Ryan is originally from Winchester, Massachusetts, a small suburb of Boston. After accumulating years of outdoor recreational experience through summer camps, personal adventures, and the National Outdoor Leadership School, Mr. Anderson realized he had a passion for experiential and outdoor education and wanted to incorporate them together in the classroom. This led him to attend Prescott College in Prescott Arizona. There he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Secondary Education with a focus on Geology and Environmental Science.
Anderson is an avid outdoorsman and energetic educator. He uses his extensive experience in the field of adventure and experiential education to encourage students to apply their knowledge in order to better understand the fields of earth and environmental sciences. Anderson is also the Head Coach for the Boys’ Soccer Team and assists the Snowsports program at Wasatch Academy.
Mr. Anderson shares with us his passion for Wasatch Academy students and the difference he hopes to make in their lives.
“I’m from a suburb of Boston called Winchester. When I graduated from Winchester High School, I didn’t take a traditional path to college. I spent 3 years working and living in Boston before I decided to move to Colorado and attend Colorado Mountain College (CMC). At CMC I got my Associate Degree in Outdoor Recreation Leadership, basically outdoor education. I then spent 3 years living in the mountains of Colorado ski bumming and working for a guiding company where I guided rock climbing and ice climbing. In 2011, I moved to Arizona and went back to school where I studied Education and Environmental Science at Prescott College (Dr. Brederson was one of my professors). I taught middle school Earth and Space Science in Arizona for 3 years. Now I’m at Wasatch Academy and I love it.
I love teaching anything related to earth science, which includes geology, ecology, and astronomy. Biology is fun too. I like teaching earth sciences because I connect with the outdoors and find the natural world fascinating.
I enjoy many things about Wasatch Academy. The kids are incredible. My favorite part about teaching has always been connecting with students, and here it is so much fun developing these strong meaningful relationships with students that you just don’t get from teaching in a public school. From the classroom, to the bike trails, from the ski slopes, to the soccer field, and all in between, I enjoy teaching students about science, athletics, but mostly just how to be good people. Another part about teaching at Wasatch Academy is the incredible community the school offers. Faculty and staff are very welcoming, supportive, hard working, and all around fun to work with.
While I do hope that students take away an appreciation of the natural world, our environment, and the amazing science that is happening all around them all the time, the main takeaways I hope students gain from my classes are how to treat others with respect and dignity, how to communicate effectively with others, how to work hard and overcome obstacles, and how to think critically and solve problems. While I don’t feel like I can change the world, I hope that I inspire students to want to change the world.
While teaching is very rewarding and fun, coaching is also that, but is also an opportunity to connect with students on another level. During the spring, my favorite part of every day is stepping out on that field with those boys and having fun playing soccer.
I’m looking forward a great soccer season. This will be my first year as the head coach at Wasatch Academy and I already see great things from the boys. There has been this vibrant energy from the beginning of the year and I can’t wait to see that actually come out on the field. The boys have been playing on the quad since the first days of school, and now it is time for them to really put it all out there. One of the most beautiful things about coaching soccer at Wasatch Academy is having players from all over the world learn to work together for a common goal and objective. It doesn’t matter what language you speak, soccer is a common language. It doesn’t matter where you’re from, because soccer unites us. It doesn’t matter how much experience you have, because everyone grows and learns through playing soccer together.
I’m inspired by my parents for all their hard work and dedication over the years. I’m inspired by world-class mountaineers like Reinhold Messner and Conrad Anker, for their willpower, resolve, and perseverance. I’m inspired by my 8th grade geology teacher Mr. Gene Bouley for helping me fall in love with geology at a young age. I’m inspired by my college professors Kent Clement, Gret Antilla, and Kurt Refsnider for always showing me the way.
I love almost all sports, but in my older age, I spend my personal time rock climbing, mountain biking, or snowboarding. I love live music and try to see several concerts throughout the year. I love sushi and Thai food. Always enjoy a good movie as well.”