Ira Christian

ira@manzanitaschool.org

Ira acts as the Director of Outdoor Studies and is a co-naturalist for Manzanita’s High School. His love for learning and the natural world was kindled at an early age. He embarked on a series of experiential learning opportunities around the world, with his travels taking him to the wilds of the North Cascade Mountains, where he participated in a six-month Stone Age living intensive; to Belfast, Northern Ireland, where he apprenticed a theater artist who facilitated healing across sectarian divides; to Indiana, where he studied banjo-building; and to his family’s property in Northern California, where he both planted and tends an apple orchard. Through his travels, Ira's interest in alternative models of teaching and learning led him to opportunities to work mentoring youth in earth skills and nature connection with an array of outdoor schools and youth organizations. Ira loves the deep feeling of community connection that emerges through expeditionary travel and long-term mentoring relationships at Manzanita, as well as being able to foster a love for the earth, curiosity for life, and expressive creativity in our student body, staff, and extended community. Outside school hours, Ira is an artist and songwriter who loves to garden, surf, make jewelry and other crafts, and spend time with his family and friends in wild places.

Educational Background: Ira holds a BA in Political Theory from the University of California. Santa Cruz, with a final thesis focused on non-hierarchical educational models. His experience with Lynx Vilden's six-month "Neolithic Living Project" can be seen in the documentary film Living Wild. Additionally, he has completed extensive training in nature connection mentoring with Jon Young.

Joined: 2016 (Year Three)