Natural Sciences

Hi! I'm Grady, a Physics and Math guide here at Headwaters. I am a graduate of UC Santa Cruz with a degree in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology with a professional background researching cancer medication and medical devices. I'm passionate about most physical sciences whether thats physics, biology, chemistry, or anything else that helps us understand how the world works. Outside of that I also soccer coach here at Headwaters, following my passion for the sport that I've had since I was really young. I also dabble in performing arts having performed in several plays and a few short films.

As a kid, I spent nine summers at Nature Camp in Baltimore while attending Gilman School. Since 2008, I have been teaching Environmental Science and Outdoor Leadership at Headwaters. I wanted to be a professor for many years, and published research on climate change and did field work in Antarctica and Bangladesh. My research was presented at Cambridge, UK and was written-up in the journals Science and Discover, among others. But I found my true calling in teaching and being with the youth. I have a BA from Colgate, a MS from William and Mary, and a PhD from Rice. After college, I attended NOLS, Outward Bound, and I've led backpacking trips in California under my own LLC. Finally, I was Assistant Guide for 1st-3rd graders here in Austin at Parkside Montessori, led a cabin at Global Youth Peace Summit, and taught at Lee College in Baytown, TX. Perhaps my most proud achievement, I founded Blackwood Nature Camp in Hempstead, Texas, which received a national award and is still going today. But best of all, in 2003 I met a beautiful architect at a swing dance class. We got married, have two girls named Cleo and Marion, and our dog's name is Hero.

I am a born and raised Austinite with a love of all things outdoors, live music, sports and spending time with the people near and dear to my heart. I earned my B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies and played soccer at Texas State University. Upon graduation in 2019, I moved to Hawaii and began my journey in education as an 8th grade Science teacher. After a couple years I moved back to Austin and served as the Head Girls Soccer Coach and Math teacher at San Marcos High School. Now, I'm elated to begin my second year at Headwaters as the 6th grade Science and Outdoor Education guide! I am also joining THE David Heroy in teaching HS Outdoor Leadership this year. I feel truly blessed for the opportunity to be a part of this unique, vibrant and loving community.