Prior to joining the faculty at Sterling, John spent ten years teaching in two different college outdoor education programs in Colorado. His previous courses focused on snow science and avalanche safety, technical outdoor skills, risk management, and recreation in modern society. He has also worked as a climbing guide, backcountry ski guide, avalanche educator and avalanche forecaster in Colorado and throughout the Pacific Northwest.

John believes the role of an educator is to provide well-structured, growth-oriented experiences grounded in what the teaching and learning scholar, Ken Bain, calls natural and critical learning environments. As a teacher, John hopes to foster lasting and meaningful connections between his students, the subject matter and the natural world. John studied geosciences and history as an undergraduate and then pursued a master’s degree in education; similarly, he approaches teaching in an interdisciplinary manner with a focus on inquiry-based learning and place-based education. He strives to incorporate multiple perspectives into all of his courses while blending relevant educational theory with hands-on practice and reflection.

In addition to teaching and mountain guiding, John has been involved with several large-scale curriculum projects in the snow and avalanche industry. He has developed and delivered avalanche safety curriculum and avalanche instructor training programs for the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE). While working at Colorado Mountain College, he helped build a 2-year certificate program that focused on avalanche science; he also worked as an instructional designer on a hybrid curriculum project for the college’s ski area operations program.

John has recently relocated to Vermont from Leadville, Colorado. He lives with his wife, Reed, their daughter, Eleanor, and their energetic Blue Heeler. John’s favorite outdoor activities include rock climbing, trail running, and any form of skiing.