Alzar School students and teachers on the Rio Fuy, Chile ALZAR SCHOOL When we need a classroom, the world awaits.
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Dr. Sam Chewning Sam Chewning loves everything to do with the outdoors. “Dr. Sam” is well-known for being a patient, thorough teacher. His passions include kayaking, caving, sailing, flying, and riding motorcycles. He is a cave rescue and Wilderness First Responder instructor for the Alzar School, and also teaches for Pfeiffer University. Currently, he is retired a spine surgeon, living in Cornelius, NC, but he also provides emergency medical care following natural disasters with S.O.R.T. Dr. Chewning reviews and consults with the Alzar School on our medical and safety protocols, and helps with program development. Claudio Vega Claudio Vega is a native of Valdivia, Chile. He joined the Alzar School for our “Rivers of Chile 2008” expedition and was a huge asset. He brings a wealth of knowledge about the culture of Chile and a great love of teaching. When not leading programs for the Alzar School, he is an instructor for the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) in Patagonia, Utah, and Idaho. He loves to whitewater kayak, traverse glaciers, and sea kayak in the fjords of southern Chile. He is also an excellent photographer. Look forward to seeing Claudio on future Alzar School programs! Kristin Bierle One of the founders of the Alzar School, Kristin Bierle was born and raised in North Carolina. She started exploring the outdoors by crawling through caves and paddling rivers with her dad, then moved on to fine-tune her skills at Camp Green Cove. Later, she came to Idaho for her summers to teach kayaking on the Payette River. She has worked for seven years in Idaho, but has also taught in California, Chile, Costa Rica, Mexico, and North Carolina. Kristin graduated with honors from Boise State University in May 2006 with an interdisciplinary degree in Education, Economics, and Spanish. She is currently certified as a Wilderness First Responder, Swiftwater Rescue (Levels 1 & 2) by Rescue 3 International, ACA Whitewater Kayak Instructor, Lifeguard, and CPR. See Kristin’s resume. Sean Bierle Sean Bierle has lived all over the U.S. and loves to travel. He has been working in the whitewater industry for the past eight years, starting in Idaho. He has guided rafts, taught kayaking, and conducted river rescue clinics around the U.S., Costa Rica, and Chile. He currently teaches science and math at Boise High School. Additionally, Sean has worked as a rock climbing instructor, adjunct professor for Boise State University, lifeguard, substitute teacher, and private tutor. Sean graduated from the University of Florida in December of 2002, and finished his Masters in Education at Boise State University in August 2006. Currently Sean holds certifications as a W-EMT, Swiftwater Rescue Technician (Levels 1 & 2) by Rescue 3 International, ACA Whitewater Kayak Instructor, and CPR. See Sean’s resume. From a student “The Alzar School instructors were very good. I could tell that they have a lot of experience—they knew what they were doing!” – Rosario, Rivers of Chile 2008

Alzar School
P.O. Box 16604
Boise, ID 83715
Phone: 208.639.9891
info@AlzarSchool.com
Teachers & Instructors
Dr. Sam Chewning
Claudio Vega
Kristin Bierle
Sean Bierle
The Alzar School relies on top-notch teachers and instructors in order to make its programs exceptional.  Our teachers bring a passion for the subjects they teach, as well as years of experience working with teenagers.  Our staff is a diverse group, hailing from all over the United States and the world.
HistoryHistory.htmlHistory.htmlshapeimage_7_link_0
Board of DirectorsBoard%20of%20Directors.htmlBoard%20of%20Directors.htmlshapeimage_8_link_0
AdministrationAdministration.htmlAdministration.htmlshapeimage_9_link_0
Advisory CommitteeAdvisory%20Committee.htmlAdvisory%20Committee.htmlshapeimage_10_link_0
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