Mike is a longtime educator and Roaring Fork Valley resident who became Aspen Country Day School’s lead outdoor educator in 2022. He brings tremendous depth as an educator, both in the classroom and in the field. In addition to his work at ACDS, Mike has owned and managed Glenwood Climbing Guides, since 2011. He has also taught high school social studies, served as adjunct faculty with Colorado Mountain College in their Outdoor Education Department, and instructs wilderness medicine courses with Desert Mountain Medicine.
Favorite Aspen Country Day School tradition?
The Outdoor Ed trips are amazing and I’m continually blown away by the commitment to the program and the long history. On campus, I love ice skating on the ponds, Blue Green Days, and more!
What is something we don’t know about you?
I grew up on a classic Midwest farm. But maybe you knew that. I was an extra in a movie with Richard Gere and was in a closeup scene. When it came out in the theaters all my classmates said, “Your head was huge!” I set a world record for vertical feet snowboarded in 24 hours under human power, climbing 36,048′ at the 24 Hours of Sunlight. I grew up riding dirt bikes and I didn’t want to go to college but my parents made me. I wanted to be a motorcycle mechanic. I built a car and competed in a demolition derby at my hometown county fair.
One thing you’re super proud of?
I’ve always tried to continue learning and growing in life whether it’s trying to be a better person and dad or trying to stay fit, get fit and be in good health. I’ve never wanted to be stagnant and I’ve always tried to be open to growth and doing the right thing for me and for others.
Favorite place in the world?
Being here, right now, present in the moment.
Who is the most interesting person you’ve ever met?
My kids, they’re amazing! Erik Weihenmayer, the first blind person to climb Mount Everest, is also really cool.
Best advice you’ve ever received?
My dad told me to go live in the mountains because that’s where I wanted to be. Don’t take a job somewhere else where I’d have to travel all the time to be where I wanted to be. It helped me see that it was okay to live where I wanted to vacation, which became my life goal.
