Our Staff
Learn about the fine folks (including those behind the scenes) that make these trips so unforgettable!
J.T. Maxwell, Founder, Grand Classroom
J.T. Maxwell practically invented student travel to National Parks. He has been involved with student travel for twenty-two years and has a passion for the outdoors and for parks of the west.
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John Raymond, Director of Sales and Marketing
John is in charge of the sales effort for Grand Classroom and has been in student travel for eighteen years. He is an avid sports fan whose humor and wit carries the day. A graduate o
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Jon Taffe
Jon has spent his entire ten-year career in student travel, and is currently a full-time salesperson and seasonal guide. Jon is known as the medium sized “Jon” in the office. Jon is
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Dave Henley
Dave has been with Grand Classroom since 2004 and has helped it grow into the company it is today. A graduate of the University of Virginia, Dave oversees operations and web development when not
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Steve Raymond
Director of Customer Service and Account Management
Steve comes to Grand Classroom with fifteen years of experience in stu
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Greg Mondello
Greg started working with Grand Classroom shortly after graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University with a degree in Environmental Science. He was exposed to many overnight wilderness camps
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Sarah Perkinson
Sarah Perkinson graduated from James Madison University in 2009 where she studied political science and nonprofit studies. Born and raised in Virginia, Sarah has always enjoyed the outdoors, esp
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Michael Barger
Michael Barger has shared the title “sons of nerds” with his brother since infancy, witnessed intense riots of jealousy over his locks of red hair from older women since birth, and found true
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Matt Grady
Passionate enthusiast in almost everything he participates in, Matt joins our sales team with 13 years of experience. Growing up in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Matt found himself s
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Jim Harshaw
Jim graduated from the University of Virginia in 1999 with his bachelors in environmental science and a Master of teaching. After graduation, he led educational travel tours where he met his soul
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Kelsey Vacco
Kelsey is a local girl. She grew up 15 miles north of Charlottesville, VA at the foothills of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains where the most spectacular views could be seen just minutes from
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Curt Power
Raised in wild and wonderful West Virginia, a love of the outdoors was instilled in Curt at an early age. After attending the prestigouis John Handley High School he traveled south to Bridgewater
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Adrah Parafiniuk
Adrah was born the oldest of 8 children and knew he was born to lead but he didn't know where to lead; not then. When not working for non-profits or teaching, Adrah is found in the garden, in th
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Gregg Wachtelhausen
Gregg Wachtelhausen is an earth science teacher on the south shore of Massachusetts, traveler, outdoorsman, and self-admitted “geo-nerd.” Gregg studied geosciences at the University of CT an
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Ryanne Seibert
Ryanne grew up in a small town in the foothills of Colorado. Every day was spent outdoors fostering her love and appreciation for the environment. As a child Ryanne passed time on camping trips wit
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Steven Williams
With his chiseled features, and great depth of character it’s no wonder Steven was drawn to the Grand Canyon. Brought up in the concrete jungle of Dallas, Texas, Steven found himself often maki
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Eric Retterbush
Eric currently resides on planet Earth and doesn't plan on moving from here for a little while. Mostly because he has too much fun romping around and giggling in the many beautiful places Earth
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Kris Dohse
Kris Dohse was born and raised on the Colorado Plateau in Flagstaff Arizona which means he is one of the few left, of a rare mysterious sub group of the species guidesapien. Kris spent most of hi
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Bob Cheeseman
Bob started with an early passion for the great outdoors, reinforced by May trips and summers around New England's lakes and mountains. Several trips as young man to Colorado's Rocky Mountains ma
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Lauren Neese
Lauren Neese grew up living next door to JT and Robin Maxwell, owners of Grand Classroom. She is a huge environmental enthusiast, and graduated from the University of Mary Washington with a degre
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Kristen Miller
As a tiny girl in a bathing suit and towel cape, Kristen roamed her backyard as a kid: climbing trees, her swingset, and saving squirrels from evil forces. A corn-fed Indiana girl, but a westerne
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Tom Cunnings
Teacher, student, acrobat, yogi, naturalist... Tom wears a lot of hats. Before romping through the southwest, Tom grew up in the Bay Area enjoying the beauty of its natural environments. Since t
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