Hi, I’m Diana, a Dual Language Teacher in second grade at North Harnett Primary School in Harnett County. I’m incredibly excited to participate in the upcoming Yellowstone Institute: Educators of Excellence! As the trip draws near, I’ve been diligently preparing both physically and mentally for what I anticipate will be a life-changing experience. My luggage is nearly packed, with about 90% of the essentials organized, ensuring I’ll have everything I need. This preparation included carefully considering the varied weather conditions and packing appropriate garments and elements.

Beyond the logistical aspects of packing, a significant part of my preparation has focused on physical readiness. This involved not only dedicated strength and endurance training at the gym but also rigorous hiking challenges. One of the most demanding trails in North Carolina, The Grandfather Trail, served as my ultimate test. While it was undeniably challenging, I never found it impossible, and it was 100% fun! This experience has solidified my confidence. Am I ready for Yellowstone? Absolutely. I’m eager to embark on this adventure and bring back invaluable insights to my students.

Members of our Yellowstone Team have been sharing updates with the group about how they’ve been getting ready for our upcoming adventure in Yellowstone. Whether it’s hitting the trail or learning more about our first national park, we’re all getting excited for the upcoming adventure! Here’s how a few more folks have been preparing…

Fred: I’ve been getting ready by learning as much as I can about Yellowstone through books and podcasts, in particular the geology of the area. As my school year winds down, I’m excited to disconnect from many of life’s current stressors and immerse myself in the landscape with other passionate NC educators.

Misty: I have been reading about Yellowstone and watching documentaries, all of which is increasing my excitement for the adventure! I’m so ready to learn, experience new things, and get out of my comfort zone. Here is a picture of my hiking training along with the best motivation coaches around… hahah.

Paige: I’ve been getting some hikes in, listening to podcasts, and figuring out my gear. I am lucky to be friends with a teacher who went last year, Jessica Pichan, and she and I have had dinner dates to chat about her experience and how I can prepare. She said: “Follow the packing list, don’t forget your rain gear, and don’t get excited about the food.”

Michelle: I have been preparing for Yellowstone by trying to wean myself off of caffeine and Sun Drop. The thing I am most anxious about is the flying, so I have been talking to lots of different people about their experiences. The only thing they all agree on is to take chewing gum. I have also been hiking Raven Rock frequently (the stairs are good cardio exercise).

Jen: I have been hitting the gym and chatting with educators who have been on the trip!

Wendi: I made it to western NC for a little mountain air, and keep thinking about how the “wide open expanses as far as the eye can see” (as we were told) will compare to our NC views and climbs! I’m also reading about wolves, coyotes, and more about the trophic cascade.

Heather: I am really looking forward to our adventure in just over two weeks. Since our group met for orientation in March, I have visited the NC Mountains for some R&R and exploring the wonders of nature. One of my favorite pictures I captured was the sunrise before heading out to explore, I am looking forward to seeing the sunrise at Yellowstone and the other spectacular things it has to offer. I thought I knew a lot about the white pelican, but have enjoyed researching more and look forward to sharing my “expert topic.”

Ashley: I’ve been getting ready for the Yellowstone adventure by doing some backpacking with my child(ren) on local trails with inclines to help build stamina for the terrain we’ll encounter. It’s been a great way to prepare physically for the trip! I’ve also been watching a few Yellowstone documentaries to learn more about the park’s unique ecosystems and wildlife—every geyser and wildlife sighting in the footage just makes me more eager to experience it all in person.

Our trip begins on June 18. Follow our blog to as we post daily (as cell service allows) about our adventures in Yellowstone!