DANIEL FLADAGER
Washington,CT
Summary
Curriculum Developer and Administrator with a deep understanding of experiential education, outdoor education, humanities education, and leadership development. Brings over 10 years of experience as an administrator, outdoor guide, and college and high school teacher.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
11
11
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Director of Outdoor Programs
The Frederick Gunn School
Washington, Connecticut
01.2021 - Current
- Collaborated with Senior and Leadership Teams to create new keystone experiential outdoor program nearly from scratch.
- Collaborated with Athletics, our Center for Just Democracy, and Dean of Students to develop low ropes, high ropes, and leadership programs that benefit our entire school.
- Served on Co-Curricular Committee, Student Activities Committee, and Leadership Team to help manage every aspect of daily life on campus.
- Managed staff of three employees, budget of $25,000/year, and warehouse of outdoor adventure gear including low ropes course.
- Developed personal knowledge of backpacking, climbing, and leadership programming to enhance our school's mission.
- Taught academic courses that administer outdoor leadership curriculum and link literature and philosophy with the natural world.
- Offered physically challenging but emotionally safe and supportive environment for education, cooperation and leadership development for students.
Summer Term Curriculum Developer
The High Mountain Institute
Leadville, Colorado
07.2017 - 08.2018
- Collaborated with colleagues in developing a unique, keystone summer curriculum experience that merged the best aspects of outdoor education and humanities education practice.
- Led four backpacking expeditions of ten days each into the Colorado backcountry, using NOLS-style expedition backpacking.
- Helped students develop their camping and risk management skills through targeted and individualized instruction.
- Developed unique blend of writing workshops, awareness and self-reflection activities, and outdoor experiences into a collaborative and engaging college essay writing workshop.
English Instructor
Purdue University And Indiana University
West Lafayette And Bloomington, Indiana
08.2015 - 08.2020
- Developed unique curriculum to fit diverse set student abilities and expectations to deliver courses in Business Writing, Adventure Literature, Wilderness Philosophy, and English Composition.
- Used effective teaching techniques and learning strategies in translating lesson plans into productive student learning experiences.
- Developed interesting lectures and educational activities to maximize learning within classroom.
- Delivered lessons to 30-60 students per term, assessing their writing and giving personalized feedback about rhetorical, grammatical, and structural improvements to their writing.
- Emphasized the connection between writing and thinking by using Socratic seminars and deep conversation.
Lead Wilderness Ranger
US Forest Service
Pinedale, Wyoming
01.2012 - 01.2015
- Trained and led staff of 12 wilderness rangers to complete trail and monitoring work in the Wind River Range.
- Served as liaison between Forest Service and organizations like NOLS, Outward Bound, and Youth Trail Crews.
- Managed large warehouse of tools and backpacking gear, keeping everything in working order and ensuring that all equipment was accounted for.
- Educated public on wilderness policy, ecology, and best practices for backcountry and frontcountry camping.
- Ensured safety of our wilderness users and protection of the resource through daily patrols, wildland firefighting, and search and rescue operations.
Education
Ph.D. - Literature of American Outdoor Recreation
Indiana University
Bloomington, Indiana 08.2017 - Current
Master of Arts - English Literature And Composition
Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN 08.2015 - 05.2017
Bachelor of Arts - English
Gonzaga University
Spokane, Wa 08.2008 - 08.2012
Skills
2022, Viristar Risk Management for Outdoor Programs
2021, Wilderness First Responder
2017, NOLS Outdoor Educator Course
2017, Leave No Trace Master Educator
Hobbies
Mountain Biking, Chess, Ultra Running, Backpacking, Climbing, Creative Writing, Stargazing, Woodworking, Guitar, and Piano.
Timeline
Director of Outdoor Programs
The Frederick Gunn School
01.2021 - Current
Ph.D. - Literature of American Outdoor Recreation
Indiana University
08.2017 - Current
Summer Term Curriculum Developer
The High Mountain Institute
07.2017 - 08.2018
English Instructor
Purdue University And Indiana University
08.2015 - 08.2020
Master of Arts - English Literature And Composition
Purdue University
08.2015 - 05.2017
Lead Wilderness Ranger
US Forest Service
01.2012 - 01.2015
Bachelor of Arts - English
Gonzaga University
08.2008 - 08.2012