Dan Jaskot
Dan grew up in Middletown, CT., where he attended Xavier High School. Dan enrolled in Springfield College (Springfield, MA) in 1998. While at Springfield College, Dan majored in Physical Education, was a member of the Springfield College football team, and became involved in many on-campus clubs and activities.
At the end of his first year Dan had the opportunity to take part in a week-long camping class called Outdoor Pursuits at Springfield College’s East Campus. That experience enlightened Dan to the world of Outdoor Adventure and Education. During his second year, Dan’s interest in Outdoor Adventure and Education continued to grow. Dan had the opportunity to work with Dr. Ted France (Springfield College) as an outdoor adventure facilitator. During his many experiences as a teambuilding facilitator, Dan developed a true appreciation for the benefits of teaching teambuilding, interpersonal, and intrapersonal skills through adventure.
After graduating, Dan spent three years as a physical education teacher, two of which were spent working at a behavioral school in Springfield. Dan went back to work under Dr. France for his graduate degree. Dan taught and co-taught a Physical Education Teaching Methods class for sophomore Physical Education majors. The focus of the class was integrating adventure activities into high school physical education.
Before coming to EMPOWER, Dan spent two years teaching at The Springfield Renaissance School, an expeditionary learning school. During the two years at ‘The Renaissance’, Dan was able to integrate adventure units into the school’s physical education curricula.
Dan now happily resides as an EMPOWER staff member and he looks forward to seeing a wide range of people out at the facility.
