DRIVING CHANGE IN THE WORLD
Making a Positive Impact in the World
In the fall of 2016, the senior class of Tahoe Expedition Academy was asked to design a class service trip on their own. As a crew, they decided that with the turmoil in the Middle East and the refugee crisis in Europe, they would travel to Greece to volunteer with PRAKSIS, a non governmental organization that provides social and medical services for refugees. The goal of the trip was to understand and help refugees forced to flee their own country to find safety elsewhere.
At the culmination their Learning Expedition titled “Move, Adapt, or Die: The Life and Times of a Syrian Refugee,” students produced this short documentary film, which illustrates the challenges of current Syrian refugees in Greece. They also created a Facebook page to spread awareness of the plight of refugees in Greece and to support the PRAKSIS aid organization and all of the volunteers they met along the way. If you are interested in supporting PRAKSIS, their donation portal is here with details on how your support would be used.
Beth Valarino
Matt Morrison
Carolyn Highland
Loren Trux
Merinda Zywicz
Andy Giordano
Heather H. Roenspie
Carrie Haines
Katy Watts
Ana Sofia Remis
Eric Martin
Greg Wright
Ken Martin
Laura Quarin
Mara Morrison
Beth Valarino | Middle and High School Humanities Coach + Crew Leader
This is Beth’s 5th year living in the Reno/Tahoe area, and her 16th year in education. Throughout her career and life, she’s been fortunate to have lived, worked and travelled all over the world.
Beth was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, where she graduated from Punahou School. Throughout her entire educational upbringing, she was fortunate enough to be able to be immersed in experiential education. Her high school experience was focused on inquiry-based, integrated, and personalized learning. In college, Beth participated in four separate study abroad programs where she was able to use the world as her classroom. Both were perfect training grounds for TEA!
After graduating from college with a Bachelor’s Degree in English, Beth spent over ten years living and teaching in Central America and in the Middle East while working on and completing two separate Master’s Degrees in education and teaching. While teaching abroad, Beth facilitated outdoor learning programs, as well as student social-emotional development, in addition to her role as a classroom teacher.
In 2015, Beth returned to the United States, teaching at an independent school in the Pacific Northwest. In 2017, she bid the rain and clouds a heartfelt farewell, and gave a warm welcome to Tahoe’s endless blue skies and Jeffrey Pines!
In her free time, Beth loves to do all things Reno/Tahoe related. She’s been to over 50 countries, ran three half marathons, and has summited Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Kenya, and Mount Meru.
What inspired you to join TEA? Working at TEA has inspired a daily practice of gratitude and self-reflection. It’s helped me to look at mistakes or missteps as areas for growth, rather than areas of being small. It’s helped me to ask myself “What can I learn from this? How can I grow? What more can know or learn in order to be successful next time?”
Where did you go to school? Chaminade University. Masters in Education and Masters in Teaching.
Do you have any special certifications? WFA Certified
What is something that not everyone knows about you, but probably should? I’m an insanely fast reader. Like, unbelievably speedy. In the summers I generally plow a book a day. I credit this to my second grade self, where I would be found reading with a flashlight under my sheet at all hours of the night.
Matt Morrison | Dean of Students + Middle and High School Humanities Coach + Crew Leader
Matt’s passion for teaching came from his time as a snow board instructor at Northstar. Though he enjoyed instructing adults, it was the kid groups that truly made him smile. Life had other plans though, and Matt put his ideas of teaching on hold while working in the private yacht industry, plying the waters of the South Pacific during the winters and cruising around New Zealand during the summers. He ended up going back to school to get his teaching degree in New Zealand and worked in a local elementary school as a 4th/5th grade teacher for 2 years before moving back to the USA. Once back home in 2012, Matt joined TEA where he taught 5th grade for 6 years before making the transition to the Middle School and High School in 2018. Matt was thrilled to join the Middle and High School team and have the opportunity to focus in on his love of history, while also helping to solidify the Middle School as an integral part of TEA.
