Chris Cain, Lead Teacher

After 12 years of serving students at a challenging public school in Commerce City, Colorado, I have decided to join the more idealistic educational setting of Running River School. In the past I was given autonomy to teach students what I believed served their best interests in learning the visual languages of art and photography while also role modeling and mentoring teenagers the intangible lessons of how ‘to be’ in this world. More recently though I realized I could no longer participate in this quagmire called public education as it continues to be overly obsessed with test scores and accountability, and not with ‘learning’ or students acquiring real world skills.

Over the past ten years I have carefully watched the evolution of Running River School, first as a spouse of a teacher, and now, more recently, as a parent of a student. The environment at Running River is more aligned to a holistic education in which I believe is best for children. In college, I took a job as summer adventure camp counselor and realized the incredible value of teaching, and learning, through nature. It was in nature where I learned the necessity of being aware of the earth, the environment and my abilities to adapt. The most inspiring part of teaching at Running River is that a whole child’s education is developed. Life long skills and qualities including but not limited to diet consciousness and healthful living; fitness, exercise and play: stillness and contemplative thought: creativity and imaginative problem solving: and acquiring and developing ‘hands on’ skills are all fostered as part of the daily curriculum. I believe the most important part of a child’s education results from developing these qualities so that they are confident in their ability to adapt to varied environments and situations in the future and that they become lifelong learners. These are the essential qualities I encourage your children and mine embrace.

Education

AA in Mass Communication
AA in Photography
BFA in Photography
MAT in Teaching the Visual Arts

Certifications

State of Colorado, certified K-12 in Visual Art

Additional Training and Workshops

AP Visual Art
International Baccalaureate for visual arts
Wilderness First Aid

Experience

Boarding School teacher, houseparent and coach for grades 6-12, 1992-94
Outdoor trip leader and director, 1990-2001
High School art and photography teacher, 1998-2010