Administration
Gennifre Hartman: Executive Director/Principal
Jim Hammer: Vice-Principal
Jennifer Royall: Program Director
Whitney Lonsdale: Associate Program Director
Gennifre Hartman: Executive Director/ Principal
Base Camp: Bozeman, Montana
Spring Semester, South America 2003, 2004, 2007, 2010
Spring Semester, Mexico and Central America 2009
Fall Semester, Africa 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009
Fall Semester, New Zealand 2005
Women’s Trip, Peru 2004
Fundraising Trip, New Zealand 2006
As a high school student, Gennifre once found her own life transformed by an academic year overseas. She has since devoted her life to academic teaching and introducing youth to the adventures of outdoor skills and foreign travel. She holds a Master’s degree in English Education from the University of Montana, and a BA in Journalism from the University of Oregon, in addition to her professional experience in traditional academic fields and as an outdoor educator.
Gennifre has worked as an adjunct college professor, a high school Principal, as an Associate Head of School for a Cultural Studies/ Outdoor Adventure program, and as an English Department Head, in addition to traditional teaching in a high school environment. Gennifre has extensive experience with curriculum design, leading international expeditions, wilderness guiding, student mentoring, academic advising and professional teaching experience at high school and college levels.
Fluent in several languages, she has traveled extensively around the world and has visited more foreign countries than US states. She has led high school student trips to numerous countries throughout southern Africa, Southeast Asia, South America, and New Zealand. Gennifre has made cultural awareness and responsibility a key aspect in her life. She believes that travel is an essential component to a solid education, and when travel is combined with traditional academic studies, outdoor skills, and fun, there is no limit on what girls can learn and achieve.
In addition to running international programs in the field, she is experienced in backpacking, mountaineering, rock climbing, skiing, scuba diving, whitewater rafting, mountain biking, caving, and telling stories. She shares her passion for education and travel with her husband, Taylor, and their son, Zane. Gennifre recently received the 2007 Steinlein Shapard Secondary School Teacher Award at Randolph College awarded to an outstanding teacher who has had a significant impact on the life of a Randolph College student.
Jim Hammer: Vice-Principal
Base Camp: Bozeman, Montana
Visited Spring Semester, South America 2005, 2007
Before moving to Bozeman, Jim worked as a College Counselor and academic teacher at Lake Forest Academy in Lake Forest, Illinois. Jim has over 30 years experience working in various fields of education including academic teaching in social studies and history, leading international student trips abroad, athletic coaching, and college counseling.
As Vice Principal, Hammer works with students and parents to prepare families for a semester abroad. Through his education and work experience, Jim brings sound business knowledge, as well as strong organizational and administrative skills to The Traveling School. He is enthusiastic about his transition into a non-profit organization and contributes toward the business and academic foundation essential for the success of our school.
Living in a cabin at the foot of Bridger Mountains in his dream house with his wife of 35 years, Jim shares a love for family and a passion for the outdoors, Jim enjoys everything that Bozeman has to offer – including hiking and fly-fishing. He fosters his creative side through his passion for coaching and sports, coaching students in soccer, ice hockey, basketball and tennis. Jim lead student trips abroad to South Africa, and has also traveled extensively for personal trips. His passion for travel and his strong educational skills complement his work at The Traveling School. He plans and manages student academics and credit, educational programs, and school affiliations.
Jennifer Royall: Program Coordinator
Base Camp: Bozeman, Montana
Fall Semester, Africa 2003
Spring Semester, South America 2004
Fundraising Trip, Peru 2008, 2010
Fundraising Trip, Africa 2008, 2009
Fundraising Trip, Guatemala 2009
Jennifer Royall is a Nationally Certified educator who spent 15 years working for the Bozeman School District. She earned a Master’s degree in education at Lesley College in addition to her BA in Political Science from Duke University.
Jennifer first taught at the Chadwick School in Palos Verdes, CA and learned the importance of incorporating outdoor education and community service with a rigorous academic curriculum. While teaching 8th and 10th grade history, Jennifer also drove students twice a week into Los Angeles to participate in community service projects in schools and soup kitchens. She took part in numerous week-long and weekend outdoor education trips to develop students' wilderness ethics and recreation skills.
As a middle school teacher in Bozeman, MT, she endeavored to broaden traditional classroom instruction by infusing Montana’s natural resources and its people into her classroom. With various colleagues, Jennifer helped organize a Montana Writer’s Symposium and an extensive community service projects involving elementary schools, area senior centers, and local trails. In 2001, Jennifer received recognition for her efforts with a Milken National Educator Award.
In the off season from teaching, Jennifer has guided biking, hiking, sea kayaking, and horse packing trips throughout the Rocky Mountain West, as well as in New Zealand, Tahiti, and Mongolia. Being weekend warriors and fun hog adventurers, she and her husband have also traveled extensively searching for suitably exciting whitewater for kayaking, the perfect waves to surf in Mexico and Central America, great ski spots all over the West, and remote waters for sea kayaking in Alaska.
Jennifer has successfully run semesters in both Africa and South America, and students have fallen in love with her enjoyment of teaching and the world. Jennifer believes that students learn best when the material is relevant and accessible. The power of truly experiencing another culture can broaden personal points of view, enrich global understanding, and transform lives.
Whitney Lonsdale: Associate Program Director
Base Camp: Hendersonville, North Carolina
Interim Executive Director Fall 2007
Women’s Trip, Peru 2004, Africa 2007
Fundraising Trip, New Zealand 2006
Bilingual in Spanish with a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish and Religious Studies from the University of Virginia, Whitney’s perspective on the world changed when she spent a year studying in Spain during college. She has since dedicated herself to teaching and working with students in outdoor and international education.
Her professional experience includes working as a high school Principal, as an Associate Head of School, as the Head of the Spanish Department, and helping to create and run an alternative private high school in Vermont. Whitney has worked with curriculum development, academic advising, student mentoring, and classroom teaching. She has experience working with at-risk youth wilderness programs. Whitney has traveled extensively and has led international and outdoor programs for students in South America, New Zealand, Central America, Europe, Nepal and China. Starting in 2000, she has worked as a Program Director and teacher for World Class Kayak Academy, an international college-preparatory high school with a focus on competitive whitewater kayaking.
Whitney is also one of the world’s top female whitewater kayakers, and placed fifth in the World Freestyle Kayaking Championships in 2001. Whitney is dedicated to providing students with the same opportunities that have enriched her own life: skill in the outdoors, education, and exhilarating travel experiences.