Amelia Eshleman has lived and worked in New Mexico for 10 years. Her current role as a 6th through 8th grade teacher at Roots & Wings has been cultivated by the desire to meet the individual needs of her students and her passion for the outdoors.
Originally from Pennsylvania, Eshleman was unsure of her career path upon high school graduation. “I always loved school and thought maybe I’d be a professor someday.” Her love of academics was proven when she graduated from College of the Atlantic in 2011 with a BA in human ecology and from Hunter College-CUNY (The City University of New York) in 2013 with a MA in special education.
“I had an advisor in college who said that I’d make a good public school teacher and I learned about the ‘Teach for America’ program from a friend. After applying to the program I was accepted and got placed as a teacher in New York City.” That school was a traditional public school and that’s where her love of working with children was realized. At one point, Eshleman decided that it was time for a change, that she wanted to work outside the public school system and within a school that incorporated the outdoors, with a more hands-on approach, and more focused time with students.
After two years in New York City, Eshleman learned about the Expeditionary Learning Program which incorporates the outdoors. Specifically, in these schools, students learn by being part of “learning expeditions” rather than sitting in a classroom being taught one subject at a time. Eshleman applied for a position through the program and was placed in Queens, NY. She found it to be a natural fit. “It was still a public school, but there was so much creativity on how to reach the students’ needs.” Eshleman stayed in Queens for a year and grew to love the school and staff but knew she wanted to live in a place where the outdoors was more accessible.
After a short stint in Maine, Eshleman took a trip to New Mexico with her mother to look for job opportunities and came across the expeditionary-inspired Roots & Wings Community School in Lama. “Most expeditionary schools offer outdoor trips once a year but I wanted to be part of a program where more outdoor trips were offered. I saw the benefit it brought to kids when they were pushed outside their comfort zones. I also knew I wanted to be part of a school where the opportunity to enroll was available to anyone.” Roots & Wings was unique and offered more opportunity for outdoor excursions for their kindergarten through 8th-grade students than once a year. Not only did this intrigue Eshleman, it was just what she had been looking for. In 2015 Eshleman was hired as their middle school teacher and she hasn’t looked back since.
Upon moving to New Mexico, Eshleman loved the area. “I loved that I could snowshoe to work and with winter being my favorite season I was able to take advantage of skiing and other winter recreation.” Eshleman grew up recreating with her family often and described her parents as avid campers. She recalled the many times the family vehicle was loaded up for days-long camping trips which, over time, made a huge impact on her life, hobbies, and eventually her career.
When asked what she loved most about teaching, Eshleman first described the supportive staff at Roots & Wings, which includes close friends who are in some ways an extension of her family back east. When describing teaching 6th to 8th grade students, Eshleman said that the cohort of students is a diverse group of kids that are with her for three years. Her favorite part is being able to meet the kids where they’re at academically and offer them the one-on-one teaching that they thrive on, as well as being outdoors. The outdoor trips are one of her favorite aspects of teaching and she has seen the huge benefit kids get from the combination of outdoor and indoor classroom time. “If the weather is nice we can have the lesson outside. We have the freedom to adjust to the individual needs of the student.”
The environment, work atmosphere, and outdoor opportunities are not the only thing Eshleman fell in love with in New Mexico. Eshleman married her husband, Tyler, in 2019 and he recently started working with Roots & Wings as their outdoor coordinator.
Something unique about Eshlemen is that she loves making elaborate cakes for her friends and family. She described the wedding cake she made for her own wedding, which immediately gave me hunger pangs! Recently she made a cake for the 40th anniversary of the Latir Fire Department, an organization she volunteers with.
As an educator, Eshleman is ultimately there for the kids. In addition to having fun while teaching, she says, “The connections I make with students is really important to me. I also enjoy working with the families of my students to help them figure out the next steps as they enter high school.”
