll find Lieutenant Copple serving the Greensburg, Indiana community. He is currently the School Resource Officer for Greensburg Community Schools and has been working actively with the school corporation for the past 10 years. He has even been a past sponsor of the high school's SADD program.
Although he love's facilitating and is committed to assisting ITI Adventure whenever his schedule allows, Bruce's first priority is his wife Paula and his son, Benjamin.
Bruce is our team's constant reminder that it is never too late to unleash your inner-facilitator!
Bruce began his involvement with ITI as an adult participant with the Greensburg High School Team. Soon thereafter he was recruited to join the ITI facilitation team and has remained involved as a facilitator since 1999.
ITI Adventure Lead Facilitators
Website designed and maintained by Mark R. Kaser Copyright 2002-10 ITI Adventure-Indiana Teen Institute All Rights Reserved
Julie Coon
ITI Leadership Camp Administration Team
ITI Adventure Associate Facilitators
Currently, Justin is a student-athlete at Indianapolis University - Purdue University of Indianapolis (verifiably one of the longest university names), where he is obtaining degrees in psychology and philosophy, and competing on the school's division I cross country team.
Justin enjoyed his participant year at ITI in the summer of 2001 and began working as a member of the facilitation team the following summer. He has remained involved with the program ever since.
Justin was formally involved in Whiteland High School's Peer Helper program. He organized and participated in many advocacy campaigns, school functions, and volunteered as a mentor for local elementary school students. He was also involved in many leadership experiences including serving as a volunteer board member to the American Red Cross of Johnson County, and a 2002 Hoosier Boy's State attendee.
In addition to her
experiences as a
facilitator and presenter,
she is an accomplished
vocalist. Julianne has
performed for audiences
throughout the United States.
She looks forward to continuing to use her 15 years of facilitation experience to influence youth and adults to be positive and productive members of their schools and communities.
Julie resides in Ingalls, Indiana with
her husband, Ryan, and sons, Alex
and Parker. Julie's first experience
with ITI was in 1993 as a high
school participant. She returned
as a youth facilitator in 1994
and has since continued to
remain actively involved in the
program. In 1996, She served as
an Indiana delegate to the
National Association of Teen
Institutes (NATI) conference in Atlanta, Georgia.
After graduating from Wapahani High
School in1996, Julie traveled west to Purdue
University where she studied Health Promotion.
In 2001, she moved to South Carolina with her
husband where she worked as a Preschool
Teaching assistant and discovered her
love of southern culture.
Julie returned to Indiana in 2004 and took on her most challenging role: mother.
Whether she is singing or facilitating Julianne hopes individuals and groups are motivated to develop their full potential.
and her experiences
presenting her
youth advocacy
platform as Miss Indiana, 1998.
For now Mike continues to travel wherever rivers and slopes will take him, from Central America, to the Smoky Mountains, and most recently the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. Look for his pics posted on the ITI Photo Album, as he totes the ITI Chicken along everywhere he goes . . .
"A ship is safe in the harbor, but that's not what ships are built for."
More detailed bio on its way. In the meantime, say hello to TC.
Brian discovered ITI in 1987 as a high school participant at the Indiana Teen Institute summer conference. After four years serving as a member of the ITI youth staff, Brian has continued his involvement as an "adult" facilitator. He has served as a workshop presenter, Summer Conference Facilitator Coordinator, Advisory Team Chairperson and has traveled with ITI Adventure throughout Indiana and Michigan as a facilitator for youth, college and adult participants.
Brian is more commonly known as "Mr. Sappenfield." He is the principal of IPS 107 in Indianapolis. Brian received his teaching certification from Indiana University and his master degree in Educational Administration from Butler University.
Brian plans to continue his work with ITI for as long as he can. He currently holds the record for longest running facilitator with the program. He is approaching his 20th anniversary with ITI!
After graduating from IUPUI he plans to obtain (at least) his master's degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, and would like to continue working in a facilitative role on both the youth and corporate levels.
In his spare time, Justin enjoys (and admits of his own freewill) spending time with his family, mowing the lawn, and feeling the adrenaline rush from roller-coasters and other thrill rides.