Newt was born and raised among the tall pines of Washington State, where they later earned a Bachelor’s in Linguistics from Western Washington University. Along with a minor in Philosophy and serving as president of Western’s longest-running poetry club, the Poets and Lyricists Society (PALS), Newt deeply values each person’s story and the curiosity and compassion needed to gain perspective. Seeking deeper personal and professional growth, Newt completed a Wilderness First Response certification from the School of Remote Medical Training in Bellingham, WA. They then moved to Eugene, Oregon, with their partner to continue their education at the University of Oregon. Earning a Master’s in Language Teaching Studies, Newt aims to use their expertise and background to improve the educational experience for those taking the brave step toward higher education.