Our Educators

One of the keys to Yosemite Institute’s success is our faculty of highly skilled field educators. Equipped with a wealth of experience, education, and training, they create and facilitate the life changing adventures that our students have in Yosemite National Park.

Who are they?

“Typical” field educators have a Bachelors Degree or higher, two to three years of teaching experience in outdoor and/or environmental education programs, and a contagious enthusiasm for exploring the natural world. Many have traveled or lived abroad, sometimes volunteering for organizations or studying foreign languages. Some have worked as national park rangers or as certified classroom teachers. Musicians, photographers, philosophers, poets, birders, artists, climbers, and cooks they are, and their passion for teaching and facilitating connection is inspiring.

What do people say about them?

Teachers such as these get rave reviews from their students.“Understanding,” “awesome,” “funny,” “enthusiastic,” “intelligent,” “cool,” “interesting,” and “encouraging” are words that students regularly use to describe their field educators. Chaperones and classroom teachers add to the list “professional,” “flexible,” “aware,” “patient,” and “perceptive” while supervisors report that their staff is “creative,” “intuitive,” “thorough,” “inspiring”, and “fun.”

How can I join the team?

Although some field educators make teaching at the Yosemite Institute a career, many choose to teach for Yosemite Institute for a few years and then move on to something else. When this occurs, field educator positions open up and new staff joins the faculty. This process brings fresh energy, ideas, and perspectives to the mix and enriches the Yosemite Institute experience for everyone involved.