Our Faculty

Dr. Beth Warsof, PhD (she/her) is a licensed developmental psychologist, professional certified coach, and international experiential educator. In her work, Beth co-creates brave, compassionate spaces that empower individuals in their gifts, cultivate connection and community, and bring greater justice and belonging to our world. Beth is honored to return to Class Afloat (Gulden Leeuw, 2017-18) in her role supporting student and community wellness. Beth will work in person during Student and Faculty Orientation as well as remotely throughout the year.

Sydnie is a passionate and multilingual (English, French, Spanish) global studies educator with an M.Ed in Second Language Acquisition and experience teaching in Canada, Kenya, and Costa Rica. She is excited to guide students aboard Class Afloat, helping them connect classroom learning to the diverse cultures and communities they encounter around the world, and to the unique perspectives they each bring. Inspired by bell hooks’ philosophy of building vibrant classroom communities, she values curiosity, connection, and the power of hearing one another’s voices. Sydnie’s love of the mountains and respect for her partner’s love of the sea (who also serves as 2nd mate aboard) lead her to travel far and wide, enjoying all the adventuring life has to offer.

What’s something you’ve been meaning to try but just haven’t gotten around to it?

Wing foiling. As an avid snowboarder, I’ve always been curious to see if wing foiling really is the water equivalent everyone claims it to be. It requires some special equipment (and maybe a friend who knows what they’re doing!), so I’m hoping the right opportunity will come along someday.

What is your best advice for having a great adventure?

Choose your adventure for its ability to challenge you. Once you commit, stay the course. Even the most daunting mountains can be climbed with small, deliberate steps forward. The reward of tackling the harder or scarier path far outweighs the fleeting thrills of an easier one. Do this again and again, and you’ll find that great adventures have a way of finding you.

What is one of the most valuable lessons you’ve learned to date?

Pocket-chocolate! Some of you might already know what I mean. For everyone else: bring snacks. Fill your pockets with chocolate, granola bars, pretzels, whatever you like. Why? Because nothing says “I’m approachable” quite like offering someone a little treat when they need it most. Sharing snacks is the ultimate cross-cultural social currency and one of the easiest ways to make friends wherever you go. And if that’s the surface-level wisdom, the deeper lesson is this: life is fragile. It touches all of us in time. Until then, remind yourself often that life is happening right now. Learn to serve others in the unique ways only you can and be open to receiving their gifts in return. Ultimately, it’s those spontaneous moments of kindness and connection that make for a rich life.

What book impacted you the most?

Dove by Robin Lee Graham found me at just the right age. A friend gave it to me while I was on a solo cycle tour, wrestling with some of life’s bigger questions. On the surface, it’s the story of Robin’s solo sailing voyage at sixteen, but as a non-sailor, it spoke to me as a story of movement, curiosity, and quiet reflection. It was a book that recognized a part of me I hadn’t fully understood yet. I would easily recommend it to all students joining Class Afloat, given their natural pull toward adventure and the sea.

For the past six years I have lived in remote communities in Alaska, working as a science teacher, commercial fisherman, and emergency medical technician. As a teacher, I aim not to just teach my students about scientific facts, but to teach them how to engage in the scientific process.

Outside of work, I enjoy many outdoor activities including hiking, camping, birding, and wildlife photography. When the long, dark Alaskan winters keep me indoors, I enjoy reading, baking, and weightlifting.

What makes you most excited about teaching/working with Class Afloat?

I am excited to teach about the ocean while we are surrounded by it! Immersive experiences make for the best learning outcomes.

What is your best advice for having a great adventure?

Don’t make too many plans; amazing experiences can unfold if you just live in the moment.

What is the best single day on the Calendar?

I’m Owain, a Scot who loves trying as many new things as possible. Having taught across three continents, I can attest that seeing the world is one of the best ways of learning about yourself and the planet you inhabit. I’m happiest when learning about new places through their landscapes, history and the people who live there (or playing Geoguessr and Sporcle quizzes). Whenever possible, you’ll find me outside doing something active, from running and football to scuba diving and slacklining.

What is your best advice for having a great adventure?

Say yes as much as you can. That doesn’t mean saying yes to everything, and try to remember common sense, but don’t spend so much time planning an adventure that you forget to have one.

What is one of the most valuable lessons you’ve learned to date?

One lesson that sits close to the heart of Class Afloat’s mission is the idea that “More is in You”. Time and again, I’ve seen people achieve things they once thought were beyond them. The best way to discover what you’re capable of is often to stretch your comfort zone and attempt something that feels just a little bit daunting at first.

What is the best single day on the calendar?

For me, and for many Scots, it’s around the 21st of June. We spend most of the year battling rain, wind and 3PM sunsets. But it all feels worthwhile when one of our ten cloudless days of the year arrives, the temperature finally creeps above 20°C, the sun barely sets below the horizon, and the midges haven’t appeared yet.

Among your friends and family, what are you famous for?

Stopping to read every sign we pass. Historical plaque, geocache, museum display; if it has writing on it, there’s a good chance I’ll stop to read it. Will I remember what it said an hour later? That is less of a guarantee…

What’s something you’ve been meaning to try but just haven’t gotten around to it?

Actually spending an extended period living aboard a sailing ship. It seems I’ve finally found the perfect opportunity!