Administration

• Sean Bierle Founder & Head Teacher Sean Bierle has lived all over the world and loves to travel. He has been working in the outdoor industry since 2000 and has lead and taught in Idaho, California, North Carolina, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Chile. He has been a teacher in both traditional public schools and public charter schools, as well as an adjunct professor at the university level.  He has lead outdoor programs for private boarding high schools and lead courses for the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS).  Sean earned his B.S. in Entomology from the University of Florida and his M.A. in Education from Boise State University. He is a certified Wilderness EMT, Swiftwater Rescue Technician (Advanced), ACA Whitewater Kayak Instructor Trainer, and Leave No Trace Master Educator.  With Kristin Bierle, Sean teaches the Capstone Leadership Class at the Alzar School.  Read Sean’s Welcome Letter or Email Sean

• Kristin Bierle Founder & Executive Director Kristin Bierle was born and raised in North Carolina, where she started exploring rivers, mountains, and caves with her father. She has been working in the outdoor industry since 2000, having lead programs in Idaho, California, North Carolina, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Chile. Kristin earned her B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies (Economics, Education, and Spanish) and her Masters in Business Administration from Boise State University, and was chosen by the professors as the outstanding student of her graduating class. She is a certified Wilderness First Responder, Swiftwater Rescue Technician (Advanced), ACA Whitewater Kayak Instructor Trainer, and Leave No Trace Master Educator. Kristin has completed lengthy motorcycle trips around Mexico and Maine. With Sean Bierle, Kristin teaches the Capstone Leadership Class at the Alzar School. Email Kristin Bierle

Faculty

• Samuel Goff Science Samuel “Mr.” Goff is an engaged teacher who will be teaching Physics, Environmental Science and Chemistry for the Alzar School. He is very student centered and is involved with hosting district wide catapult and cardboard canoe competitions. Sam loves Ultimate Frisbee too, volunteering to coach and organize the high school Ultimate Frisbee league in Boise.  Sam serves on the board for Fiends of the Park’s capital campaign and is involved deeply with the construction of Boise City’s river recreation/whitewater park.  Sam worked for Adventure Quest in 2002, and with Alzar School to lead the F.L.O.W. 2011 leadership development program, and he is Wilderness First Responder certified. Email Samuel Goff

• Evan Kramer History and Spanish Evan Kramer is a professional experiential educator who has taught for several programs, including the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), Summit Achievement, and The Road Less Traveled. Originally from the Bay Area in California, Evan studied Psychology and Spanish at Colgate University. There, he lead the school’s baseball club and interned for the Center for Outreach, Volunteerism, and Education. He spent a semester studying abroad in Spain, led a service trip to the Dominican Republic, and has lead groups of students in Ecuador and Costa Rica. Evan is a Wilderness First Responder and Leave No Trace Master Educator, as well as having received raft guide and avalanche training.  He loves to knit and has an uncontrollable urge to bust out a ukelele to accompany Disney theme songs. Email Evan Kramer

• Ellie Moore English Literature and Spanish Ellie Moore, California native and third generation educator, discovered her love for wilderness exploration over summers spent in the Sierras. Since 2007, she has been sharing her passions for literature and the outdoors with students through various programs. Recently, she has worked for The Boojum Institute, The Road Less Traveled, and The Red Cedar School. She has a degree in English Literature and Creative Writing from Middlebury College, and has spent a year living and studying abroad in Ecuador, New Zealand, and Chile.  Ellie completed a Literature Teaching Fellowship at The Island School, a semester school in the Bahamas, and has led groups of students to Ecuador, Norway, and Tanzania. She is a trained conflict mediator and Wilderness First Responder. Email Ellie Moore

• Dan Thurber Mathematics Dan Thurber has been working and teaching in the outdoors since 2003.  As a professional river guide, ski instructor, swiftwater rescue trainer, and kayak coach, he is most at home in these unconventional classrooms.  Dan has guides for OARS-Dories on the Salmon River in Idaho and the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon.  He has traveled to 15 different countries and kayaked in five of them.  Dan is an avid backcountry skier and professional ski patroller.  He earned a bachelor’s degree in Geology from Southern Oregon University and studied Civil Engineering at Oregon State University.  He joined the Alzar School in 2011 to help lead the F.L.O.W. program.  Dan is a second-generation river runner and math teacher. Email Dan Thurber

Interns

• Eric Chandler Spring 2012 Eric Chandler, Boise native, studied Adventure and Outdoor Programming at the University of Utah. He completed the Sonoran Year program for NOLS and has worked as a commercial raft guide on the Arkansas River for American Adventure Expeditions. He has also been a camp counselor at Luther Heights Summer Camp outside of Sun Valley, Idaho. This year, Eric is developing the school’s climbing wall and assisting with gear contributions for outdoor companies.

• SJ Byce Fall 2012 SJ Byce will graduate from the University of Richmond in May 2012 with a degree in Biochemistry. She has studied abroad in New Zealand, Peru, Argentina, and Turks & Caicos. At the University of Richmond, she has worked in the admissions department. She has also worked for Bold Earth Adventures and as a snowboard instructor at Mammoth Lakes in California. She is a Wilderness EMT and PADI-certified diver.

• Patrick Miller Fall 2012 Patrick Miller graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in Physics. He has worked as a whitewater raft guide on the American River drainage, and as a camp counselor in Texas. He has also been a snowboard instructor and studied abroad in Australia, as well as completed a service project in Uganda. Patrick is a Swiftwater Rescue Technician and certified snowboard instructor.

• Martha Brummitt Spring 2013 Martha Brummitt graduated from Colorado College with a degree in Geology. At Colorado College, she was the Co-Chair of the Outdoor Recreation Club. She studied abroad in Spain, completed an internship in New Zealand, and an independent study in Thailand and lead multi-week canoe trips in Canada. She has worked for several summer camp programs, including Camp Manito-wish in Wisconsin. She is a Wilderness First Responder and Swiftwater Rescue Technician.

• Jan Wojtasinski Spring 2013 Jan Wojtasinski is finishing a degree in Outdoor Recreation from the University of New Hampshire. He has worked for UNH’s Outdoor Program, Zoar Outdoors, and the White Mountain School. He has also coached snowboarding. He has traveled throughout Peru, Argentina, and Chile, as well as completed service trips to the Dominican Republic and Mexico. He is a Wilderness EMT, Leave No Trace Trainer, and ACA Level 4 Whitewater Kayak Instructor.

Employment

The Alzar School is not currently recruiting any faculty or interns.  If you are interested in being considered for a future position with the Alzar School, please send a two-page resume to sean@alzarschool.com.