When I was a kid I used to get mesmerized by passing clouds. I would play outdoors until the streetlights came on. I was not an indoor kid. My brother used to negotiate chores with me, because he favored indoor chores and I didn’t mind pushing the lawn mower. For my seventeenth birthday, my parents took me to Yosemite–just me (no siblings or friends)–and I hiked so far in on a trail that my mom got worried and inquired with a park ranger because I was gone for almost half a day. I was always curious and mildly adventurous.
My career in education now spans nearly two decades and for the past six years I have also served part-time in the Air National Guard (United States Air Force) as a Loadmaster (aircrew). The colliding of these two different worlds blended my excitement for supporting youth having access and representation to outdoor spaces. It has also led me to believe in something bigger than myself in terms of public service. Some might say working with teenagers should include hazard pay just like my aircrew position, however, it’s a balance of living out my values in my personal and professional life.
Being a leader in both education and the military is like character-building on steroids. I feel like I can impact change in both realms regarding public service: it’s a privilege to watch someone’s child grow up in the classroom or in a squadron. In both arenas, community building can take place, and although we can have different viewpoints or backgrounds, we have a mission that needs to be accomplished and collaboration will need to take place. There are plenty of other examples of overlap, but truly I feel honored to help students see the best version of themselves, sans parents/community influence.
When we were growing up we didn’t have time or much access from where we lived to enjoy a hike or go for a swim at the beach, and I don’t recall having an outdoor recreation role model I could look up to. So I became my own role model, blazed my own path, and prioritized my own interests. I created space for others to take up space in the outdoors so they can see themselves in it. Being active outside, helping others, and doing things that my parents did not have the opportunities to do has always guided my own pursuits and endeavors to be a role model in my community.
I am my ancestors’ wildest dream or wild card. Depends on who you ask. I usually get a head tilt when people recognize that I am an educator and serve in the military. Many are intrigued. I am of the school of thought that you can be more than one thing, because inherently we all are, and we all live at various intersecting identities. I believe I have followed my calling to public service in and outside the classroom. My leadership roles at HMI and within the Guard are similar and very different, more than this newsletter can cover. I will say I am my full self at both places, and feel honored and privileged to serve in both capacities to create safe spaces so others can do the same for themselves and hopefully see themselves in these spaces.
This article originally appeared in the Spring 2024 HMI Newsletter.