Lessons Learned in the Barn and Classroom

I have many roles in the Dana Hall community: alum, Middle School math and science teacher, and an equestrian. This allows me to see students through many different lenses, and share experiences alongside them. 

I get to see students on the weekends and afternoons with the horses, and then see them at school, whether it be my own classroom for the middle schoolers, or just at lunch for the high schoolers. I answer math questions from my students in the classroom, and horsemanship questions while at the barn. I am incredibly grateful to be able to share a special passion with so many students, both in my own classroom and the larger Dana Hall community. I see myself in so many students at Dana Hall, from the 6th graders going to their first IEA competition, to seniors competing on a national level. From helping with Middle School horsemanship workshops, to helping students take care of their horses while competing at some of the highest levels, I am fortunate to get to watch students every step of the way. In one particular example, I got to take care of a student’s horse this summer who was being ridden by my 6th grade advisee in my first class as a teacher at Dana Hall. She is now a sophomore! I have gotten to watch her take her first horse around jumps that were 2’ 6”  and mostly straight lines, to technical and complicated courses at 3’ 6”. Throughout it all I witnessed her dedication and love for the sport and horses.

I rode at Dana Hall almost the entire time I was a student, doing the exact same thing that the students today are doing. I remember the balance and dedication it takes to complete all your school work while competing, and I still do it myself with my own work as a teacher. At shows during the school year you can frequently find me grading and writing lesson plans in between events, just as our students do their own studying and homework. Some things have changed, like the use of iPads over pencils and paper, but the need for executive functioning skills, balance, and determination to excel at both disciplines remains the same. 

Many riders, including myself, have a hard time answering the question “Why do you love riding so much?” There are so many reasons, from the bond you get to form with an animal, the physical and mental strength you develop, and the community you get to be a part of. Being around horses teaches you both compassion and grit. It makes the early mornings and long days worth it to reach personal goals, whether that be cantering for the first time, to winning at a major competition. For me and so many students, horseback riding goes far beyond a hobby or a sport, and I am so grateful to be able to do it at Dana Hall.