Instructor Name: Alison Pontynen

Community you live in: On the move between Rice Lake and Eagle Harbor

What do you teach at Kaleidoscope? I teach Explore Isle Royale.

List any Family/Pets: I have 3 adventurous adult children spread around the world, two dear West Highland White Terriers, and my retired professor husband to keep me busy.

What was your favorite topic to learn about when you were young?  I always loved art,  reading, and history.

What is your favorite topic to learn about now?  Oh everything! I am trying to learn about area birds and plants, I take watercolor classes, and I have recently learned the skill of hanging drywall!

What project are you working on now that you are proud of? The designing and building of our new house.

Do you have a favorite color? I love color-All of them!

What’s your favorite thing about teaching? Every teacher lives for the “Ah Ha!” moments, but I also love the fun and humor that seems to naturally creep into classes.

If you could go any one place in the world, where would you go and what would you do?  I have been lucky enough to travel many places in the world, but hiking and exploring in Patagonia and the Antarctic are still on my list.

Everyone has one–what’s your hidden talent (something you’re great at that student may not know about)? I have a large vegetable garden and I produce so much that I send “care boxes” out to Isle Royale for some of the Rangers.

What’s your favorite food?  Eggs! I love eggs in almost any form you can think of.

Thanks for sharing about yourself, Alison, and being a part of our Kaleidoscope team!