Todd Shuster

1842 Governor Rd.

Bellingham, WA 98229

360-733-6028

 

 

Resume

 

 

Water-based outdoor experiential education has been the primary focus of my professional life.  For 19 years I have taught people aged 7 to 85 how to sail, sea kayak, and windsurf.  Along with the technical aspects of those activities, I teach seamanship and nurture self-confidence and respect for the environment in my students.  I also have extensive experience in management and maintenance of boating facilities, curriculum development, and instructor training. 

 

WORK HISTORY

 

2003-                       Gato Verde Adventure Sailing School LLC Owner/Operator

                              Founder, owner, and operator of sailing education school & charters based aboard the ‘42 sailing catamaran Gato Verde.

 

2002-                       USSailing Instructor Trainer

Traveled around the country training Small boat instructors to the standardized national curriculum for USSailing

 

 

2001                       Director, Waukegan Yacht Club Youth Foundation

Managed, trained instructors, and developed curriculum for summer youth (9-17) sail program.

 

1997-                      Instructor/Course leader/Instructor Trainer, National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS)

                              Teach leadership using the mediums of sailing, navigation, environmental education and outdoor living.  Each self supported expedition is 3-4 weeks long and travels in a fleet of 3-5 21’ long open boats along the extremely remote and challenging east coast of the Baja Peninsula in Mexico with 12-18 students aged 17-50 (average age 22).  I am also involved in training instructors and curriculum development.

 

1994-1999               Head Recreation Supervisor/Sailing, Windsurfing, Sea Kayaking Instructor/Maintenance; University of California at Berkeley Aquatic Center (Cal Adventures)

Teaching, rescue, maintenance, management, curriculum development, and  instructor training at a busy university aquatic center with a large scale summer youth (age 9-15) program.

 

1992-1995                Commercial and Sport fishing boat deckhand

Worked seasonally in Alaska fishing for Halibut, Salmon & Herring

 

1989                       Head Windsurfing Instructor/Waterfront Maintenance, Camp Kamaji

Improved my teaching style by teaching 7-14 year old girls how to windsurf.

 

1986-1990               Harbor Master/Sailing Instructor, Glencoe Park District

Summers.   Taught sailing to children and adults.  Core member of  rescue team

 

 

 

 

EDUCATION

 

1984-1988               High School Diploma, New Trier High School

 

1988-1992               BS in “Human Development and Social Relations” with a focus in outdoor experiential  education and adventure therapy,  Earlham College.

 

1995                        Kayaking Instructor Course, National Outdoor Leadership School

 

2001                       Certified USSailing small boat sailing instructor

 

2001                       Earned USCG 50 Ton license with aux. Sail and towing certification

 

2002                        Certified USSailing small boat sailing instructor trainer

 

                              Current Wilderness First Responder & CPR certifications