What inspired you to join TEA? Seeing my kiddos come home from school each day with smiles on their faces and stories to tell.
Where did you go to school? University of Waikato / Graduate Diploma in Teaching; Sierra Nevada College / BS in Business Administration
What is something that not everyone knows about you, but probably should? I have logged over 26,000 nautical miles at sea.
Carolyn Highland | Middle and High School Humanities Teacher + 6/7th Crew Leader
Carolyn grew up on the Maine coast, and has been slowly moving west ever since. She got her BA in Creative Writing & Spanish at Northwestern University in 2012, then moved to the Colorado to pursue a MA in Education at the University of Denver in 2015. Carolyn spent 3 years teaching in a bilingual 4th grade classroom in Denver Public Schools, then 3 years teaching 4th grade & coaching the biathlon team at TEA.
Carolyn is a 4-time NOLS grad, having completed a semester course in New Zealand in 2012, an Outdoor Educator course in Wyoming in 2019 and several WFR recertification courses over the years. She spent many summers leading international & domestic trips for teenagers with Adventures Cross Country. Any spare second she can get, Carolyn can be found backcountry skiing, trail running, mountain biking, backpacking or multi-sporting–she is a particular fan of long-distance sufferfests.
She is also an author and a freelance writer with work published in Backcountry Magazine, The Ski Journal, the WildSnow & NOLS blogs, and the Teton Gravity Research website. Her first book, Out Here: Wisdom from the Wilderness was released by Rocky Mountain Books in 2020 and is available at Word After Word in Truckee!
What inspired you to join TEA? I love the opportunities for creativity at TEA (both for teachers & students!), as well as the holistic approach to education. Getting to help students push themselves beyond their perceived limits, explore what they’re passionate about, and engage with real-world issues is such a gift!
Where did you go to school? BA in Creative Writing, Northwestern University 2012, MA in Education, University of Denver 2015
Do you have any special certifications? WFR since 2015, AIARE Rec Level 2, Endorsement in teaching culturally & linguistically diverse populations
What is something that not everyone knows about you, but probably should? I used to work for the Appalachian Mountain Club’s hut system in New Hampshire, and got to live in a hut up on Mt. Washington for a fall season!
Loren Trux | Middle and High School Math & Science Coach + Crew Leader
Loren earned his California Multiple subject Teaching Credential from Chico State University and is currently working toward a Waldorf teaching certificate. During his most recent teaching experiences in Waldorf education he discovered many alternative methods for reading instruction and teaching techniques. Loren discovered his passion for working with children at a day camp in Tahoe City more than fifteen years ago and is very excited to be doing what he loves in Tahoe once again. He is eager to learn more about the expeditionary model and looks forward to sharing his ideas with the communiTEA.
He also enjoys many outdoor activities including mountain biking, kayaking, fishing and exploring nature with his family. Loren likes to play music and work making things with his hands. He lives in Kings Beach with his wife Ashley and daughter Iyla. Loren believes that a teacher’s task is to help each student reach their greatest potential. To do this he must be a guide, and companion in the pursuit of knowledge and the pursuit should be authentic for the student and teacher.
What inspired you to join TEA? The opportunity to help kids reach their greatest potential.
Where did you go to school? California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from Chico State University
What is something that not everyone knows about you, but probably should? I am an avid blacksmith and teach a blacksmithing class at TEA’s summer camp.
Merinda Zywicz | Middle and High School Spanish & Humanities Coach + Crew Leader
Merinda is from California and grew up spending time exploring and playing in the Sierras. She studied International Development with a focus on Latin America and Political Ecology. Her studies focused on trying to find solutions that balance the social, environmental and economic needs of the world, which makes her very excited to be at TEA where students grapple with those problems regularly. She has spent time working with non-profits that tackle these challenges in Ecuador, Chile and Costa Rica.
Prior to working at TEA, Merinda worked as a ski instructor and naturalist in Tahoe. These jobs helped her realize her passion for teaching kids in settings where they are empowered to learn through their own experiences and pursue their curiosities. Merinda also spent a year in Madrid, Spain where she studied Spanish and worked as an au pair to foster language acquisition for the three young girls in the family.
