Persie Baroody

I grew up in Massachusetts and first fell in love with the natural world through running and photography. During a year off between high school and college, I did an Outward Bound Semester in Oregon, where I was introduced to outdoor education and place-based learning—experiences that grounded me in ways I hadn’t felt before.

I went on to study Education at Colorado College in Colorado Springs where I was eager to take advantage of opportunities to learn from and with others. That curiosity led me to a semester abroad in Kathmandu, Nepal where I worked and conducted research in a local school. There, I deepened my understanding of the power of language and place in education. In these places, I fell in love with the access to the outdoors I was fortunate to have and the ways environments could shape learning in my own life. 

Between my junior and senior years, I began working for Colorado Outward Bound School as a wilderness expedition instructor. Over two summer seasons, I’ve witnessed the power of close relationships between community, place, and learning—how they intertwine to create a unique environment for growth, collaboration, and belonging.

In my free time, you can find me playing ultimate frisbee, cooking and sharing meals, swimming in rivers or lakes, or spending time with people I love!