I am a(n)...

White, Cis-Gender Female, Straight, Educator, Curriculum Designer, Business Administrator, Backpacker, Paraglider Pilot, Climber, Daughter, Sister, Camp Counselor, Dog Parent, Hiker, Outdoor Instructor, Exchange Student, Friend, Environmental Steward, Leader, Global Citizen

My Story

Growing up in the foothills of Angeles National Forest, I have been blessed with access to trails and the mountains from a very young age. My father was an avid outdoorsman - a climber, backpacker, scout leader, and so on - and instilled a love for the outdoors in me from a young age. Although he is no longer with us, his influence runs deep and lead me to develop my own love of outdoor adventure recreation including mountain biking and paragliding.

I was introduced to the idea of experiential education as a 7th grade student when my class attended Catalina Island Marine Institute (CIMI). Immediately inspired by hands-on science exploration combined with outdoor adventures like snorkeling and kayaking, I knew I had found my calling. It was a way to combine my love of summer camp (where i have spent 19 summers so far) with education. A budding career path was formed.

I followed my passion for outdoor education and science to Humboldt State University, where I earned my B.A. degree in Liberal Studies: Recreation Administration with a focus on Natural Resources Management and Education. Throughout the summers during that time I worked for several summer camps including CIMI. Upon graduation, I worked several seasons teaching outdoor science education on Catalina Island with Long Beach Marine Institute (LBMI).

Due to the role I took on with my father's declining health in 2015, I decided to pursue a position with NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in the Education Office. While I knew I eventually wanted to continue my career in outdoor education, I needed to have a position that kept me local for my dad. Putting graduate school on hold, I spent nearly 7 years growing at JPL and eventually becoming a Sr. Business Administrator and Security Education Lead for the National Security Programs Office. While I thoroughly enjoyed that experience and learned a great deal, I decided it was time for me to return to my roots. In 2021, I left JPL to pursue my Master's in Education at the University of Washington and began my 10 month residency with Islandwood.

Islandwood's graduate certificate program in Education for Environment and Community has allowed me reconnect with my original interest and direction for my life. In the 10 month residency, I have been able to participate in applied learning sessions and coursework that help me to apply a JEDI (Justice Equity Diversity & Inclusion) lens to my work as an educator. In addition, I have been able to strengthen my skills in curriculum design and instruction while teaching in Islandwood's School Overnight Program.

My Favorite Media

Books:

The Lorax, Dr. Seuss
- Though Dr. Seuss may be a controversial person now, I have always loved his work. In particular, The Lorax is such a perfectly summed story about corporate greed and the impact on the environment while also containing a seed of hope at the end.
The Tree Who Set Healthy Boundaries, Topher Payne
- This is the alternative ending to the classic kids book "The Giving Tree". In this version, the tree stands up for itself and tells the little boy that it cannot give up everything because it has to take care of itself in order to help others in the future. I enjoy reading both versions to my students and sparking a discussion about self-care, boundaries, and persistence.
Ender's Game (Series), Orson Scott Card
- This whole series is such an incredible ride. I love how it blends philosophy with politics, future and history, and holds children as such capable and intelligent characters that they stand above the adults.
The Thief of Always, Clive Barker
- I was given a copy of this book by my brother in 1999 and have read it so many times that the cover is disintegrating. It reminds us to value what we have and that sometimes the short cuts in life are not worth it.

Podcasts:

I absolutely love podcasts. I have learned so much and sparked so many interesting conversations and additional research strands from podcasts. These are a few of my favorites.

Radiolab
Every Little Thing
The Experiment
California City
The Other Latif
Dolly Parton's America

Contact

I'm always looking for new and exciting opportunities. Let's connect.

sbarger@uw.edu

760-914-4406