Meet Elyse Terrill, our wonderful Spanish teacher! Since 2022, Elyse has been making Spanish classes a highlight of so many students’ academic experiences during their OA semesters. As one recent student put it “Elyse is the best Spanish teacher I’ve ever had. She’s actually made me want to learn the language. Before, I dreaded Spanish class. Now, I’m excited to go to Spanish class and I actually want to learn.”

Last month, Elyse sat down with OA Admissions Counselor Mia to share some of her insight into what it’s like to teach at The Outdoor Academy. Read on for a transcript of their fun conversation.

 

Mia: What drew you to want to work at The Outdoor Academy?

Elyse: I was in Mexico and had been living there for four years, and I was ready for something new. My mom was online one night and found the OA Spanish Teacher job application. And she sent it to me, and said it seemed kind of cool, and it’s not too far from home. I was like “I don’t know, maybe I’ll just open the email,” and then I read the description of the Spanish teacher, and I was like “Wait, what!?” There’s craft, and there’s camping, and you live on campus, and everything in the description felt amazing. So I applied that night, on my phone, because I thought “this is amazing, what if someone else gets the job? I gotta apply now!” It felt so aligned with the school I was at in Mexico already. [OA] was alternative education, focused on ecology, science, the outdoors, recycling systems… It seemed like a good transition, and a step up in my career.

 

Mia: What’s your favorite thing to do with your Spanish classes?

Elyse: In my first semesters, I realized how fun it is to do things outside. So we always started the class with a stretching, grounding activity outside to learn the Spanish words for the movements. So, you move your body, you learn the words, plus you’re outside, and it’s not just sitting down, writing grammar.

 

Mia: What feels different about teaching at OA versus other schools or teaching settings?

Elyse: Being around people who are doing things I’m interested in. I like talking about plants, nerding out, and going on walks. So that’s been really empowering. Here I’m not just a Spanish teacher, I’ve learned a lot more about other things.

 

Mia: Do you have a favorite OA cornerstone (Intellect, Craft, Environment, Community)?

Elyse: At OA, definitely Craft. I think it’s the one of the four that’s most impressive, that’s most unique. Meeting [OA’s Founding Director] Ted and being a part of his blacksmithing class my first semester was just so different and so unique. It’s a real skill we can build. And Giving Day has always been one of the best parts of my semesters, because I have to sit down and work on something with my hands. I like being creative, but this Craft cornerstone really forces it to become a part of who you are and what you do. And everyone here is so talented in so many ways. It’s inspiring.

 

Mia: Do you have a life motto?

Elyse: Live things day by day and be who you are in that moment.

 

Mia: You’ve mentioned learning more about “Type 2 fun” (when an experience is difficult while it’s happening, but fun afterwards) while at OA. Can you share an example of that? 

Elyse: In general, it’s the treks I’ve gone on at OA. Any time I go on a trek with the students, I’m cold and uncomfortable and tired. But I remember when I got back from my first trek, a colleague said: “Elyse, you are beaming and bouncing off the wall.” And I was like: “I know! I totally feel like myself, finally.” Being outside in the woods for five days is hard in the moment, but afterwards I’m always like “that was the best thing I’ve ever done.” Treks are always challenging, but then I look back on it and I’m like, “I’m so strong, I’m so capable, look at all those treks I went on, those mountains I climbed.”