Teaching Spanish at TEA is a culmination of many of Merinda’s personal interest and she is excited to share her passion for the value of language with the students. Outside of TEA Merinda loves to ski, run, climb, bike and generally take advantage of the outdoor opportunities in Tahoe.
What inspired you to join TEA? TEA’s approach towards framing learning as a way of tackling real world problems as well as their acknowledgment of the value of learning through experiences.
Where did you go to school? University of California Berkeley, Bachelors in International Development with a focus on Political Ecology in Latin America
What is something that not everyone knows about you, but probably should? I have skied in more countries than states.
Andy Giordano | Middle and High School Science Teacher + 9/10th Crew Leader
Andy is excited to be teaching upper school science and leading 9th-10th grade crew at TEA. Andy cultivated his experience in education over the course of 14 years in independent schools where he served variously as a science and photography teacher, department chair, residential life staff, Director of Experiential Ed and Dean of Students. He is focused on connecting students with their own curiosity and fostering self-awareness under the guiding principle that safety and challenge must coexist in the learning environment. He excels at pushing students to contextualize their experience in pursuit of their goals. Andy’s focus in the classroom is to continually push core understandings in science by drawing together big ideas. He asks students to develop the ability to make observations, ask scientific questions, formulate hypotheses, design experiments, and create scientific arguments. In this way students develop scientific habits of mind while building confidence and independence.
What inspired you to join TEA? I’m inspired to be a part of a learning community that shares my goals and values. I’m excited for the opportunity to innovate in the classroom, to explore unifying through lines across the student experience, and the constant pursuit of growth and collaboration.
Where did you go to school? I earned a BS in Biology from the State University of New York at Buffalo and an MS in Zoology from Washington State University.
What is something that not everyone knows about you, but probably should? I love tying flies. There is nothing quite as satisfying to me as the combination of art, science and sport. It’s also quite funny to watch big old me tying tiny little flies.
Heather H. Roenspie | MS & HS Humanities
Heather was born and raised in Rocklin, CA. After she graduated from high school, she moved to Soda Springs to work, live, and learn to snowboard at Sugar Bowl. After two full-seasons living on the summit and several bone breaks, Heather switched trajectories and enrolled herself at San Francisco State University, where she knew she wanted to study philosophy and deepen her self-awareness by getting outside of her comfort zones and learning from the “great book of the world.” Heather’s time at San Francisco State University was well spent, she earned her B.A. in Philosophy and World Religions and her M.A. in Philosophy and perhaps more importantly, Heather did grow tremendously as a human-being. After college, Heather wanted to share her love of learning and self-cultivation with others. So naturally, she sought out a profession as a philosophy teacher. To date, Heather has taught philosophy and world religions courses at San Francisco State University, Diablo Valley College, Canada College, and Sierra College. Additionally, Heather holds a Social Science teaching credential and has spent several years working for Placer County Office of Education here in Truckee at the Tahoe-Truckee Community School. Regardless, if Heather is teaching philosophy at the college level or teaching middle school and highschool, her professional goal remains the same: to guide and encourage all learners towards becoming open-minded, deep-thinking, resilient, empathetic, compassionate, creative, team-players, problem-solvers, and awesome citizens of our complex, ever-changing, and diverse world. Heather is thrilled to be joining the TEA team and embarking on her 11th year of teaching. Personally, Heather has a joyous and curious relationship with life, so away from teaching and developing her craft, you might find Heather reading , traveling, relaxing solo or with friends at Donner Lake, visiting family in Auburn, eating delicious vegetarian foods, snowboarding at Sugar Bowl, finding peace and renewal outdoors, loving her children and husband, or playing with her dog Charlie.
What inspired you to join TEA? The promise that not only will I be teaching my beloved subject areas, but that I will be challenged and encouraged to try new things, struggle, be in awe, have fun, be curious, let creative juices flow, reflect, learn deeply, build relationships, and cultivate wisdom right alongside my students and colleagues! I am excited to do this work and to see who we become!
