Résumé
www.lawrenceschuessler.com
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Lecturer School of Medicine: Adventure Program 2018-Current
STANFORD UNIVERSITY
Teach undergraduate and graduate students in class sizes of 15
Coordinate trip logistics, de-issue, debrief, transportation, and manage risk
Grade homework assignments and provide feedback about each students learning goals
Classes taught: Outdoor 10: Rock Climbing, Outdoor 14: Gym to Crag, Outdoor 15: Intermediate Anchors, Outdoor 103: Foundations of Outdoor Education, Outdoor 106: Outdoor Living Skills, Outdoor, Outdoor 105: Winter Camping
Staff Trainer, Course Director, Instructor 2005-Current
OUTWARD BOUND USA
Lead expeditionary wilderness courses in the disciplines of mountaineering, backpacking, canoeing, and climbing for teenage and adult populations
Teach interpersonal skills and technical wilderness skills, including communication, leadership, conflict resolution, Leave No Trace, risk management
Facilitate staff training on technical skills, student management, inclusion and diversity, safety, logistics, and teaching
Resolve conflicts or disputes of a non-violent nature to protect group safety and security
Communicate with injured or sick persons to provide appropriate medical care
Facilitate effective instructor preparation, wilderness expeditions, debriefings, and evaluations
Mitigate risk while maintaining physically/emotionally safe environments for all participants
Locations: Colorado, California, Alabama, Florida
Adjunct Faculty 2023 - 2023
WESTMINSTER COLLEGE
Teach undergraduate students in the Outdoor Education Leadership major
Teaching subjects: outdoor leadership, backcountry living skills, and risk management.
Created and taught The Mindful Leader class
Classes taught: OEL 300 The Mindful Leader, OEL 120 Outdoor Leadership
Instructor Outdoor Education 2022-Current
CHADWICK SCHOOL
Teaching subjects: backcountry living skills, interpersonal communication, map and compass, games, conflict resolution, cooking, rock climbing, natural history, expedition behavior, etc.
Chadwick’s Outdoor Education Program challenges students to develop their leadership and team-building skills amid stunning natural backdrops.
Classes taught: 18-day Senior Trip High Sierras, 8-day Junior Trip High Sierras, 5 Day Joshua Tree backpacking & basecamp
Instructor & Logistician 2009-Current
THE CROSSROADS SCHOOL
Plan, shop, organize, cook, clean, and manage all logistics for basecamp courses
Responsible for planning and implementing curriculum, managing risk, facilitating rock climbing, backpacking, etc. in a variety of outdoor wilderness settings such as Joshua Tree, Morro Bay, The Channel Islands.
Program Supervisor NOLS Southwest 2020-2022
NATIONAL OUTDOOR LEADERSHIP SCHOOL
Supervise and mentor field faculty. Form an important communication link between NOLS administration and field faculty. Manage challenging and complex field and in-town situations pertaining to student, family, and staff issues or concerns.
Supervise NOLS Southwest courses in multiple skill areas (canoeing, backpacking, rock climbing, and caving).
Act as a critical and vital link in communicating NOLS Accepted Field Practices. Promote field and in-town risk management.
Utilize the NOLS Field Instructor Skills in evaluating instructor performance, and make recommendations for instructors' professional development.
Maintain curriculum files, library, and other resource materials.
Provide faculty with clear and concise briefings, and debriefings, and write timely and thorough evaluations.
Share responsibility with the Southwest program team by carrying, answering, and facilitating conversations on the evac phone. Be involved in problem-solving and logistics around evacuations. Make family/emergency contact phone calls related to student behavioral issues and/or evacuations.
Participate in the planning of course routes and logistics schedules. Maintain all course-related paperwork.
Provide clear and thorough recommendations for field faculty promotion or demotion decisions.
