At the confluence of her love of teaching and the outdoors, Julie Brisbin found her way into the Sierra Expeditionary Learning School community in 2010 as a Founding Teacher. Julie’s seven years of classroom experience range from not only guiding her students through dynamic thematic units and expeditions, but also coaching positions which include CRT Coach, Team Leader, and PLC Facilitator. Julie has taught locally in Tahoe City and Reno since 2005. Prior to teaching in the classroom, Julie was an Environmental Education/ Adventure Education guide for many outdoor education schools in Montana, Colorado, and Arizona. During Julie’s experience teaching for Sierra Expeditionary Learning School, Julie has achieved community accolades for her Fall 2011 Expedition titled “On American Soil,” in which students raised money for the Donner Summit 20-Mile Museum. The class then researched and graphically designed an interpretive sign for their petroglyph site. The sign still stands, prominently featured, at the petroglyph site on Old Hwy 40.

Julie set her sights on Experiential Education (and Expeditionary Learning) at Prescott College, where she earned her undergraduate degree. From participating in fieldwork in a marine mammals course in Kino Bay, Mexico to rainforest ecology in Costa Rica, and all fieldwork in between, Julie not only learned the pedagogy necessary to understanding learning behaviors, but also witnessed the miracle of in-the-field experience- a true cornerstone to education and sense of place. Julie received her teaching certificate at Sierra Nevada College and is one long dissertation away from her Masters in Education.

 

Julie enjoys the Sierra Nevada Mountains with her husband, two young children, and lab/golden mix, “Crazy-Hazie.” When she is not trail running, skiing, climbing, entertaining her kids, sipping espresso, road-tripping, or grading papers, Julie picks up her guitar and plays a few gigs. A transient musician/ singer/ songwriter for over 15 years, she loves the Americana/ bluegrass genres and loves to sing a tune or two out in downtown Truckee with whichever band she is playing with at the time.

 

Julie is proud to be a founding team member at Sierra Expeditionary Learning School- a school where academic excellence, reinforcement of positive character, and supportive community produce happy, high achieving students!