Amy Anderson - Fieldwork & Administration
After growing up in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California, Amy ventured north to pursue her passion of nature and love of plants by studying Botany at Humboldt State University (HSU). Although she was sure she would be a college professor, an eight-week teaching stint at an adventure summer camp, just one year before finishing her degree, permanently changed her course. She returned to HSU, replaced hard sciences with education and psychology courses, and re-wrote her major to graduate with a Bachelor of Science.
Knowing that she wanted to teach both indoors and out, she spent the next 6 years teaching 7th – 12th graders in a private boarding school, where she had the opportunity to teach math and science in a classroom, rock climbing, rafting, backpacking in the Trinity Mountains, and even traveled the world for two years, teaching every subject “on the road.” It was at this school outside of Redding, California where she designed and implemented the first all- girl’s summer adventure group. Whether teaching in French Gulch, Ireland, Florida, or “top-roping” at Canterra Loop, she continued to pursue more educational opportunities to help meet the needs of the diverse population she chose to work with. She finished her teaching credential and earned endorsements in multiple subjects and special education.
In August of 2003, after moving to Bend to surround herself with new mentors, adventure, and experiences, she stumbled upon REALMS. She continues to value the colleagues and friends she works with, the chances and risks she takes in the classroom (which are encouraged), and the opportunity to truly create a learning environment that values young people’s voices, strengths, and wisdom.Outside of REALMS, Amy can be found spending time outside with her family gardening, skiing, climbing, or boating or running the nonprofit, Girls Go Outside, she co-founded.