Assist with course logistics, outfitting, rationing, meal, and vehicle preparation to contribute to excellent student service
Assistant Director: Outdoor Center 2018-2020
STANFORD UNIVERSITY
Staff Management: Provide guidance and counsel to students and contingent staff on policies, services, and planning for future and current needs
Train, supervise, and coach staff, volunteers, students, and temporary workers, and provide oversight of routine Outdoor Center cleaning chores to guarantee the space is pristine and up to Fire Code safety standards
Community Engagement: Oversee the development of marketing materials and strategies for the Adventure Program, assist in planning and developing services, outreach functions, newsletters, and social media campaigns
Serve as the primary resource for Outdoor Center-related community events such as speaking engagements, club gathers, movie nights, popcorn Fridays, etc.
Store Operations: maintain adequate inventory and documentation to keep the store operating smoothly
Make first-level decisions on issues regarding the operations of the Outdoor Center
Resolve basic issues within the Adventure Programs unit using defined policies, practices, and supervisory knowledge as reference
Advise Program Director of Adventure Programs on new course areas, risk management development, and interpersonal situations
Develop and analyze the review process of offerings, policies, and services related to the rental program and the Outdoor Center
Collect and analyze data to prepare reports on user statistics, membership, and inventory control. Contribute to identifying trends, needs analysis, participate in the implementation and testing of new services
Maintain inventory to ensure access to the general public as well as course offerings
Develop efficiencies for inventory control & space management for equipment
Maintain and diversify library and resource center
Apply for CUA permits with multiple land agencies
Diversity and Inclusion Committee member
Teaching Assistant Summer 2020
UNIVERSITY of CALIFORNIA- LOS ANGELES
Teach the basics of how to meditate to undergraduate and graduate students
Provide support during multiple-day retreats
Facilitate relational mindfulness in small groups of 10
Grade-written weekly journals providing feedback and suggestions to support the students
Associate Program Director- Joshua Tree 2016- 2018
Program Manager-Joshua Tree 2014-2016
OUTWARD BOUND CALIFORNIA
Determine and fulfill program needs, goals and strategy, and outcomes
Create, improvise, and implement course and basecamp systems to grow the Joshua Tree Program
Provide oversight, supervise, mentor, and develop course directors and instructors
Participate in the administration and delivery of all courses, develop curriculum
Ensure that course quality remains true to OBCA mission and educational outcomes
Coordinate and ensure follow-through of the feedback system and implementation of change between the field and program team
Ensure that all Forest Service, National Park, and other land management policies and procedures are known and followed by staff, oversee permit scheduling and campground reservations, renew and revise commercial use agreements with land agencies, and track and submit monthly and yearly use reports to land managers
Conduct both pre-season and end-of-season interviews with staff
Review and revise student materials including packing lists, itineraries, and web content
Oversee and delegate the course planning process for future seasons, have an active voice in the strategic planning of the program
Participate in the incident command and on-call system, ensure accurate and complete incident reporting, and respond to all field emergencies
Ensure accurate and complete incident reporting for all courses, create the content and delivery methods for course safety briefings and support the dissemination of quarterly safety reports
Review and revise local policies and procedures regarding safety
Support on-site students when needed and oversee supervision and coordination of early departures
Develop and execute effective systems to track and coordinate service for staff
Supervise and manage staff housing, including orienting new and returning staff to base camp expectations, participate in basecamp set-up and take-down, and ensure that all facilities are kept in safe and clean condition
Manage basecamp facilities, including prescribed maintenance, and coordinating repairs and upgrades. Ensure all local and state housing and health code requirements are current
Coordinate with local vendors to maintain smooth basecamp operations
Oversee and track specific and relevant line items of the program budget, track and submit bi-weekly payroll reports, manage a budget of $100,000
Wilderness Instructor 2018
THE ATHENIAN SCHOOL
Lead expeditionary wilderness backpacking and rock climbing course
Teach backcountry camp craft, map and compass, interpersonal communication skills, risk awareness, and feedback
Support logistics before and after an expedition
Write a report on each student including feedback, what they did well, and any areas of improvement for the future.
