Home

Philosophy

Music

Volunteering

Academics Abroad

Language Study

Outdoor Exploration

Application

About Us

Contact Us

Rich and Wendy Simpson

Rich and Wendy Simpson founded Pathways and Wild Oats Education in 1995. They have two sons, Andy (24) and Matt (21), and are based in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

Rich has been the primary mentor and teacher at Pathways, where he and Wendy and their sons have worked to create an intimate and vibrant family setting for their students to grow and learn.  Rich has an extensive background in music composition and production and has recorded and help develop many young people over the past decades. He especially enjoys the outdoors and has led countless groups of students on camping, hiking, rafting adventures in the Pacific Northwest.

Wendy is a published writer and poet who worked as a librarian and an English teacher before establishing Pathways. She has a love of foreign films and is currently writing freelance articles on education and travel.

In 2004, the Simpson family traveled to Argentina to explore the wonderful culture and landscape of this country. Since then, Rich and Wendy have integrated travel into their work with students.

 
"I find it hard not to write on and on about all that Pathways has given to all of the families that I've referred them to over the past 12 years. Pathways is a small program that I would call a gemstone. The travelblogs that my students created from Argentina relate a once in a lifetime experience; growing, learning, laughing, working, and becoming aware of and caring about a larger community through service projects and social interactions. My personal experience has been that in their academically rich and personally nurturing environment, teens and families find a support system that goes way further than the extra mile."

– Linda Shaffer, M.A.
Educational Consultant, Sandpoint and Boise, Idaho