Academic Engagement – 4/5 Honors Martin Luther King Jr.
On the Friday before Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the fourth and fifth grade class engaged in a morning learning about MLK and civil rights and an afternoon doing community service. Knowing that students have had days like this before, we started our morning with a KWL (know wonder learn) chart to start with existing knowledge that could be built off or perhaps corrected or questioned around MLK Jr. Some of their educated questions included “did the dude who shot him ever get caught”, “did he do his speeches to whites or mostly blacks”, and “how many people supported him because so many were against him?”. We borrowed books from the Teton County Library as well as some of our own existing collection at school so that each student had their own book to read and find new interesting information – perhaps answer questions from the KWL chart. After our time with books, we went out to board the buses! We partnered for the day with the senior center of Jackson hole, As we helped with meals on wheels art therapy and general socializing. Students were incredibly engaged and thoughtful as many heard stories and learned facts from some of the seniors that not only intrigued but also surprised them. There was an air of energy that the students brought to the center that was contagious as art class had its highest attendance as many seniors tried for the first time alongside the younger students as if somehow it was more attainable knowing there was a larger and perhaps less intimidating group of peers. At the end of the day a request was made for students to return in six weeks for an oral history project that would once again benefit both parties. We hope to see that project happen!
Snow Science
In Science, 2/3 and 4/5 students have been deep in a unit on snow science! Earlier this winter, we began by taking a closer
look at different types of snow crystals and we have since zoomed out to explore our snowpack as a whole. Students have eagerly engaged in digging their own snow pits to collect data on our local snowpack in multiple locations throughout our community. They will leave our unit on snow science with a better idea of how snow influences the economy, ecology, and culture of our place. Ask your student if they can teach you a game called “Flakity, flake, flake, flake!,” if you want to know more about snow crystals and how they impact snowpack stability. And let’s not forget the K/1 class that has been diligently tracking our snowfall and snow depth totals this season. Ask your K/1 student if they have been surprised by how much snow we’ve gotten!
Community – K/1 Journey to Bradley Taggart Lake Trail
The K/1 Bouncy Banana Bats embarked on a Journey to Bradley Taggart Lake Trail a few weeks ago to explore and learn about our ecosystem. We started our day making sure we were prepared and traveled on our minibuses to the trailhead where we fueled up with a snack and learned about different types of animal tracks. We played a game to practice walking like the
different mammals in our ecosystem to get a feel for how they move through the snow and these students were pretty skilled
at moving like “pacers” also known as bears. Along the way we practiced what to do when skiers or other hikers came along
the path and the students would slide to the left or right to allow others to pass by. They enjoyed greeting other hikers or skiers by smiling and waving saying, “Have a nice day!” It was lovely to see the joy that these Bouncy Banana Bats shared along the way. An exciting discovery were the holes in the snow like Lady, Kai & Harriet found in the photo above. We made predictions about which mammals are still moving during the winter and who might be living under the snow. We learned the importance of taking responsibility for our belongings and packed out any trash that we brought with us leaving no trace behind. We also kept an eye out for any trash along the way and let’s just say these students were great at spotting and taking responsibility for our surroundings. We have been working hard to follow directions and they all stayed safe and on the path, carried their own packs, and practiced staying hydrated which let us know they are ready for more adventures throughout the year. Last but not least we enjoyed the beauty and wonder of the snow even though we got a little wet and cold the students shared their gratitude for playing in the snow just as Max is showing us above. We love the magic of journeys and learning out in the field. These moments bring us together as a classroom community creating deeper connections with each other and the nature and beauty that surrounds us.
Student Corner – What was your favorite part of the first semester of the school year?
“Our Fall Extended Journey and learning about animal tracking.”
“Journey to Boyles Hill where we learned about macroinvertebrates.”
“Getting to be with the whole school at lunch!”
“Sledding!”
“Learning about research and getting to do our own research are things that
we are interested in.”
“Making our family group flags!”
“Morning meetings and getting to know each other better!”
“Going to the National Museum of Wildlife Art and learning about the wolves
and seeing the beautiful photographs.”
“Community Meeting and getting to sit and talk with the older students.”
“Making new friends in our class and getting to work together.”
Hometown: Huntington Beach, CA
Favorite animal in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem: The Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos horribilis)
Whitney (she/her/hers) has a passion for helping people connect with the outdoor world through a scientific lens and for promoting stewardship to protect the places we all love. She has both a Master’s degree in Ecology and a teaching certificate, which she has used as a wildlife guide, the curriculum designer and instructor of the University of Wyoming’s Guide Certification program. Whitney has an extensive teaching background both in and out of the classroom. As the Director of Wildlife Expeditions, Whitney provides our guides with mentorship, continuing education experiences and professional development to ensure that we offer the best guides in the industry. In her free time, you can find Whitney somewhere on the river, hiking with her husband and toddler, or examining scat with more interest than many would find normal.
Hometown: San Antonio, Texas
Favorite animal in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem: Moose
Born and raised in the Texas hill country, David grew up hearing stories from his parents of the majesty of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. While earning his degree in Biomedical Sciences from Texas A&M University, David assisted in the care of captive elk, lynx, and white-tailed deer, some of the animals found in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. After realizing that he couldn’t safely own a pet moose, he decided to move to Jackson so he could see them daily. Since arriving, he has thoroughly enjoyed sharing his passion for the parks by creating memorable experiences for his guests while also inspiring love for our beautiful planet and its creatures. The fact that Jackson Hole has 3 more seasons than Texas is an added bonus. When not guiding, David enjoys hiking with his dog, skiing and snowboarding, reading, and gazing up at the Teton range.