Wilderness Guide Mentor 2013-Current
INWARD BOUND MINDFULNESS EDUCATION
Facilitate 10-day meditation wilderness retreats
Manage risk, logistics, food preparation, wilderness travel, and all wilderness-related activities for the program
Develop, implement, and document mindfulness curriculum
Create an inclusive group culture so all participants feel emotional and physically safe
Adjunct Instructor 2012-2013
UNIVERSITY of CALIFORNIA- SAN FRANCISCO
Lead backpacking and rock climbing courses, lead new student wilderness orientation
Manage risk, wilderness camp craft, community culture, wilderness navigation, and facilitate community building
Teach students backcountry living skills, map, and compass, conflict resolution, interpersonal communication, and how to have fun
Wilderness Instructor 2009-2011
THE EAGLE ROCK SCHOOL and PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CENTER
Lead new students on a 25-day wilderness course, evaluating students’ behaviors and actions on course and giving timely feedback
Advising and managing new students on campus before and after an expedition
Develop curriculum and resources
Managing logistics, expedition prep and post, interfacing with parents and school administrators
Training and managing new staff, managing resupplies, managing in field safety, along with any field emergencies
Course Director 2007-2015
Instructor 2002-2007
PRESCOTT COLLEGE
Lead 22-day Wilderness Orientation in various wilderness areas throughout Arizona.
Teach about Prescott College’s philosophy, a pathway to graduate, group process, expeditionary travel and planning, interpersonal communication skills, wilderness skills
Give growth-oriented feedback, hold students and staff accountable, manage a budget, logistics, and transportation to and from wilderness areas, and lead staff training
EDUCATION
Master of Science - Outdoor Education Sustainable Leadership - Gaia University
Bachelor's of Art - Adventure Education - Prescott College - Prescott, AZ
High School Graduate- General Studies- Mt. Prospect High School- Mt. Prospect, IL
CERTIFICATIONS
Wilderness First Responder - Since 2000
Adult/Child CPR, AED & Airway Management - Since 2000
American Mountain Guide Association Certified Single Pitch Instructor - Since 2012
Level 1 Avalanche Forecasting - Since 2005
2 Stars British Canoe Union- Since 2003
Competent Crew- Royal Yacht Association - Since 2017
NOLS Risk Management Training - 2019
UNIVERSITY TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Adjunct Faculty - Westminster College
Outdoor Education Leadership 300: The Mindful Leader
Outdoor Education Leadership 120: Outdoor Leadership
Lecturer - Stanford University
Outdoor 10: Rock Climbing: The Beginning
Outdoor 14: Rock Climbing: Gym to Crag
Outdoor 15: Rock Climbing: Intermediate Anchors
Outdoor 105: Outdoor Living Skills
Outdoor 106: Outdoor Leadership Practicum
Outdoor 5: Winter Camping
Instructor- University of California: San Francisco
New Student Wilderness Orientation
Adjunct Faculty- Prescott College
Wilderness Orientation: Desert Mountain & Canyon Expedition
COMMITTEES
Inclusion & Diversity Committee- Stanford University
Diversity & Steering Committee- Outward Bound USA
Senior Staff Committee- Outward Bound California
Safety Committee- Girl Ventures
SPECIAL PROJECTS
Co-Creator Senior Staff Committee- Outward Bound California
Co-Creator Inclusive Quote Book- Outward Bound California
Facilitated 1st Emotional Safety Review - Outward Bound California
Facilitated Deep Ecology & Mindfulness Expedition - Outward Bound California
Created Instructor Resource Guide- Outward Bound California
PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS
Compassionate Leadership- All Staff- Outward Bound California - June 2016
Staff Expedition: Deep Ecology & Mindfulness- All Staff - Outward Bound California -May 2016
Mindfulness in Outdoor Education- Gaia University- September 2017
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
Teen Retreat Mentor- Spirit Rock Meditation Center- 2012- Current
Teen Retreat Mentor- Inward Bound Mindfulness Education - 2014-Current