Coddiwompling.
Travel purposefully towards a destination, as yet unknown.
The TOPOnexus Story
The year was 1991, and the place was the Upper Penninsula of Michigan. Think winter camping with glorious snow and temperatures of 10˚ below. But no tent poles! Long story short, we jerry-rigged the tent and froze ‘til daybreak. Real experience. Real learning.
TOPOnexus is rooted in adventure.
When we’re out and about in the real world, we become curious, challenged, connected. We learn more about where we are and who we are. We become committed to our community. And we figure out how to use our talents and take action.
Real-world learning makes us feel alive.
For thirty years, we have been redefining and redesigning what learning looks like. We have been all over the map, working with willing partners, and navigating new paths. Along the way we’ve had lots of detours. We believe in Plan Bs because they bring out the best in us.
And now we’re bringing forward Learn Local–not a scripted curriculum, but a way of learning–to all learners of all ages. Through our dynamic programming, we are tapping the power of place, the power of people, and the power of shared purpose.
Come for a “coddiwomple”.
At TOPOnexus, we go coddiwompling – we travel purposefully, but our destination is unknown. We are open to limitless possibilities, and we travel with intention.
We are responsive, nimble and innovative.
We go off the beaten path.
And we always bring the tent poles.
Learn Local Credo
Together we create a positive learning environment:
Welcome everyone
Find a different view
Create connections
Try new things
Get messy and make mistakes
Clean up after ourselves
Strive to do better
Meet the Team
Team TOPO is a group of lifelong learners. We are skilled professionals and experienced educators with a wide range of talents to share. We act as facilitators. We create community. We have a passion for helping learners discover their own path.
Molly Ames Baker
Founder l Chief Innovator l Educator
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Molly Ames Baker has been connecting people to place and creating community with innovative teaching methods and high-quality field experiences for over thirty years. She has worked with people of all ages throughout the country including the Colorado Outdoor Education Center, Colgate University, National Outdoor Leadership School, Harbor Springs Public Schools, North Central Michigan College, Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce Industrial Arts Institute, and the National Park Service.
Molly’s roots are in adventure education and experiential learning. Her MA is in Outdoor Education with a focus on place-based learning. Molly’s current work is focused on connecting the dots, creating systems change, and equipping learners of all ages with tools to become “community ready”.
Molly’s passion is inspiring others to find their “Whoa” moments of learning
Margie Marks
Learning Coordinator l Educator
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Margie is enthusiastic about supporting learners of all ages as they find courage and self-confidence in communicating their learning to others.
With an MA in Education, Margie taught public school for 33 years. She developed and implemented the Middle School Communication Arts curriculum for the Walled Lake Consolidated Public Schools and was the director and producer of the Middle School Theatre.
Margie’s Education Specialist degree and Galileo Leadership Academy experience enrich her positive approach to learner-centered, collegial knowledge-gathering. Margie thrives on creating meaningful relationships between people and building community through guidance, sharing, and growing.
Collaborating with TOPOnexus as Learning Coordinator is a dream come true – a dream Margie didn’t even know she had until it aligned with her. Taking the lead from experiential learning, Margie is excited to be designing and moving guided learning outside of buildings and into community spaces.
Meet the Board
Susan Ford–Harbor Springs, MI
Meika Loe–Albany, NY
Anne Clauss–Hamilton, NY