Naomi Barshi

I grew up in an international family that invested in education, not just schooling–an approach I take in my teaching and curriculum development. I have lived, learned, and taught in the US, Canada, and Switzerland, as a course lecturer in college, a high school science teacher, and now a middle school science teacher. My own learning includes master’s degrees in Secondary Science Education and English as a Second Language from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and Earth Science from McGill University. In between my degrees, I collaborated with professors at UW-Madison and Temple University on geoscience education research, communicated science from the research vessel JOIDES Resolution, and tutored with TRiO Upward Bound. My work blends inquiry-based science, ecological literacy, and historical awareness with curiosity, deep knowledge, cultural fluency, enthusiasm, and love.

Part of my international family lives in Switzerland, where I spent many summers learning and hiking. I remember my grandmother pointing out medicinal herbs and my mother calling out the names of birds as we heard their song. I’m excited to bring my unique and local perspective to this alpine program. A former student of Lisé’s, I’m honored to join as a fellow educator and co-designer of this learning experience.