“You’re off to great places. Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, so get on your way!”
-Dr. Seuss
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9/09 - LS Back to School Night
9/15 - Lower School Picture Day
9/16 - Upper School Picture Day
9/17 - US Back to School Night
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- Insider Info: BTSN & New Family Gathering
- ACA: Crew Orientation Trips
- Athletics & Activities: Fall Clubs
- Community Spotlight: The Kussair Family
- Fundraising:Mom's Desolation Backpack
- TAP: Field Work Goodie Bags
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What a phenomenal first week of school!!! Students on campus and in the field were curious, kind, collaborative and clearly excited to be back with their friends and teachers!!
We have a few important announcements for the week. First, we’re excited to welcome families to our Lower School Back to School Night on Tuesday, September 9th from 5:00–6:30pm. We’ll begin with a 30-minute presentation in Building One (B1), then transition into Lower School classrooms for Crew presentations. If you need childcare during the event, please reach out to Chloe to make arrangements. If you haven't RSVP'd, please do so HERE. Second up, our inaugural New Family Cocktail event is going to be on Wednesday the 10th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the Martis Camp Park Pavilion 10600 Amaranth Court. If you would like to attend, but haven't received an invite, please reach out to our TAP president, Kim Burns at kim@jounreysunparalleled.com. |
Last week, our Upper School students embarked on one of TEA’s most time-honored and valued traditions: Crew Orientation trips. Each year, students in the Upper School kick off the first week of school on a local adventure. In their grade level Crew cohorts, they backpack trails throughout the basin, including Desolation Wilderness, Gold Lakes Basin, parts of the Tahoe Rim Trail, and beyond. The Senior Class program has shifted out of the backcountry, rafting the South Fork of the American River last year, and engaging with a rich base camping experience at Sugar Pine State Park this year. For TEA, starting the year with fieldwork experiences is crucial. Faculty set the tone for Adventure through the activity itself, for Academics with reading, journaling, and discussion of carefully crafted prompts, and for Character, through the challenges presented by the backcountry, and the social knitting that comes together through an immediate shared experience.
Shared challenges - long hikes at altitude, a heavy water carry, a difficult team building task, or an opportunity to be vulnerable - build trust and reliance between students themselves, and strengthen norms and relationships with the Crew leader stronger than any three days in the classroom. For groups of students that have been together for years, Crew trips allow them an intentional opportunity to dive more deeply into their class dynamics, and to explore how their strength can define the year ahead. As we enter into our first week of classes, we know that the students are better prepared now, then they were a week ago.
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New offerings include Mad Scientist Club with DC Larrabee and Crafts Club, which offers students extended project opportunities in the afternoon. Mountain Biking Club returns this Fall and will take riders on explorative rides on single track in Truckee - teaching riding and bike how tos along the way.
We’re happy to share that Beth Gamboa’s award winning TEA Players returns to rehearsals in December. Mrs. Beth returns to the stage as James and the Giant Peach Jr. Producer and Director. While our super talented musician and teacher, Chance Utter will serve as the play’s Musical Director.
Rock Band Club returns too, bringing student-musicians together to jam, collaborate, and perform live! Taught by musicians Dave Zimmerman and Justin Eubanks, bands will meet weekly to build a 2–3 song set, grouped by grade, experience, and instrument so every student can shine.
View the Parent Square post here. |
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The Kussair family is thrilled to be joining the Tahoe Expedition Academy community for the 2025–2026 school year. With their oldest graduating from Sierra Expeditionary Learning School (SELS), they set out to find a high school that would continue the Expeditionary Learning model they had grown to love. After touring TEA and seeing the incredible fieldwork opportunities ahead, they decided to go all in and moved all three girls to TEA to share a unified EL experience from elementary through high school.
Inaya, entering 9th grade, is a little on the timid side but brimming with creativity. She’s eager to take on new challenges and is especially excited to dive into her Arabic language studies while embracing TEA’s unique adventures. Zayna, heading into 7th grade, brings a curious mind, a gentle soul, and a creative spirit, ready to explore both the academic and outdoor landscapes of her new school. Alina, starting 4th grade, is a strong-willed ball of unicorn-rainbow-glitter energy. She’s brand new to the EL model but is excited to create her own memories after hearing countless stories about her older sisters’ expeditions. Her shadow day sealed the deal, especially after meeting a warm and welcoming new friend who instantly made her feel at home.
Keeli is the family’s full-time CEO of home operations, a role that requires energy, strategy, and heart in equal measure. Originally from Oxford in the United Kingdom, she’s a bit of an old soul with a love for adventure and an enviable knack for making tea the proper way. AK was born and raised in California and is the founder and director of Transform Studios, a boutique web development agency specializing in human-centered technology, particularly ecommerce and AI. He is also a partner in Glazed.fit, a SaaS fitness startup. They often joke that their marriage blends British charm with California sunshine, bound together by a shared love of exercise, food, and travel.
The Kussairs moved to Truckee two years ago in pursuit of “living forever where we play,” surrounding themselves with the natural beauty of the Sierra and the endless opportunities for outdoor adventure. As a family, they value honesty, empathy, curiosity, and the idea that mistakes are just stepping stones toward growth. They believe in following your passions, being kind always, and making time for both hard work and fun.
They are excited for the girls to develop independence through TEA’s fieldwork and are looking forward to finding new ways to contribute to the CommuniTEA.
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Escape to the stunning Desolation Wilderness for a soul-nourishing weekend designed just for moms. Journey to beautiful Tamarack and Aloha Lakes for a restorative backpacking experience that blends mindfulness, creativity, and connection. Enjoy guided meditation and reflective discussions under the stars, alongside watercolor nature sketching and vision board creation using natural materials. You'll deepen your connection to the wild—and to yourself. No prior experience needed; all levels welcome. Reconnect, recharge, and return home renewed.
We will depart from TEA Campus Friday morning, backpacking into Tamarack Lake (4 miles), day trip over to Aloha Lake, and return to campus on Sunday afternoon after stopping for Sushi in South Lake Tahoe.
Only 5 spots remaining - $500 a person
**If the cost is a barrier, please just reach out to Courtenay Wallpe. We want everyone who wants to join us to be able to!!!
Generously hosted by Courtenay Wallpe and Kimberly Anderson!!!
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Welcome back students and staff from the first crew trips of the 2025/26 year! TEA’s Association of Parents provides goodie bags to teachers, guides and staff to cushion their return from the field. Thank you to everyone for your $75 TAP Donation that goes towards showering our teachers in tasty treats, pantry snacks and significant gifts throughout the year. Our teachers, guides and staff appreciate us all! |
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