Rich and Tonya Mandl are the husband and wife teacher-team that make up “Rhymin’Reason,” dedicated to teaching youngchildren about environmental science and health through song.  Rhymin-Rich, a secondary English teacher, brings creative lyricisms to the duo, while Tonya, M.S. Science Education, also a teacher and the former school garden coordinator for the Los Angeles Unified School District, helps the group stay “Reasonable.”

Rhymin’Reason made their debut in 2002, where they received the “Most Educational” award from the Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education, and have been performing at numerous educator conferences, environmental festivals and outdoor schools since, including the Skirball museum, Huntington Library and Gardens, and the annual Los Angeles Environmental Education Fair.  In 2004 R&R performed at the “Roots and Shoots” festival with Dr. Jane Goodall and the 2006 Science for Young Children event at the National Science Teachers Association conference.   In 2005, both Tonya and Rich were awarded the “Environmental Educator(s) of the Year” award from the Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (AEOE).   


Rhymin'Reason with Jane Goodall