Outdoor educators who inspire: Swiftwater Learning Center
Educator Michele Montgomery on how she uses hands-on learning and the outdoor classroom to share a sense of place and comfort and the outdoors. For high school students growing up in a recreation and tourism town at the foot of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, those lessons can lead to lifelong passions and potential future careers.
by Erin McQuin
At WTA, we collaborate with a community of educators who have included outdoor education and programming with their students. The Outdoor Leadership Training program supports these educators and their schools with gear and training.
We recently connected with a few educators we admire to learn more about how they are building better futures for their students.
Swiftwater Learning Center is an alternative high school in the Cle Elum-Roslyn School District. The school supports high school students with student-driven learning and meaningful curriculum. WTA has partnered with Swiftwater Learning Center since 2021. Swiftwater Learning Center educators have attended WTA’s hiking and snowshoeing workshops and we have provided gear for their snowshoeing and camping trips.
We connected with instructor Michele Montgomery to learn more about Swiftwater Learning Center:
Can you tell us about Swiftwater Learning Center's goals for outdoor programs?
Swiftwater is a Big Picture Learning school that focuses on learning through projects and helping students find their passions. Since many of my passions center around outdoor living, I always include outdoor ventures as part of our program. I am very lucky to be in a program where I have an opportunity to expose students to the things I love!
Being located in a recreational and tourism hub, it is important for our students to be exposed to the beauty and opportunities available in our backyard! We strive to introduce Swiftwater’s students to outdoor pursuits ranging from outdoor careers to camping and the many activities in between. My personal goal is to get to a point where we have an annual backpacking trip that explores different parts of the state as part of a Pacific Northwest history class and possibly a hiking club.
Swiftwater Learning Center students enjoying the snow while searching for a classroom Christmas tree. Photo courtesy Michele Montgomery.
What inspired you to start leading outdoor programs with Swiftwater Learning Center?
My initial inspiration to start leading outdoor programs with Swiftwater is somewhat selfish. I love being outside and it is a great excuse to get out of the classroom! I also happen to be an Evergreen State College graduate who majored in field biology; the hands-on learning during the field trips I experienced during college is something I am trying to replicate with my students today.
Why are outdoor programs so important?
I am a huge advocate for instilling a sense of place within our community and the world for my students and the Alpine Lakes Wilderness is literally in our backyard. I feel it is important for students to have a comfort level with the different outdoor pursuits our area has to offer. Exposure to outdoor programs is important so students learn to appreciate the world around them and how to recreate responsibly.
How do you uplift the students you serve?
I believe in them, laugh with them, and I learn and try new things with them.
How do you encourage your students to become outdoor leaders?
Leadership is something that I encourage in my students in all of their project work. I always encourage my students to be leaders in general throughout their classes. One of the ways I do this is by introducing them to all kinds of activities that I think they will enjoy and supporting them in feeling comfortable in trying new things. Then I just praise them for being present, being brave and supporting each other.
Are there any projects you’re excited about right now?
This time of the year, we are helping Mid-Columbia Fisheries with their salmon release program. We have been going out to release sites and assisting elementary students with site observations, looking to identify “good” and “bad” salmon habitats.
An in-progress project we are working toward at Swiftwater is a collaboration with the Mountains to Sound Greenway to become stewards of an area within the Teanaway Community Forest. If this project comes together, Swiftwater will work to restore and maintain that area.
I am also working to get a hiking club together with the hope of building up to an overnight or multi-day trek. Every year is different, but I am hoping that for next school year, I will again have students interested in snowshoeing — fingers crossed!
Students planned a day hike to Umtanum Falls for our first nature activity of the school year. Photo courtesy Michele Montgomery.
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