Emily Niehaus, Heron School Head of School

Emily is the founder of Heron School. She grew up in Ohio with a passion for recreation, learning, and finding creative outlets to keep her busy. She holds a Master’s Degree in Applied Sociology from Clemson University, where she studied human behaviour and published her thesis entitled “Environmental Attitudes and Behaviours Among Whitewater Recreationists”. She moved to Moab in 2002 with an open heart to be of service in her life. She is the founder of Community Rebuilds (a nonprofit building affordable housing in Moab with participating homeowners utilizing a student education program), and she is the former Mayor of Moab.

Click on this link to read about the inspiration behind Heron School.

Chad Forde, Heron School Principal & Humanities Lead Instructor

Chad Forde holds a Master of Education in Educational Administration and a Master of Science in Geographic Information Science and has taught and led innovative, project-based programs in Colorado, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Florida. His experience includes leadership roles as a Building Leadership Team member, Social Studies Department Chair, Co-Director of Global Learning, and District College & Career Readiness Coordinator, as well as teaching at the nationally recognized School of Environmental Studies at the Minnesota Zoo, where he helped design interdisciplinary, experiential learning opportunities. At Heron School, Chad is excited to partner with students, families, and faculty to cultivate a community where curiosity, belonging, and meaningful challenge empower exceptional learners to thrive. Outside of school, he enjoys coaching tennis, hiking, trail running (at least trying to enjoy it), photography and drone videography, and exploring the outdoors with his wife and children.

Chad Hamblin, STEAM Lead Instructor

Chad Hamblin was born and raised in Roosevelt, Utah — about a hundred and thirty miles (as the crow flies) north of Moab — and has lived most of his life there. He attended Utah State University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in biology, with minors in anthropology, Spanish, and chemistry — and a second bachelor’s degree in biological science teaching. He completed a watershed investigations course to become certified as a Utah Master Naturalist, and he is working on Geographic Information Systems (GIS) certification through Michigan State University. Chad loves teaching. He also loves hiking, camping, cross-country skiing, nature photography, gardening, playing musical instruments, being creative with arts and crafts, and enjoys spending quality time with his wife, Kristina, and their many pets.