“I’ve come to embrace that good education necessitates an emotional investment, because if we don’t care when we fail, we won’t care when we succeed either, and students need teachers that care.”

“I think everyone would agree that sunrises are nice, but what about a sunrise on a mountain overlooking a snow and ice covered Squam Lake? Beautiful. A 4F Sunrise with a cup of coffee and a morning skate around Squam? Other wordly.”

“When I first got here in November, native New Hampshirites did their best to warn me about the cold of winter but apparently failed to convince me. A fact made evident by my thought that I could survive the winter with my breathable (read: not waterproof) summer hiking boots. It took only the first snowstorm for me to go running to the closest outdoor store to get some hardy snow boots.”

“Storytelling seems to be a key in getting people’s attention when it comes to science, especially climate science.”

“…the lesson I learn, time and time again, is that going out on that hike or heading out for a run, or even just taking the time to watch the sunrise or sunset is always worth it.”

“The snow changes my hiking experiences dramatically in a way that’s hard for me to describe. It transforms the forest and mountain landscapes into these ethereal, almost otherworldly environments that draw me in and give me a deep sense of belonging. There’s a quiet beauty there that I hope everyone gets to experience at least once in their lifetimes.”

“I’ve never had a snow day. Afterall, I grew up in South Florida where you’re more likely to get a week off school following a hurricane. But a snowstorm – pretty unlikely.”

“I sit now, almost 2 months into my service term, having gotten my feet wet with GMCG (literally and figuratively), and even though I find myself far from my family and friends in a world dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic, I am extremely grateful to be where I am, doing what I am doing.”

“‘Alright! Five more seconds, then switch to scuffing with your feet!’ I hollered to the students in the middle of the Cold River.”

“Just like the ocean, just like mountains, I know Squam will be magnificent in every season. The bare brown color of late fall, the white of winter, the gold of spring, and the green of summer. Regardless of where I am, regardless of the amount of change occurring, I can always count on the Granite State to be stunning.”