Emily Durkin is the Upper School Science Teacher at the Telluride Mountain School, as well as the Director of the Upper School and International Baccalaureate Program Coordinator.   Prior to joining the Telluride community, Emily  earned her Master’s of Education, Curriculum & Instruction in the residency program at Islandwood, Bainbridge Island, WA.  Emily was drawn to the student-centered and experiential nature of the Mountain School pedagogy. 

Emily was an instructor for the Voyageur Outward Bound School for nine years. While instructing for Outward Bound, Emily led canoe and portaging expeditions, as well as delivered programming in social and emotional learning, restorative justice, problem solving, and communication.  Emily’s time at Outward Bound ignited her passion for wilderness education, she loves getting her science classes out of the classroom and hands on in the local Telluride environment. 

Emily is an avid cross fitter, skier, mountain biker and hiker.  When not at the school, she can be found coaching classes and throwing around weights at the local CrossFit box.  Emily can often be seen running the trails of Telluride with her white lab Tully in tow.