Zac Wedemeyer is the main Taproot Leader.  A life-long student and admirer of nature, Zac taught elementary school in Iowa City for six years before launching Taproot.  He has also taught at the University of Iowa Wildlife Camps and School of the Wild, and at Centaur Stables Pony Camp. Zac loves exploring, prairie burning, hunting, fishing, gardening, and being dad to his two young daughters.

Elesa Wedemeyer grew up exploring the woods behind her house on the edge of Des Moines, and pursued a love of nature into adulthood.  Educated as a teacher with a Masters in Secondary English education, Elesa teaches at Kirkwood Community College.  She also teaches Pilates and Yoga and is a research assistant at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

Paula Boback owes her love for the outdoors to her family.  Growing up, she had many family vactions involving camping, fishing, and canoeing.  Starting as an elementary teacher, she has been in the field of education for nine years.  She completed an outdoor educator course through the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) in 2004 and earned a Masters in Science Education at the University of Iowa.  Paula enjoys playing tennis and hiking with her partner Katie and their son Parker.

Michele Thompson is well-known in Iowa City for her magic way with children.  She has extensive teaching experience from years of working at Pat's Learning Adventure and Willowwind School, Fiber Arts Camp, and caring for the children of several local families.

Kristin Bergman began her work teaching people to be safe and comfortable in nature as a swim instructor in her teens.  She simultaneously studied the craft of storytelling and expedition outfitting while obtaining a BA in theatre arts at University of Iowa.  She completed an Outdoor Educator course with NOLS in 1993.  She taught English in Ladakh, India and positive parenting skills in Moab, Utah.  She continues to combine environmental activism with consciousness education as a doula, massage therapist, and faculty member at East West School of Integrative Healing Arts.  She enjoys telemark skiing, stargazing, and gardening with her two kids.