Matthew Stark

I was born in 1993 in Montreal, Quebec. One of two children, I grew up in a middle class household in the suburbs of the city. As a child I had a keen interest in science and the outdoors. My family would spend the summers hiking the mountains of Stow, Vermont and the winters skiing the hills of the Laurentians. I did well in school all through elementary and high school. My varied interests lead me down many paths during post secondary education. I completed a DEC (CEGEP Degree) in applied sciences directly after highschool. After a brief period of work I returned to CEGEP to study paramedicine, but before completing the degree I was drawn to Laurentian University to get an undergrad in Education.

Starting at the age of 14 I spent each summer at a summer camp. At both the YMCA Camp Kanawana and Camp Paddlefoot, I partook in canoe trips progressing from four days to a month long. When I turned 18 I started working at the YMCA Camp Kanawana as a canoe guide and continued to do so until I became the director of trips and excursions at the camp. During this time I also aided in outdoor education courses at the college level and worked in other outdoor education companies.

Over the years, my experience in the outdoor education sector has inspired me to pursue education as a full time occupation. In recent years I have rediscovered my love for mathematics and I began teaching and tutoring math as well. Currently, when I am not in school learning, I am either outside leading a group through the wilderness or inside sharing with others the joys of mathematics.