Alumni Survey Results

Graduate Education Post-IslandWood

• 85% went on to earn a degree, in some cases more than one
• Over 60% earned a Masters in Education
• Over 10% earned a Masters in Teaching, while 9% earned a Teaching Certificate
• Almost 80% went to the UW to finish their degree
• Over 10% chose to finish their degree at an institution outside of UW

Current Job Alignment with IslandWood pillars:
Environment, Education, and Community

IslandWood was a powerful experience for many graduate students.

Below are comments as to how IslandWood influenced work and life after graduation.

“Developing positive behavior - enabling consequences is another tenet that I continue to draw upon, as this enforces community and cultural sustainability.”

- Mikhail Tatrin ‘06

“I continue to use curriculum and activities within my teaching.  I’ll always draw upon my love for the environment that was developed even further through IslandWood.”    

- Stacy Sandstorm ‘05

“The most lasting way in which my IslandWood experience impacted my life was in the friendships I made with a particular few of my fellow EEC grads.”

- Jenny Todd ‘06

“I learned how to establish rapport over a short period of time with students who may have limited experience being in nature.”    

- Katie Greenland Trelstad ‘06

“Our family dynamic is heavily influenced by the ideas of sustainability and wellness - which have been cultivated from my undergraduate through IslandWood and my graduate work at the University of Washington.”  

- Corey Weathers ‘03

“All aspects of IslandWood have formed my ideas and abilities and brought me a great deal further in my understanding of what I want to do.” 

- Robb Engle ‘04

“As a science specialist at a local Montessori school, I use many skills and pedagogical practices I learned at IslandWood.”                   

- Hilary Benson

“I became a much more competent teacher, and found that I truly LOVED teaching 6th grade - which I never would have considered prior to my IslandWood experience.”  

- Rex Lybrand ‘05

IslandWood Praises

Below are comments expressing positive feedback on the IslandWood experience.

“My time at IslandWood was among the best of my life, and I will always remember the lessons that I taught and learned there. ”

- Katie Frickland ‘08

“I feel confident as an educator, performer, and student and a lot of this is owed to the experience (at IslandWood).  I have made lasting friendships and the experience continues to create new connections and opportunities.”    

- Gina Glowen ‘08

“My experience at IslandWood was so pivotal for my life and who I am today and I have never regretted for a moment my completion of the program.  My experience continues to enrich my life in unexpected ways.”    

- Alexandra Waring ‘03

“I LOVE IslandWood and miss it! Each day when I teach my students I ask myself if I am being true to my teaching philosophy.  Is my teaching experiential? Am I meeting the needs of all my students? When I am the student, I find that I hold my teachers to the same standard.  Be patient.  Learn from your students.  Be flexible.  Use teachable moments.  Be a lifelong learner.  A teacher can say ‘I don’t know, let’s find out together.’”

- Lauren Sherwonit ‘07

“I really appreciated and benefited from mentor relationships at IslandWood and have actively sought out mentors in my life now for advisement in all sorts of areas: work, school, love, etc.  It’s been a fairly critical means of support in my life.”    

- Ruth Hotchkiss ‘08

“The emphasis on community in one’s education and teaching profession is unique to IslandWood.”    

- Avery Hill ‘08