Despite the long title, the idea is simple – weave relevant, real-world opportunities in the form of entrepreneurship experiences, community-based internships, and student-initiated projects into the fabric of the MVSD’s pathways toward high school graduation and beyond. As stated by MVSD board member, Gary Marchbank stated, “This is where education rubs elbows with the real world.”
John Lindsey hails from northeast Texas where he spent his childhood plying the woods and waters for critters both large and small. His love of nature led him to pursue a Bachelors of Science at Stephen F. Austin State University and a Masters of Science at Texas State University. His career as a research biologist has taken him from the swamps of East Texas to remote archipelagos in the North Atlantic’s Bay of Fundy. He first came to the Methow Valley in the spring of 2002 as a seasonal biologist with US Forest Service where he and his team collected ecological data to better understand the effects of prescribed burning. John moved to the Methow Valley permanently in the fall of 2013.
John discovered his love for teaching early in his career and has made sharing information a part of every pursuit in life. Shortly after moving to the Methow, John started Sweetgrass Restoration, a vegetation management business focused on promoting native plant diversity, where teaching is foundational to success. The seasonal nature of his small business provided John with the opportunity to pursue substitute teaching positions with the Methow Valley School District. In October of 2020, John accepted a long-term substitute position at Liberty Bell High School where he demonstrated his love for teaching and his capacity to effectively communicate with students and staff. This, in turn, led him to apply for and eventually accept the Entrepreneurship, Internship, and Independent Study Coordinator position at Liberty Bell.
In his spare time he and his wife Stacey enjoy fishing, hiking, bird watching, flower sniffing (aka botanizing), or any other excuse to engage the natural world. John also enjoys rock climbing, traditional archery, photography, and playing guitar. John has been a volunteer firefighter for Okanogan County Fire District 6 since 2015.
Please join us as we welcome John Lindsey!