Where did you go to school? San Francisco State University: BA Philosophy & World Religions / MA Philosophy Brandman University: Social Science Credential
Do you have any special certifications? WFA
What is something that not everyone knows about you, but probably should? Kombucha is life!!!
Carrie Haines | Real-World Intensive Coach
Carrie Haines is from Mill Valley, California. She studied with the School of Dramatic Arts at the University of Southern California and earned her BFA in Acting. Carrie did her post graduate work in English and Dramatic Arts at Sonoma State University. She has been a member of both SAG AFTRA, and Actor’s Equity Association. Carrie has been directing stage productions at both the community and professional level since 1990. Carrie is the Artistic Director for Truckee Community Theater and teaches workshops, camps, and directs main stage productions. Carrie is a member of the California Educational Theatre Association (CETA). She is excited to be joining the communiTEA along with her husband John and daughter, Lily who is now at the middle school.
What inspired you to join TEA? Just about everything at TEA inspires me, but what stands out is the idea of challenging students to reach beyond their comfort zone to explore the world around them.
Where did you go to school? The University of Southern California, School of Dramatic Arts, BFA
Do you have any special certifications?California Educational Theatre Association (CETA, Member Actor’s Equity Association, Retired member Screen Actor’s Guild/SAG/AFTRA.
What is something that not everyone knows about you, but probably should?I am an introvert.
Katy Watts | College and Career Counselor + Registrar
Katy was born and raised in the Bay Area and has been happily working with teenagers since 2002, after she earned her MA in School Counseling and PPS from Chapman University. After 3 years in public schools in the Bay Area, she moved to the Middle East (Bahrain) in 2005 to focus on college planning and guidance, where she worked with international students seeking admissions to universities not only in the US, but in Australia, Europe, Canada and anywhere else they could imagine. She has also worked with students from low income and first generation backgrounds. Most recently she has been an external freshman reader for a top UC. Well versed in public, private and Ivy League colleges and universities, Katy also has experience with recruited athletes.
Katy has been with TEA since 2015 and has been honored to create the HS College and Counseling program from the beginning and usher each senior class to post HS life. Her focus has always been on guiding students in finding the right social, academic and financial fit for college. Katy continues to stay current on admission trends by attending local, regional and national conferences and visiting colleges and universities around the US.
What inspired you to join TEA? TEA provides an opportunity for students of all ages to develop holistically while balancing academics, character and adventure. Our kids truly are ready for the real world by the time they graduate.
Where did you go to school? CSU East Bay BA Sociology, MA Counseling, PPS Chapman University
Do you have any special certifications? NACAC, ACCIS
What is something that not everyone knows about you, but probably should? As a family, our goal is to visit all 50 states by the time our kids, age 6 and 11, graduate from HS!
Ana Sofia Remis | Real-World Intensive Coach
Kristen is thrilled to be joining the TEA community as the Pk-12 school counselor. Starting her 16th year in education, Kristen has developed her skills as an educator at independent schools, holding different positions including math, science, and wellness teacher, Dean of Residential Life, and Dean of Student Life. Her focus is on the emotional wellness, safety, and growth of every individual in the TEA community. Her passions include guiding community growth and helping instill a sense of belonging and inclusivity.
Kristen hails from the west coast and was born and raised in California and Washington. She has been in the Truckee area since 2006. Despite pursuing a career in disease research after studying Microbiology at Washington State University, Kristen found her place and passion within independent schools. She is currently completing her M.Ed. in School Counseling at the University of Southern California. Outside of school, Kristen is mom to a TEA 2nd grader, a chihuahua, and a border collie. She is a proud member of the #BooCrew and loves to be out Nordic skiing in the winter.
What inspired you to join TEA? The focus on student wellness at TEA inspires me. Putting our social-emotional needs at the forefront of educational practice will help our students be healthier and happier humans as they navigate life.
