Heidi MacNaughton

OEE and WOW Coordinator

At McGillis since 2016

Contact Heidi MacNaughton: hmacnaughton@mcgillisschool.org

Education:
B.A., Psychology, University of Redlands
M.A., School Counseling, University of Redlands

Bio:
Growing up in Bend, Oregon, Heidi was fortunate to have outdoor recreation opportunities in her backyard. Her family vacations consisted of camping, hiking, riding bikes, boating, and visiting beautiful alpine lakes or high desert locations. She attended college at the University of Redlands in Southern California where she eventually found her niche helping create the school's Outdoor Program. Missing the mountains led her to Salt Lake City in 2009. Before arriving at McGillis, she worked in the field of outdoor education with children and young adults for over a decade. To work in her current role at McGillis is truly a dream come true. As a teen and young college student, she always felt more confident and engaged in outdoor learning environments. Heidi cares deeply about educating and creating future stewards of our environment. She hopes to help students gain confidence, independence, and a connection to the natural environments in Utah. When not at McGillis, she enjoys skiing, mountain biking, white water rafting, baking desserts, traveling, and enjoying beautiful outdoor places.

 

As McGillis celebrates its 30th anniversary, what is a memory you would like to share with our community?
McGillis organized its first mountain bike team in the spring of 2017! Each spring and fall since, students of all levels of experience have gotten out on local trails and gained new skills on their bikes. Some have even competed in cross country races and gone on to join high school teams.

 

I am learning to:
Garden! I'm very excited to grow my own fruits and vegetables.

 

Which McGillis value do you most appreciate?
Derech Eretz, Respect for all people and beliefs: If our students learn nothing else at McGillis than this value, they will make our world a better place!

 

Favorite McGillis Lunch:
All things pasta

 

Favorite McGillis tradition:
OEE Trips

 

Favorite McGillis moment:
Watching our students on the mountain bike team cross the finish line at the races with big smiles on their faces.

 

What is a powerful moment you experienced at school?
Teachers who gave me confidence and pointed out my strengths.