the pioneer project
B.A. Education; B.S. Evolutionary Biology, Evergreen State College
Adam comes to the project with a wealth of experience in the Gap Year field and as an educator of diverse people for more than 8 years. Adam started his journey in North Carolina’s Piedmont, where he led a fairly typical life until high school graduation. During his fateful senior year, an older friend of his inspired him to embark on a year of service in lieu of college. Adam’s Gap Year odyssey commenced as he spent the next two years volunteering and working in education and conservation in several international and stateside locales. During this journey, Adam found immense clarity and inspiration for his path that have guided his actions ever since. His parents noted this change in him and were compelled to empower other students to take the “road less traveled” by writing The Gap Year Advantage, for which Adam was a contributing author. His discovery of a nascent enthusiasm for the outdoors and experiential learning led him to one of the country’s most progressive and alternative colleges, Evergreen, in Olympia, WA. There, he was exposed to an entirely new project-based, non-competitive form of education while he focused on evolutionary biology, animal behavior, and progressive education theory.
Since graduating, Adam has continued teaching and guiding as an Overseas Educator and administrator for Carpe Diem Education, a Community Educator for Community Energy Project in Portland, OR, and an Instructor at North Carolina Outward Bound School. Having settled in the magical Appalachians after a journey that has spanned 9 years and 18 countries, Adam and his partner, Allison are excited to realize their dream of the Pioneer Project. Through this endeavor, he aspires to facilitate the kind of formative experiences he underwent in his own journey, for the next generation.
Staff
B.A. Cultural Studies; B.S. Ecology, Evergreen State College
Certificate in Environmental Protection Technology, Kwantlen Polytechnic College
Allison brings with her a decade of experience teaching in a diverse array of settings to people of all ages. She initially followed the traditional path of going to college right out of high school where she grew up in Canada. Though she graduated from an Environmental Technology Program that prepared her to be an environmental consultant, she opted for working in the field of education. Through her work at a recycling center in British Columbia, Allison came to believe that teaching people positive behavior was more effective than correcting environmental problems later with technology. After her experience at the recycling center, she served as an educator with many interesting organizations in the regional parks, non-profits, and outdoor schools.
After seven years of teaching, she felt called to pursue further education at Evergreen State College. This time, she found a college that offered an interdisciplinary path where she was able to explore many interests and travel often, in a non-competitive and supportive learning community. While at Evergreen, Allison became interested in how people use things from their environment to create functional and beautiful crafts, so she set off to study the relationship between craft, environment and culture. This interest led her to the Appalachian Mountains as well as the highlands of Peru, where she immersed herself in the crafting cultures of the region.
Adam Haigler
Co-Founder; Executive Director
Allison Haigler
Co-Founder; Director of Craft & Homesteading
Allison’s curiosity about craft stemmed from a desire to know how to make everything in order to be self-reliant. This desire shifted from wanting to check newly learned skills off a list, towards living them, thereby preserving and promoting precious cultural wisdom. She discovered that homesteading was a lifestyle that would enable her to apply her craftiness en route to self-reliance. This realization led Allison to volunteer, intern, and work on homesteads and farms in France, New Zealand, Oregon, and North Carolina with animals, food and herb gardens.
Most recently, Allison led four semester-long international trips with Carpe Diem Education and became very excited about working with Gap Year students who were at the all-important transition to adulthood. These trips solidified her desire to work with this age group at The Pioneer Project. Now, back in her beloved Appalachian Mountains, Allison has seen many models of education, craft, and homesteading and is ready to weave her experience into the fabric of The Pioneer Project. She is excited to apply these models to enable others to learn by seeing, doing, and living.
Jackie Fleming
Associate Director
B.A. Sociology & Education, Bryn Mawr College
Jackie began her work as an outdoor professional at the age of 18, and has been dedicated ever since to education through exploration. After growing up in Newton, MA and moving to college outside of Philly, Jackie was eager to pursue adventure. She traveled to Oregon for her first summer of college to be trained
as a whitewater rafting guide. There she fell in love with working in the outdoors and she spent all her college summers guiding whitewater rafting trips throughout Oregon. After college, Jackie moved to the west coast for year-round work and play in the outdoors and has spent the past five years in a variety of
roles and locations working as an outdoor educator. Jackie has spent three winters as a PSIA-certified ski instructor at Mammoth Mountain, 10 seasons directing and instructing outdoor education programs all over California, and has traveled extensively in Central America, India and Southeast Asia. She is also a Wilderness First Responder and a Swiftwater Rescue Technician.
In her desire to develop skills for sustainable living, Jackie lived with an intentional community in New Mexico studying permaculture design and serving as a volunteer. She also volunteered with a sustainable community in Nicaragua working on natural building projects. These experiences solidified a desire to continue learning how to live skillfully and sustainably.
In joining The Pioneer Project, Jackie is thrilled for the opportunity to co-create meaningful learning experiences with students and to delve deeper into discovering and stewarding the natural world.
"I found Jackie's compassion for students in life made it easier to learn the "soft skills." Her example in good communication skills is great to follow and validates the lessons she tries to teach us. Having Jackie around...has given the students a sense of comfort, safety and security while on the program. Jackie's balance at pushing towards growth and compassion with willingness to listen has been extremely helpful in building trust."
- Lian, Student in 2013
“Adam and Allison are dynamic teachers and two of my most influential role-models. With their vast knowledge on the practicalities of conscious and sustainable living, they taught me to reflect critically and change aspects of my life that do not sit well. They inspired me to live mindfully and be patient with myself. Adam and Allison led me as a peer, and through their inherent respect, a rich friendship prospers. I treasure their wise lessons and feel eased by the knowledge that they continue to teach, guide, and enlighten others. The world needs more like them."
- Whitney, Student in 2010
Our staff is comprised of skilled experiential educators with 20+ years combined experience in the field. They are deeply committed to helping each student reach their potential and pursue their dreams while maintaining a safe emotional and physical environment for students to push their comfort zones.
B.A. English, Marquette University
Bonnie grew up hanging out with dairy cattle amidst the corn fields of Michigan. She attended Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she developed a love for fried cheese curds and peace and justice studies.
After college, Bonnie's journey took her to the Pacific Northwest as a participant in a post-graduate service program committed to the values of Social and Ecological Justice, Community, Simple Living, and Spirituality. She then spent several years on staff for the program, providing programming, mentorship, and support for those engaging in their own year of service while living in intentional community.
Bonnie eventually found her way to Brasstown and the John C. Campbell Folk School, where she became immersed in music, craft, and dance. She's delighted to be able to remain in this beautiful community as part of the Pioneer Project! Bonnie is passionate about the joys and challenges that come with living in community, particularly those that grapple with living more holistically with the earth. She's excited to walk with folks who are at a time of transition in their lives. And she's super jazzed about beekeeping and medicinal herbs.
Bonnie Lenneman
Homesteading Educator & Mentor