Hi there!My name is Emily, and I am the Executive Director of Great Basin Outdoor School. I am so happy to share that I've been working with my organization for over 2 years now, and I enjoy it so much!I first started my journey in high school. I went to TMCC Magnet High School from 2015 to 2018. By the time I was 17 years old, I graduated with two Associate's degrees. After that, I took a gap semester to gather information and discover where I wanted to go. I then attended the University of Nevada, Reno in the spring of 2019 as an Elementary Education major. During my practicum, I was oddly enough advised to change my major and career path. Over the summer of 2019, I really took the time to think about what they told me. In the fall, I then became a Wildlife Ecology and Conservation major. Wildlife has always been a passion of mine, and I am so happy I made the change. I went to college, loving the courses, and enjoying the things I learned. I then graduated with my Bachelor of Science in December of 2021. After I graduated, I searched for so many biology and field positions. I applied to countless federal positions and had no luck. When I came across Great Basin Outdoor School, I remembered my experience of camp when I was a child. It was so exciting to visit near the shores of Lake Tahoe and experience the great outdoors of northern Nevada. I immediately applied and prepped to get the position. When I was hired, I was so excited! I get to do both things that I am so passionate about: teaching others and wildlife ecology.Now, I get to have students join me at Tahoe and experience that same wonder as I had when I was 10 years old. Nature is so crucial and beneficial to anyone's physical and mental health. I love seeing the admiration my students have. I read the haikus they write, and I see the fun they have with our hands-on activities and games. The students are my reason for what I do. I especially love working with those who are in underserved communities. It is my goal to give opportunities to those who may not have it. I work consistently with Title 1 designated schools, low-income communities, and underserved populations.Get kids outdoors!