Jim Bailey took a roundabout path to teaching, earning his bachelor's degree and teaching certificate when he was 31, after a peripatetic career as a cowboy and surfer. He feels these real-world experiences have given him a richer, deeper context for his teaching. He's now been teaching 20 years in Ojai, including both private and public schools, and is the founder and director of Rock Tree Sky, which provides enriching experiences for students age 5 to 18.

This Ojai Living Treasure and science educator has partnered with the Ojai Unified School District for an innovative program during the pandemic, which might become a model of expanding education and experiential learning. Though teaching during a pandemic has "made an awesome job more difficult" Bailey feels confident that this current cohort of students will make their adjustments and snap back to typical classroom collaborations and experiences. His self-directed, student-led approach has won many admirers and given his students the skills needed to lead a rich, fulfilled life.

We also talk about Bailey's circuitous journey to Rock Tree Sky, his inspirations and how he is still in contact with the young lady surfer who he saved from a sure drowning nearly 20 years ago. We did not get around to talking about Game of Thrones, the invention of algebra or Korean horror films. 

A few resources:

• Carol Black's "A Thousand Rivers" essay at http://carolblack.org/a-thousand-rivers

• One self-directed education ... https://www.self-directed.org/sde/

• On the perils of "helicopter parenting" ... https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2014/04/hey-parents-leave-those-kids-alone/358631/