Molly George in one of her classrooms. Angel’s Landing, Zion National Park, Utah.
Molly George attended IS in the FA’07. After graduation from Hobart and William Smith Colleges, she taught high school at her alma mater The Gunston School. She left the classroom to become an “Adventure Travel Tour Guide” and spent seven months leading multi-week road trips across the United States. Combining her experience of education and travel, Molly founded The Road School.
“This summer, our teachers and guides at The Road School will lead select groups of high school students on two-week educational road-trips throughout the United States. My inspiration for The Road School came from my days on Eleuthera, where I saw first hand the incredible impact of place-based, hands-on learning. As we experienced during Island School, there is no better way to learn than getting out of your comfort zone and immersed in your subject matter. Our educational sessions take place while hiking in Yellowstone, marching in Selma, and camping with the Navajo in Arizona.
We’re looking for students, teachers, parents, and IS alumni who share our vision. If you want to learn more about the program or teaching opportunities reach out to me at mcsgeorge91@gmail.com. Can’t wait to connect with you!”
Tom McDonough, his co-instructor Kat Nelson, and the adorable Mango at Camp Dudley.
Tom attended the Island School as a student in Spring 2008, returned to teach for the semester program from Fall 2014-Spring 2016, and stuck around to help with the CEI Gap Program in Fall 2016. He now lives in the Adirondacks, working for Camp Dudley, where he is helping to build a semester-long gap year program on the shores of Lake Champlain.
The Dudley Gap Experience is a small-group leadership program, running from September to December each year. Launching in the fall of 2017, this program focuses on leadership and character development, skill-based learning (farming, cooking, building, and service), and expedition-based adventure. The expeditions include a trip to the American Southwest with NOLS, a student-led backpacking trip in the Adirondacks, and a visit to The Island School! The whole program is centered around the ethic of the Dudley motto: The Other Fellow First.
The Island School has always been close to Tom’s heart, and he hopes to further the school’s mission of Leadership Effecting Change by continuing to bridge the Dudley and Island School communities. For more information on the program, applications, and details, please visit the website (www.campdudley.org/gap) and email Tom at tommcdonough@campdudley.org.
Matt Aryes with the Co-Directors of Woza Soccer, Kate Silverman and Chris Kaimmer, in Peru.
Matthew Ayres was a member of the Island School’s Spring class of 2007. Leaving Maine, he attended Connecticut College where he graduated in 2014 with a self-designed major in Environmental Education: An Eco-justice Approach. He then went to work for Waterford Kamhlaba United World College of Swaziland as a teacher and soccer coach. Currently living in Seattle, he now works for Woza Soccer, a nonprofit that takes high school soccer players on international soccer-focused service trips; using the game to connect across cultures and support sport for development organizations abroad.
“My interest in education was somewhat subdued before I attended the Island School, however it was during my IS experience that I learned the potential of what education can give to its students. For me, education should always look to harness a student’s passions and empower them to give back through the pursuit of those passions. Working with Woza has been a way for me to expose kids to the idea of using soccer for social impact; to show players that soccer is more than just a game they love, but a way for them to give back; that it is a sport that has the power to make the world a better place.
Every summer, Woza Soccer leads soccer-focused service trips to Costa Rica, Peru, Malawi and South Africa, and we are always looking for amazing kids to join our trips! If you would like to learn more about Woza Soccer, feel free to contact me at matt@wozasoccer.com – I look forward to hearing from you soon!”