Aaron Nydam
Jackson,Wyoming
Summary
- master educator with two decades of experience facilitating meaningful, learner-centered experiences
- passionate mentor and coach of aspiring and seasoned educators with over 15 years of experience guiding responsive curriculum design, instructional competence and personal resilience
- humble leader developing systems and cultures that empower faculty and optimize learner outcomes
- mindful advocate for anti-bias education and inclusive pedagogies
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Consulting Associate
George B. Storer Foundation
01.2021 - 05.2021
- Nature-based Early Childhood Teacher Development Grant, 2022
- Presented in-depth, quantitative and qualitative evaluation of outcomes and learning resulting from a decade of foundation investment in the preparation and delivery of nature-based, early childhood education
Teacher Development Consultant
Ecology Project International
09.2022 - 12.2022
- Analyzed and delivered recommendations for professional development evaluation measures and curriculum development
- Facilitated capacity-building workshops for field instructors focused on andragogy, teacher professional development research and Next Generation Science Standards structure and function
Director - Graduate Program
Teton Science Schools
01.2017 - 01.2021
- Developed systems to effectively execute the year-long arc of experiences toward programmatic outcomes and graduate student competencies
- Crafted an integrated thread of culturally responsive education through all aspects of programming
- Supervised performance and mentored professional growth of Graduate Program Faculty
- Partnered effectively with University of Wyoming, Antioch University and Prescott College
- Collaborated across TSS program areas to deliver on strategic initiatives and respond to institutional needs
- Managed campus operations, program budget and personnel systems with integrity and efficiency
Consultant and School Coach
01.2016 - 01.2021
- Facilitated the implementation of the Place-Network school improvement model focusing on learner-centered instruction, project-based learning, inquiry and design
- Facilitated place-based education professional development for inservice teachers within K-12 schools
- Mentored economic professors across the global south through coaching and coursework focused on andragogy, instructional strategies on and curriculum design with Environment for Development Initiative
Faculty and Instructional Coach - Graduate Program
01.2010 - 01.2017
- Instructed educational coursework and teaching practica as adjunct faculty in collaboration with University of
- Wyoming’s Science and Mathematics Teaching Center
- Coached personal and professional development of graduate students toward core competencies
- Built lasting partnerships with many k-12 schools and communities from the rural Wind River Reservation, WY to Los Angeles, CA
- Lead extended, place-based learning experiences throughout the Greater Yellowstone Area
Faculty
High School Science, Mountain Academy
01.2005 - 01.2010
- Designed and instructed a place-based curriculum integrating Biology and Environmental Chemistry
- Planned and led multi-day, experiential “journeys” into wilderness, urban and international settings
- Served as 12th grade capstone advisor mentoring coursework, experience, service learning and internships
- Mentored student teachers and facilitated new faculty orientation and mentorship development program
- In final year, received the 2010 Teacher of the Year award and honored with the naming of the “Aaron Nydam
- Science and Mathematics Award” given annually to a selected 11th grade student
Lead Instructor
Colorado Outward Bound School
01.2003 - 01.2007
- Instructed mountaineering courses in Colorado’s Collegiate, Sangre de Cristo and San Juan mountains
- Facilitated field-based curriculum focused on character development through technical mountaineering skills, awareness and compassion
High School Crew Leader
Rocky Mountain School of Expeditionary Learning
01.2004 - 01.2005
- Collaborated, designed and instructed trimester-long, integrated, learning “expeditions” following the EL
Education
Master of Science - Teaching - Natural Science
University of Wyoming
2008
<ul><li>NASC 5620: Field Ecology Course Design</li><li>NASC 5630: Teaching Practicum</li><li>NASC 5640</li></ul> - undefined
Denver Christian Schools
Denver, CO2002
High - Mathematics
Shelterwood Academy
Lakewood, CO2000
INSTRUCTEDEDST - undefined
Akiba Primary School, Christian Schools International
1998
Bachelor of Arts - Biology, Science Education
Calvin University
1997
Doctor of Education - Curriculum and Instruction
University of Wyoming
HIED 5640: Leadership DevelopmentEDRE 5530: Introduction to Educational ResearchEDRE 5640: Introduction to Qualitative ResearchEDRE 5645: Advanced Qualitative Research MethodsNASC 5620: Field Ecology Course DesignNASC 5610: Experiential & Environmental EducationNASC - undefined
Affiliations
- Master educator with two decades of experience facilitating meaningful, learner-centered experiences
- Passionate mentor and coach of aspiring and seasoned educators with over 15 years of experience guiding responsive curriculum design, instructional competence and personal resilience
- Humble leader developing systems and cultures that empower faculty and optimize learner outcomes
- Mindful advocate for anti-bias education and inclusive pedagogies
Timeline
Teacher Development Consultant
Ecology Project International
09.2022 - 12.2022
Consulting Associate
George B. Storer Foundation
01.2021 - 05.2021
Director - Graduate Program
Teton Science Schools
01.2017 - 01.2021
Consultant and School Coach
01.2016 - 01.2021
Faculty and Instructional Coach - Graduate Program
01.2010 - 01.2017
Faculty
High School Science, Mountain Academy
01.2005 - 01.2010
High School Crew Leader
Rocky Mountain School of Expeditionary Learning
01.2004 - 01.2005
Lead Instructor
Colorado Outward Bound School
01.2003 - 01.2007
Master of Science - Teaching - Natural Science
University of Wyoming
<ul><li>NASC 5620: Field Ecology Course Design</li><li>NASC 5630: Teaching Practicum</li><li>NASC 5640</li></ul> - undefined
Denver Christian Schools
High - Mathematics
Shelterwood Academy
INSTRUCTEDEDST - undefined
Akiba Primary School, Christian Schools International
Bachelor of Arts - Biology, Science Education
Calvin University
Doctor of Education - Curriculum and Instruction
University of Wyoming