Where did you go to school? Microbiology at Washington State University and am now in my last year of study to receive my M.Ed. in School Counseling at the University of Southern California
Do you have any special certifications? Specialist certifications from the American School Counseling Association including Mental Health, Anxiety & Stress Management, and Trauma & Crisis Specialist
What is something that not everyone knows about you, but probably should? I love cooking, doing puzzles, and am obsessed with houseplants!
Eric Martin | Athletics and Activities Director + Real-world Intensive Coach
Eric graduated from Salisbury University in 2004 with a BS in Business Marketing. At Salisbury, Eric had a standout lacrosse career — winning two National Championships in 2003 & 2004 and was named the 2003 & 2004 National Defenseman of the Year and the 2004 National Player of the Year. The summer following college, Eric was drafted by professional lacrosse teams in New York and California. After spending time on both coasts Eric made San Francisco home for the next 8 years, that is, while he wasn’t flying to/from or playing lacrosse games across North America. Eric enjoyed a nearly 10 year professional lacrosse career in the National Lacrosse League and Major League Lacrosse. Eric was a member of the US Men’s National Team that won the 2010 World Championship in Manchester, England. He’s a member of the Salisbury University Athletics Hall of Fame. Eric started working at TEA at the beginning of the 2011/12 school year. Prior to moving to Tahoe, Eric worked in sales and marketing within the sport and manufacturing industries. He directed and coached One City Lacrosse, a non profit that introduced lacrosse to underserved youth in San Francisco. He also co-founded and ran a lacrosse camps business. Eric believes that athletic participation and competition define character and perseverance. Eric will draw from his extensive professional background to help students discover and pursue their athletic passion.
What inspired you to join TEA? The opportunities and challenges that Lake Tahoe and its surrounding lands provide to everyone willing to step out of their comfort zone.
Where did you go to school? Salisbury University, BS in Business Marketing
Do you have any special certifications? High Sierra Lacrosse Board Member, Wilderness First Responder
What is something that not everyone knows about you, but probably should? I’m a better cook than you.
Greg Wright | Marketing and Communications Director + Real-world Intensive Coach
Greg’s path to joining TEA was through the world of action sports. Prior to TEA, Greg was at the helm of an influential action sports publishing network whose titles included Freeskier Magazine and Snow Board Magazine. His particular area of expertise is branded content production and distribution, and he’s found an impactful application for that skillset at TEA. From our TEAFilms.org program to our yearbook, website blog, social media, and monthly feel-good email newsletters, Greg may have earned the title “Chief Storyteller” at TEA.
What inspired you to join TEA? The opportunity to use storytelling and content distribution to influence kids to solve real-world problems and advocate for causes they believe it.
Where did you go to school? Sierra Nevada College, BS in Business Administration with an emphasis in Ski Area Design, Layout and Management.
What is something that not everyone knows about you, but probably should? I love to cook and have even won competitive cooking awards for my pork green chili (that’s made with 100% jalapeños).
Ken Martin | Finance & Operations Director + Title IX Coordinator + Middle and High School Math & Science Coach
Ken is a lifelong student & practitioner of leadership and management, having led teams in several military, corporate, & non-profit environments. Ken derives immense satisfaction from helping people use their talents to accomplish goals. Ken is deeply grateful for the opportunity to contribute to a school where the students are enthusiastic learners, where the teachers and staff are creative and passionate, and where the entire community pulls together time after time to support this unique and powerful program.
What inspired you to join TEA? Seeing students learn what they’re capable of when they’re tested by adversity. Seeing confidence, self-knowledge, passion, and purpose develop in students.
Where did you go to school? Vanderbilt University BE Chemical Engineering and University of Houston – Clear Lake MBA
What is something that not everyone knows about you, but probably should? I love to sing, mostly in quartets & choruses, having performed for thousands of people in many different settings, from elementary school classrooms to nursing homes, theatres and sports venues including the NHL Predators at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. As a teenager, I performed at the Palace Theater at Six Flags in St. Louis, MO. Most recently, I’ve performed with Nashville’s Music City Chorus in the 2018 BHS International Chorus Contest in Orlando, FL, placing 5th.
