He’s back! Pete Fairley returns to IHS after a 20-year hiatus, teaching science in the same room that he used early in his career. After growing up near Seattle and attending grad school at the University of California, Irvine, Pete settled in northern Nevada, teaching at Pyramid Lake High School, IHS, and Galena High. Although he retired in 2018, he is delighted to resume helping young people understand more about the world around them as part of the Highlander team.

One of Pete’s specialties is outdoor education. “My hope is to do more than help students learn the information in the book. I also want them to apply our studies to their surroundings: the forest, the lake, and the mountains. For this reason, I try to take kids on field trips and walks around the school as much as possible. Ideally, we collect data from different ecosystems, then use this data to develop our understanding and appreciation of the natural world.”

His interest in environmental studies stems from the joy he experiences while engaging in outdoor activities such as hiking, paddling, telemark skiing, mountain biking, scuba diving, and trail running. Exploring nature throughout the seasons and across different environments provides him with the inspiration and energy that he shares daily with his students.

In addition to his outdoor adventures, Mr. Fairley also loves exploring music from around the world. He plays a variety of percussion instruments from many cultures, and has performed and recorded with several bands in the area. These musical interests and his curiosity about ecosystems have led him to travel with his wife to many countries, visiting unique environments and listening to traditional music across the globe.

“Returning to IHS at this point in my career has been wonderful. It’s great to come full circle and have a chance to contribute to this community again. Everyone has been friendly and helpful, and I’m grateful to be back!”