Ben Sneller

Ben Sneller currently serves as the Education Manager at John Ball Zoo, where he leverages over a decade and a half of experience in elementary education to create dynamic, engaging, and impactful learning experiences for diverse student populations. His role involves overseeing a variety of innovative school and youth programs designed to foster environmental stewardship, inquiry-based learning, and outdoor recreation. Among his key initiatives is the Zoo Lab, an immersive, week-long program that provides classroom teachers with hands-on, experiential opportunities to integrate science, ecology, and conservation into their curricula. This program emphasizes project management and educational assessment to ensure meaningful, measurable outcomes for both students and educators.

In addition, Ben manages ZooLittles, a nature-based preschool located on the zoo grounds, where he applies his expertise in differentiated instruction and personalized relationship-building to nurture young learners’ curiosity about the natural world. His leadership in the Habitat Hero program exemplifies his commitment to community outreach and environmental education; this nine-month initiative reaches 20 classrooms across Grand Rapids Public Schools, focusing on native habitats, biodiversity, and sustainability. His skills in inquiry-based learning, integrated science, and outdoor recreation are central to designing programs that inspire a lifelong appreciation for nature and conservation.

Ben’s background in elementary education, combined with his passion for environmental education and bird watching, enables him to develop engaging, standards-aligned curricula that promote critical thinking and inquiry. His ability to coordinate complex projects, coach educators, and assess program impact makes him a vital asset in advancing John Ball Zoo’s mission to connect communities with wildlife and the natural environment through experiential learning.