14-Color
14 Parker Chronicle
September 20, 2013
Teacher team runs 200-mile race Castle Rock group says event links them to outdoor ed students By Jane Reuter
jreuter@ourcoloradonews.com Teachers at Castle Rock’s Renaissance Expeditionary Learning Outward Bound School regularly expose their students to outdoor experiences designed to challenge and enlighten. On Sept. 6 and 7, a dozen of them led by example. The team completed the 200-mile, overnight Ragnar Relay Series from Copper Mountain to Snowmass. The series, held in locations across the country, involves teams of six to 12 who run in shifts. Each participant runs three times at varying distances and terrain. “As teacher and educators, we are walking away with so much more knowledge and understanding for kids, especially as we get ready to send them out on these adventure ed programs,” teacher Lindsey Burris said. “It definitely has given us new eyes to look at our kids through. We were in that vulnerable place they are.” Lauren Gunn, a non-runner when she agreed to be part of the team, agrees. “We walk the path, and try and do the same things (our students) do,” she said.
“Even if we’re not runners, we’re not letting fear stop us.” Students at the K-6 school participate in outdoor education adventures twice a year. Teachers said the overnight odyssey gives them an experience to draw from when asking students to rise to a challenge. “I can say, `I want you to push yourself to the point you are stepping out and taking a risk. It’s OK to fail because you have people around you that will support you,’ ” Burris said. That support from their fellow teachers during the 200-mile run was vital, the participants said. As one teammate ran, the others drove the course in a van looking for their fellow runner, then stopped to cheer that person on. “In the middle of the night, I was getting delusional I was so tired,” Gunn said. “But when you felt like there was nothing left, suddenly you would see your van pulled over and there they were — all cheering.” The support expanded to include teacher Hanni Gilbert, who had to drop out of the race when she suffered a debilitating migraine the morning of the event. Teammates rallied to take her legs of the race, and ran with a T-shirt bearing her name. Students also urged their teachers on toward success before race day. “For me, having those encouraging words and the visualization of their little
Members of Team Renaissance pose at the finish line in Snowmass. From left, Cody Kremer, principal Deborah Lemmer, Julie Vrattos, Lauren Gunn, Amanda Deegan, Lisa Johnson, Lindsey Burris, Debbie Rabideau, Neil Reese, Beth Radeseld and Kenny Harris. Courtesy photo faces just pushed me that extra mile,” Burris said. The experience not only enabled the teachers to relate more intimately to their students’ outdoor challenges, but brought them closer as a teaching team. “People ask, `What place did you finish?
Bring your little pumpkins to the Fall Festival at Schweiger Ranch.
What was our overall time?’ ” said first-year Renaissance teacher Amanda Deegan. “I don’t even know because that wasn’t what it was about. “I feel like I have a family at this school. It’s not just a job. These are people I’ve been through a lot with already.”
Work for the Top Home Care Agency! Now Hiring Experienced Caregivers for Live-In & Hourly Shifts Home Care Assistance is one of the fastest growing home care agencies in the nation and we are seeking experienced and compassionate caregivers to join our team. Top Pay • Flexible Hours • Great Benefits If you are passionate about what you do, apply today and help us change the way the world ages.
720-441-3522
www.CaregiverJobsDouglasCounty.com
Sunday, October 6, 2013 10:00am – 4:00pm
The RidgeGate community and the City of Lone Tree invite you to historical Schweiger Ranch for LINCOLN AVE
PKW Y
IDG E AV
E
VD
SK YR
OW PARK MEAD S BL
RI
DG EG ATE
our annual Fall Festival. There’s something for everyone, including hay wagon rides, a petting zoo, pumpkin patch, crafts booths, fall products
25
vendors, and yummy food. Enjoy live music by RIDGEGATE PKWY S HAVANA S
N
the Paul Glover Trio, and tours of this beautifully restored historic ranch.
T
Schweiger Ranch
East of I-25 and just south of RidgeGate Parkway. Take S. Havana Street to the entrance of Schweiger Ranch.
Photography by Phil Rubino/Lone Tree Photography Club
THE ARC
WON $1,000 YOU YOU COULD COULD TOO! TOO! “...promotes inclusion for people with developmental disabilities through advocacy, education, resources, community-building, policy change, and family support.” Learn more online at:
www.arcjc.org
At Applewood Plumbing Heating & Electric, we give $1,000 every month to a local charity or nonprofit nominated by YOU! We’ve contributed more than $95,000 over the past 9 years with our monthly giveaway, and we’re still at it...making a difference where it matters most, close to home. Nominate your favorite local charity or nonprofit to win at www.ApplewoodFixIt.com.