Collette grew up in Cortland in central New York state and then went to college in Burlington, Vermont, which still has a special place in her heart. She holds bachelor’s degrees in biology and Spanish from St. Michael’s college and earned a master’s degree in educational psychology from the University of Colorado Denver. Collette worked as a naturalist and educator at the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES) for three years prior to starting at Aspen Country Day. Teaching Spanish and science were among her first jobs at ACDS.
What makes a student’s experience at ACDS distinctive from other schools?
The connection between teachers and students is very personable. The additional experiences beyond the classroom (skiing, OE trips, play, DC etc.) and walking around this gorgeous campus!
What led you to a career in education?
My foundation as an educator and naturalist at ACES teaching “nature classes” both in the classroom and in the field guided me to where I am now.
Where would you be if you weren’t in Aspen?
Temperate rainforest of British Columbia or Altiplano of Bolivia/Peru
What do you do to turn things around when you’re having a bad day?
Get outside and move! Doesn’t matter if it is hiking, running, riding, swimming – if I am moving outside, it transforms my day