Hometown: Southern New Hampshire
Favorite animal: Bison
Samantha grew up in southern New Hampshire, skiing and hiking in the White Mountains. After graduating from Hamilton College with a degree in Philosophy, she returned to New Hampshire to work for the Appalachian Mountain Club in their backcountry hut system. Samantha then turned her enthusiasm for outdoor education into a position at a local Waldorf school in the White Mountains. She moved to Jackson in July and can be found exploring on her bike, hiking in the mountains, or getting mildly lost in the side streets of town square.
Hometown: La Fayette, Georgia
Favorite animal in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem: Great Grey Owl
Logan (he/him/his) grew up in southern Appalachia which connected him to the outdoors and natural world from an early age. While obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Outdoor Leadership from Young Harris College in Northeast Georgia, Logan immersed himself in as many outdoor experiences as possible to better connect himself with outdoor places and communities. After working many seasons as a guide and field instructor, Logan began working with private and public colleges in the State of Georgia coordinating outdoor programming with an emphasis on introducing inner-city and underprivileged students to outdoor initiatives and sustainable practices while recreating outdoors. Logan‘s model for facilitating outdoor programs is to introduce, educate, inspire, and create an everlasting and expanding relationship with the natural world and diverse communities around us.
Hometown: Kalamazoo, Michigan
Favorite animal in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem: Bison
Dylan grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Summer road trips introduced him to the National Parks and the mountains of the American West. After graduating college with a degree in Environmental Education, he has gotten an opportunity to live and work in some of the most amazing places in the world, including Mt St Helens National Monument, Redwoods National and State Parks, Death Valley, North Cascades, Grand Teton, and Yellowstone National Parks. Outside of work, Dylan enjoys photography, travel, biking, hiking, and watching movies.
Hometown: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Favorite animal in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem: Osprey
Helen grew up exploring northern Wisconsin’s forests, lakes, rivers and bogs. She attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she earned dual degrees in Conservation Biology and Environmental Studies. There she had the opportunity to study marine and terrestrial tropical ecology in Ecuador, and she focused her studies on alpine plants in high Andean grasslands called páramos. Throughout her time in school and after graduating, Helen led 9 to 45-day canoeing, sea kayaking, and backpacking expeditions focused on leadership development amongst groups of young women. These trips led her from the Great Lakes Region to the tundras of the Canadian subarctic in Nunavut and Northwest Territories, where she developed a love of hardy plants and animals thriving in cold, dry places. In 2019, Helen moved to Jackson and began working for Teton Science Schools as a Field Instructor, marrying her passions for science and the natural world with her experiences leading in outdoor education. With this unique landscape and its wild inhabitants in the foreground, she has since had the opportunity to connect with hundreds of visitors in this spectacular ecosystem. When not out inspecting nooks and crannies of high alpine environments for hidden wildflowers, Helen enjoys trail running, cooking colorful meals, backcountry skiing, and learning about the ever-evolving intersections between people and the environment in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
AnnaLisa first began to develop a love and enthusiasm for the practice of Natural History from a childhood spent immersed in the Northwoods of Vermont. With studies completed in Ecology and Environmental Humanities at Sterling College, AnnaLisa has since served with nonprofit environmental education organizations in diverse ecosystems across the country, worked as a college field instructor, and most recently as an NPS Wilderness Education Ranger. Passionate about experiential learning and the confluence of art, culture, and ecology, AnnaLisa enjoys getting to know the things that are sometimes overlooked and sharing them with others. In addition to flipping through field guides, she can be found playing music, riding her bike, and embarking on extended backcountry expeditions.
Hometown: Jupiter, Florida
Favorite animal in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem: Great Grey Owl
Keith grew up in Jupiter, Florida where he spent most of his time exploring the ecosystems in and around the Everglades. At a young age, Keith was exposed to many national parks and public lands around the southwest and Rocky Mountain regions. Keith went on to earn a degree in environmental studies with minors in geology and interdisciplinary studies at Florida Gulf Coast University. After graduating, Keith worked as a Geoscientist-in-the-Parks intern at Bryce Canyon National Park. This led to a seasonal position as an interpretative park ranger with the National Park Service. Keith has worked several seasons at Bryce Canyon and two seasons at Grand Teton National Park. When he’s not guiding, Keith can be found photographing wildlife, backpacking, bird watching, fly fishing, or playing guitar.
Hometown: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Favorite animal: River otter
Born and raised in Michigan, Sam spent her childhood dreaming of the mountains and vast deserts of the American West. As an adult, she moved to California to study at the University of San Diego. During that time, Sam began teaching wilderness skills and leading outdoor adventure trips throughout the Southwest.
Sam went on to work as a naturalist in Southeast Alaska’s temperate rainforest ecosystem, guiding river trips and leading backcountry expeditions throughout the The Last Frontier State and Canada.
The next stop on Sam’s journey was Wyoming, where Sam moved in 2018 for a dream job with Teton Science Schools. She has since become an active volunteer Firefighter & EMT with Jackson Hole Fire/EMS.
Sam is passionate about experiential education, backcountry medicine, and science communication. She loves to share those passions with others, including sharing her love for the GYE!
In her free time, you can find Sam writing, trying to finish a crossword, or exploring a national park.
Hometown: Franklin, MA
Favorite animal in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE): Grizzly bear
Jeff grew up exploring the forests, mountains, and coastlines of New England and graduated with a degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation from the University of Massachusetts. He began his outdoor career track working with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the National Park Service. Jeff moved to Jackson in 2015 to work with the Teton Science Schools and has worked as a field instructor and wildlife guide. During the summer season, Jeff works for the National Park Service, having worked at parks in Boston and Colorado, as well as both Grand Teton and Yellowstone. In his free time, Jeff enjoys fly-fishing, hiking, skiing, and wildlife photography.
Favorite animal in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem: Beaver