Hello Ottauquechee School families! My name is Amelia Donahey, and I'm thrilled to join this amazing community. At the heart of my work is a passion for deeper learning and the quest to help people young and old connect with themselves, each other and the natural world.

My journey to Quechee started in college, when I volunteered and worked in a variety of outdoor adventure and childcare programs in New Hampshire and Vermont. The thrill of a child's first peak ascent, the awe in inspired by forest floor intricacies, and the joy of skits around a fire ignited my passion for experiential learning.

From the Upper Valley, I moved to Colorado, where I pursued work as a wilderness instructor alongside a Master's degree in teacher leadership, with a certification in K-12 Special Education, Elementary Education and Science. I was fortunate to teach third grade at a public neighborhood school undergoing a remarkable transformation to become an Expeditionary Learning school in the EL Education network. 

While in Colorado, I met my partner, whose career in forestry soon took us to the Pacific Northwest. We spent three glorious years there, adventuring in the Cascade Mountains. I taught fifth grade in our small, rural district and served as a Washington State Science Teaching Fellow. Soon I became inspired to pursue school leadership. In 2019-20, I completed the University of Washington's Danforth Program and a full-year principal internship. When opportunities arose for both of us to pursue our passions in Vermont -- closer to our family members in Maine -- we jumped at the chance.

As we move forward together through these extraordinary times, I look to all of you - scholars, families, educators and community members - as partners and codesigners of our school's success.

Amelia Donahey
donaheya@hartfordschools.net