Laura Quarin | Middle and High School Program Facilitator + Humanities Coach + Crew Leader
Though originally from Canada, Laura’s love of exploration and travel have taken her all over the world. Laura has been fortunate to live and work in Canada, Australia, Panama, Egypt and the United States. She has taught a variety of academic subjects, served as an athletic director in two different countries, worked as the humanities specialist and principal at a small school outside of Vancouver, British Columbia, and going into her fifth year at TEA, can’t imagine ever not being at TEA!
Laura has a profound belief in the power of young people and is inspired by the level of creativity, innovation and empathy that students bring to problem solving. As our world confronts increasingly complex problems, Laura is heartened by how she witnesses students responding to the innovative and immersive learning opportunities that TEA strives to provide.
Laura is a lifelong learner who loves to continue reimagining how learning and education fits in the world we live in. She also follows her curiosity into historical non-fiction, through travel to new places and into the mountains as often as possible. When not diving into discourse with colleagues or students you can find Laura riding her bike or hanging out with her wife and two dogs.
What inspired you to join TEA? I am inspired by TEA’s refusal to accept a status quo that isn’t working. It is inspiring to be part of a community who believes in innovation, taking chances and making improvements. Ultimately, I am inspired by the ingenuity and impact that TEA has demonstrated young people are capable of, when supported, challenged and believed in.
Where did you go to school? Brock University (Canada) — Bachelor of Kinesiology; Minor in History, University of Wollongong (Australia) — Diploma of Education, Western Kentucky University — Masters of Science in Sports Administration
What is something that not everyone knows about you, but probably should? I put myself through college with the strangest collection of jobs imaginable. I have moved thousand degree steel bars across a cooling bed at a steel mill, dug graves at a cemetery, held the stop/slow sign for the construction crew on city streets, and of course, put on the visor and purple shirt at McDonalds.
Mara Morrison | Co-Director + Middle and High School Humanities Teacher + Crew Leader
Mara was born and raised in Oregon. Whether it was skiing Mt. Hood, traveling the world with her family, hiking the Pacific Northwest or camping up and down the West coast, Mara spent her childhood taking advantage of the beautiful world around her. Mara attended the University of Oregon to earn a Bachelor of Arts in History. After graduating, she moved to Tahoe and enrolled at Sierra Nevada College where she earned her teaching credential in secondary social studies as well as a Master of Art in Teaching. Her master’s thesis focused on using primary and secondary sources to teach about social injustices throughout history. Mara is passionate about connecting history to current events and sharing the passion for learning that she enjoys with her students. Mara has worked in a variety of settings with students and teachers ranging in levels from Kindergarten through University teaching subjects like math, writing, social studies, and Women’s and Gender Studies. In 2016, Mara joined the faculty at Tahoe Expedition Academy and has worn many hats since then, such as humanities teacher, crew leader, Dean of Students, and Program Director. She is passionate about bringing real-world experiences to the students of TEA and ensuring they have the skills and abilities to leave TEA to become courageous citizens of the world. She was drawn to her leadership position in order to advocate and support students, parents, and teachers while contributing to the “magic sauce” of TEA.
What inspired you to join TEA? TEA allows teachers to bring curriculum alive in order to make learning fun, challenging, and applicable to the real world. Traveling for fieldwork with students allows them to dive deeper into content, work with experts, develop a multicultural understanding of the world, and allows the student and teacher relationship to develop. When I see TEA students alongside students from other schools I am always blown away by their social and emotional maturity. TEA allows us to bridge the gap between rigorous academics, social-emotional learning and character development, and real-world adventure. At most schools, it is hard to implement change, but at TEA we thrive on it because we live in a dynamic world.
Where did you go to school? University of Oregon, B.A. History + Sierra Nevada College, M.A.T.
What is something that not everyone knows about you, but probably should? I love cooking and baking. I used to make wedding cakes and novelty cakes for special events.