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For the last 20 years, she has been an international educational practitioner who manages change in complex systems. She approaches the school ecosystem recognizing that it is intertwined with the health of the larger community, the planet and each individual. She worked for the largest national and statewide conservation education, advocacy, and stewardship organizations designing, implementing, and evaluating programs for whole school systems that educate for sustainability. In her free time she builds tiny homes, propagates plants, and makes bamboo flutes. She is a living experimenter who creates spaces for community gatherings, performs avant-garde flute concerts and dotes on her teenage son. She educates for sustainability because it creates favorable conditions for the healthy growth and development of learners of all ages and supports our collective ability to live well within the laws and limits of nature.
She is compassionate, loving, honest, and understanding. After playing soccer and getting her Associates Degree from Lower Columbia College she moved to Bellingham to finish her education with a degree from Western Washington University in education with a focus in Physical Education and Health.
Gifted the opportunity to stay home with her children until school age, she could not wait to re-amerce herself back into her passion for education. Angie spent 8 years working with the Bellingham School District, primarily focusing on teaching and creating a health curriculum based more toward social and emotional health.
Angie loves her husband, two kids, 3 dogs, and Louie (the hamster). As a big promoter of following your passion/passions, she loves to garden, cook, paint pottery, play with her nieces, watch soccer games (of past students and players), and boating in the San Juans.
Marley grew up in sunny California but moved to Washington almost 20 years ago. She holds a BA in Sociology and an MFA in multi-genre Creative Writing. She came to EA after teaching writing, research, and critical inquiry at Western Washington University, where she won the 2017 award for Excellence in Graduate Instruction. Her educational passions are literature and history, but she is also an expert in local ecology and native plants. Before settling down with her family she traveled the world, braved the elements working in habitat restoration, built her own landscaping business, and toured the west coast with a belly dance troupe. Her stories and essays have been published in numerous literary journals.
Quinn was born and raised in Washington state, where he received a Bachelor of Arts at Western Washington University, and a Masters in Teaching at Northwest University. He initially pursued museum work, focusing on experimental archeology, material culture, and traditional crafts – including historic construction methods, leatherworking, and blacksmithing – and discovered there that his favorite way to both learn and teach is through interactive experiences.
Curiosity is the center of Quinn’s love of education, nature, and travel. It led him to work for several years as a coach and outdoor guide in Montana, walk from Mexico to Canada via the Pacific Crest Trail, and to compete in archery tournaments in 11 countries. His other hobbies include scuba diving, photography, and guitar.
Growing up in Washington State, Jason developed a love of being outside at an early age. Hiking, biking, climbing, drawing and exploring in the outdoors have always been important parts of his life. In high school, Jason was invited to help out with 6th grade Outdoor School where he also found a love of teaching. He completed a degree in Biology with minors in Chemistry and Environmental Education at WWU with a hope to work as an Interpretive Naturalist to inspire young people to appreciate and take responsibility for the ecological health of our planet.
Jason also went to Bastyr University and completed an MA in Applied Behavioral Science then worked for several years as a youth and family psychotherapist before deciding to go back to WWU for an MIT in Secondary Science where his area of research focused on developing curricula that allow students to choose their own adventures while working toward standardized learning objectives. Jason is excited to apply that research at Explorations Academy by working with students and faculty to develop experiences and projects driven by students’ interests in the phenomena associated with biology, physics, chemistry and psychology.
Frank was born in Baltimore, MD. However, circumstances took him to Pennsylvania and he never lived in Maryland again. Music was such an integral part of early life that he never imagined being without it. Early on, Frank took piano lessons. He was able to start playing trumpet and do lots of singing in high school. From then on it’s been pretty much an endless stream of lessons, courses, ensembles, bands, orchestras, liturgies, combos, shows, etc. Frank has a BA in Philosophy and Structural Linguistics from LaSalle University in Philadelphia. He also received a Masters in Education From Queens University in Ontario, Canada as well as a Masters in Music and Wind Ensemble Literature. He has taught math and music internationally, and currently teaches Integrated Math curriculum at Explorations Academy. Currently Frank plays trumpet in two ensembles at Western, and plays regularly with the talented people of Paul Sorensen’s Northern Lights Jazz Orchestra. He also directs the Bellingham High School Alumni Band. Mornings are spent teaching math and sometimes music at Explorations Academy. He enjoys reading, and teaching math affords him psychological grounding and mental balance.
Native Bellinghammer and Sehome High School graduate, Ben Rathkamp comes to Explorations with a decade of teaching experience. After completing a self-designed, interdisciplinary degree at Western Washington University’s Fairhaven college, Ben went to Korea to teach English for a year. Following that experience Ben earned his Masters in Education from University of California San Diego and taught math and science in San Diego public schools for 8 years.
Ben’s students tackle grand, multi-faceted problems to make sense of the world around them. Ben’s teaching uses visuals, reasoning, collaboration, and exploration to focus on dispelling math anxiety and the myth of the ‘math brain.’
Nicola grew up in Bellingham where exploration of the North Cascades and the Salish Sea formed a wonder-filled emotional connection to the world. She became further enamored with Earth’s natural beauty and the power of passionate people through education, traveling to new and wonderful places, and teaching.
