Miles Munding-Becker

Miles Munding-Becker (L09, U13) teaches Chemistry and Marine Science at the Upper Campus, where he developed a deep love for the outdoors as a student. Miles went on to earn an undergraduate degree in Environmental Science from the University of Redlands and recently defended his Master’s thesis in the same subject from Cal Poly Humboldt. He is now taking on a new role with teacher Anna Henning developing land and climate initiatives for the school, and is collaborating with other teachers to promote field studies in other disciplines. He also co-coaches the Surf Team.

Why I teach at OVS

I enjoy taking students into the field to learn about environmental sciences. OVS’s unique location offers a great opportunity to learn about geology, oceanography, hydrology, and restoration.

Career experiences that enhance how and what I teach

During my Master’s, I worked on a project that involved using beaver dam analogues (BDAs) to restore degraded streams and promote Coho spawning and rearing habitat. I try to bring what I learned in my Master’s into the classroom by getting my class out camping or into the field as frequently as possible.

When I’m not in classroom, I can be found Running, surfing, foraging (if it’s wet).

Favorite book and why

Teaming with Microbes: The Organic Gardener’s Guide to the Soil Food Web gives a fun background of the soil food web and how microbes are key in supporting soil health, which is in turn good for our plants and sequestering carbon!