Elle Shafer

Deputy Director, Teton Region

Elle is an educator, artist, and scientist. A native Coloradan, Elle quickly learned to love the natural world, often exploring by foot, by boat, or on skis. Elle’s outdoor educator father inspired her to become a life-long learner grounded in people and place and that influence brought her to the Tetons in 2013. Elle’s combination of skills has led her work in building and sustaining communities whether in schools in the Mountain West or in non-profit organizations in Wyoming where she often combines art and science with her educator mind by bringing otherwise complex subjects (such as geology, paleontology, math, and literacy) to life through visuals, whether as artwork, lessons, or exhibit installations. As an educator, Elle has taught students preschool through adult, most recently serving as the Associate Head of School of Mountain Academy of Teton Science Schools and as the Education Coordinator for the Art Association of Jackson Hole. In both of these roles, Elle led teams of educators through change management, strategic planning, and collaborative project work while centering the work in the community.

Elle holds a BA in Geology and Studio Art from Colorado College and an MA in Education and Human Development from University of Colorado, Denver. Elle loves to paint, draw, read, hike, ski, and float the local rivers. Her artwork can be found in small shops around Teton Valley, Idaho where she lives with her husband and daughter.

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