Semester 9 Staff – the Best Yet

When we arrived back at Cascade, Idaho on August 4th, we were only a little different than when we’d left two months prior; some of us had traveled to Canada for epic whitewater, others had returned to old communities to rediscover big pieces of ourselves. Most spent too many hours in cars listening to innumerable podcasts, and a few backpacked. All of us were tanner. But, the four teachers and their new experiences that returned that day only make up a fraction of the instructors that would have a new and profound effect on Semester 9’s kids tomorrow (and many days to follow).

This semester we have Megan Wyllie – she was our Science Teaching Fellow last Fall and has come back for the incredible community she proved so capable of developing then. She’s bubbly and passionate and fierce. She’s capable and humble and caring. She’s our Leadership teacher (among many other things).

We have Reed Wommack who has spent weeks and weeks backpacking and instructing in Alaska. He’s taught at Swiss Semester. He’s kayaked loads. And, he is incredibly good at any game you try to play with him. He’s supportive and playful and pensive. He teaches a little Science, a little English, and a little Phys.Ed. He’s a boss.

We got Colin back from last semester, too! Colin just came back from leading a trip in Alaska, as well. He loves being on the water and could probably teach anyone how to roll a kayak. He’s great at accents and gets work done. He studied abroad in Spain, and now he teaches Spanish and P.E. Can’t stop, won’t stop.

And those are only our teachers! Our Teaching Fellows are so incredibly and impressively capable. Melissa traveled abroad to Ecuador, has an Education degree, and leads multi-week expeditions for Deer Hill Academy. We have John who has been to Chile multiple times, was the president of his college’s outing club, and taught at Teton Science School. Johanna mountaineers, climbs, and has a degree in Education, as well. She’s warm and loves to take photos. Hallie has been a raft guide for some years now, she lived abroad in Spain, and she is rocking it as our Medical Coordinator assistant. And, Dave has been a wilderness instructor for years. He’s passionate about teaching leadership and orientation. He’s hilarious and kind.

… and those are only are instructors! We have a new Dean of Studies and a new Director of Admissions. Our program is growing, and it’s no doubt one might fear what that growth means for them or their student. Being someone who is very directly affected by these changes, I certainly wondered. And my fears have been assuaged. After five days of river-systems training, risk-management scenarios, academic lessons, early mornings, and late nights, I feel more than confident in saying that we have a stellar crew. These people know and care. They are capable and compassionate. They are role models and open to growth.

Semester 9 is bound to be the best yet -I’m sure of it-, and it’s only the first day.