Nicola holds a Bachelors of Science in Aquatic and Fisheries from the University of Washington, a Masters of Education from Western Washington University, and a Career and Technical Education teaching certification. She has taught environmental education in the Dominican Republic, Catalina Island in California, Orcas Island, the North Cascades, and lowland Whatcom County where she has engaged students in a variety of topics such as ecology, climate science, natural and cultural history, outdoor skills, and leadership. She has taught students where nearby nature was the classroom, coordinated with schools to provide experiential opportunities for students in and outside of school, led backpacking and international trips, and offered teacher professional development on teaching outdoors and climate science education. She is excited to join Exploration’s Academy where she can be inspired to continue teaching and learning about the interconnectedness between history, culture, identity, and the more-than-human world.
Nicola spends her free time cultivating her garden, snuggling her cats, searching for breathtaking views, exploring above and below the surface of the sea, and attempting to paint her adventures in watercolor.
Recent California transplant. Artist, sculptor, world traveler, and gardener who has extended studies in Santa Barbara. Adoring all things making for a happier, better future for all!
Janice Brendible has been an educational leader, teacher, researcher since 1997. Before that she was inspired to start teaching from her work with the United Indians of all Tribes that served urban natives in a Head Start Program. Her role at Explorations provides administrative and student support services across a broad spectrum. Her inspirations for education grew out of asking why some students learn at a different rate and exploring the difference between what a lesson was meant to teach and what the children learned. Janice is originally from S.E. Alaska.
The Advancement Director is a key staff member in our small, nonprofit, educational organization. This person is responsible for taking the lead role in fund development and donor relations, while also supporting the outreach work of our organization. The Advancement Director (A.D.) interacts with other staff as well as volunteers, students, and parents, collaborating with and at times leading them to generate necessary philanthropic revenue. The A.D. will influence our organization through innovation, professional expertise, commitment, personal integrity, and a sense of humor. This 3/4 time position is an ideal platform for an energetic and experienced individual to deliver results and to earn the satisfaction of being a valued team member in a hands-on human service environment.
The successful candidate will be highly organized, efficient, skilled at handling multiple projects, and possess excellent interpersonal and administrative skills. The A.D. will manage major donor relations, grant writing, fundraising events, partnerships with businesses, and annual giving efforts. In each of these areas the A.D. will be supported by other staff and in many cases by volunteers. In addition, the A.D. will assist with promotional activities such as newsletters, public events, and outreach communications. The A.D. will also play an important role in supporting and contributing to our administrative team, working closely with the Administrative Manager and Executive Director. Further, this position involves being part of our overall staff team including faculty and program leaders. Flexibility, integrity, time management, and openness are crucial to successful performance in this highly dynamic and social setting.
About EA:
Our school was founded on three pillars of thought that a REAL education (Relevant, Engaged, Applied Learning) is personal, social, and global. Our mission is to ignite a passion for learning that inspires participants to collaborate effectively and take responsibility for positive global change. We value experiential learning, healthy individuals and communities, and environmental awareness. Since our founding, we have incorporated environmental education, field study, and ecological literacy into our core academics and summer programs. This helps students build an ethic of environmental stewardship and volunteerism into their life as a direct result of first-hand experiences where nature is the classroom. Community responsibility is also central to our mission, and students engage in service learning work with a variety of environmental, social justice, and other organizations.
Responsibilities
Fund Development: Take the lead role in developing philanthropic funding. This will include major donor cultivation and grant writing, maintaining and improving our Salesforce donor database, assisting in event coordination, and building partnerships with local businesses. Further, collaborating with the Executive Director, working with Board of Directors members as leading volunteers, preparing and delivering donor materials, coordinating annual giving, and donor acknowledgement and tracking are key components of this position. Ultimately the A.D. is our primary staff member responsible for leading fund development efforts and achieving fund development results.
Public Contact/Outreach: Help to increase the visibility of the organization through outreach activities, publications, and events; be present at community events, at times act as a spokesperson representing the organization. Assist in public contact and recruitment, at times answering phones and greeting visitors.
Communication: Website, & Newsletter: Provide leadership in writing, editing, producing and distributing publications. Assist with building our social media presence and with updating and expanding our website.
Staff Support: Provide assistance to other staff members as time allows. Tasks may include data entry, phone calls, running of errands, printing, and mailing.
Qualifications/Criteria
Reports to
The A.D. reports to the Head of School.
Contact
Before applying for this job please review our website, curriculum, mission, and program descriptions. This position requires incredible amounts of passion, dedication, flexibility, a high tolerance for adaptation, and a special measure of brilliance. Please provide an electronic resume and cover letter to jennifer@explorationsacademy.org. Applications received by May 20th, 2024 will receive priority. We maintain a nondiscrimination policy and are an equal opportunity employer.
Salary/Benefits
This is a .75 FTE salaried position (based on 30 hours/week), which may grow to 1.0 FTE. The salary range is $45,000- $60,000 per year depending upon experience. Work hours are somewhat flexible, and will include Fridays, and some evenings and weekends.
Expectations:
Employment under this contract is subject to all current policies, rules, and regulations and those that may hereafter be adopted or amended by the Board of Directors of GGI. Explorations Academy seeks individuals of all ethnic, socio-economic, geographic, and religious backgrounds to apply for this position. We are committed to maximizing the diversity of our organization and recruiting a team to reflect the diversity. Explorers Academy does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access as required by law.
Application Procedure:
Please submit an application by email by May 20th, 2024 to admin@explorationsacademy.org
The application should include:
