Betsy Craske
Connection: A good friend of mine has a Substack called Rambull and he wrote about Betsy on one of his posts. Immediately, I told him I needed to interview her for iivy, and within seconds he responded, “I was going to tell you she’d be perfect for iivy”. So here we are. Betsy brought an inspirational Q&A packed with a ton of great recommendations and good ideas for living life to the fullest. The next time (which will be the first time) I go to Missoula, Montana I can’t wait to meet her already. Adventures and baked goods? Sign me up.
Name: Betsy Craske
Location: Missoula, MT
Self-Description: Mountain mom, educator, enthusiastic supporter.
Words to live by: A swim is never bad! Although I’m not totally sold on winter cold plunging just yet, I love jumping in water whenever possible.
On motherhood
What does a typical morning look like for you? I usually wake up before my daughter and try to get a cup of coffee in while I catch up on what is happening in the world. Three days a week I head to a local gym that specializes in weightlifting and functional training so that you can excel in outdoor pursuits. The community is great and lifting heavier weights has been super helpful as I worked back towards bike and ski fitness from a difficult pregnancy and postpartum experience. Once my daughter is up, it is all hands on deck while she gets ready for school. We try to bike to school most days; an e-bike has transformed our commuting around town. It is fun for all of us! Once she’s at school, I usually come home to eat breakfast, usually some sort of eggs and veggies (trying to get more protein in my diet), and outline my priorities for the rest of the day. Something that has been super helpful to focus my attention has been this daily planner. Depending on the season and whether it was a gym day or not, I try to incorporate a bike ride, swim, tennis game, or ski into my morning.
Any advice or tips on things to change or incorporate into mornings to make them less stressful? I try to take care of my basic needs (coffee, movement) before my daughter wakes up so that I can be more present. She’s only three but loves to sleep in, so this is easier for me than I think it is for most people.
What advice would you give a new mom who is going through it for the first time? I have two great pieces of advice that were given to me by dear friends when my daughter was a newborn. The first was “there are no wrong moves in the first three months.” This helped me relax about making sure I was doing the right thing and instead helped me focus on just doing what I could in the moment without worrying if it was going to irrevocably harm my daughter in some way down the road. The second piece of advice was “if it isn’t a problem for you, then it isn’t a problem.” Meaning, if it isn’t something that you’re trying to fix because it is creating difficulty or there is a health or similar concern, then don’t worry about trying to do it differently. This advice was super helpful when it came to infant sleep. All babies and families are different, so what works for one person may not work for another. If what you’re doing works for you, great! No need to change it. If it is a problem for you, then you’re empowered to make a change.
What are some of your favorite things you like to do with your kid(s) at home or around your city? The things we like to do together vary from season to season, especially because as a family, we value time spent outdoors and in nature. In the winter this looks like skiing, playing in the snow in the backyard, and craft projects inside. In the spring and summer we love getting outside to bike around the neighborhood, swim in the creek down the path from our house, and eat homemade smoothie popsicles on our back porch. Missoula has no limit to the amount of time you can spend outside, but it also has great places to grab a pastry and to visit as well. We love to visit the brand new library (that won best in the world!). The city is super kid friendly and a great community for families.
What is your favorite memory with your child? There are far too many to recount here! I think my most favorite memories include experiencing sharing with her things I enjoy and finding she enjoys them too. From her first time skiing to her first time camping to her first time rafting, it is fun to experience these activities from her perspective. Recently she’s been super interested in the music we’re playing and makes specific song requests. I love that she’s discovering music beyond the typical kid songs!
What is something you would tell a mom to start doing now to have as a keepsake later? When I was pregnant I started using a 5 year journal to quickly note some highlights or notable parts of my day. I use the Leuchtturm1917 Some Lines a Day notebook, and I love it. This journal has a page for each day of the year and five spaces for five different years. There is only room for a few sentences, but it has become a fun way to track seasonal rhythms and milestones of my daughter’s over time. I try to note the weather, any phenological happenings of note, and something I’m grateful for that day. I also note anything funny or poignant that my daughter does or says. It is great to look back and see how much she’s grown from year to year.
Was motherhood something that came naturally to you or did it take some time to find your rhythm? I had some health issues in both pregnancy and postpartum that illuminated the fact that despite my dreamy notions of what the newborn time would look like, it does indeed look and feel different for everyone. Due to these health concerns and the isolated nature of being pregnant and having a baby during a pandemic, I had a hard time transitioning into rhythms of motherhood. Luckily, I had a great network of friends who were moms to lean on, and I was able to take my time learning about my daughter and how we were together. The best discovery has been that, for me, motherhood continues to get sweeter and sweeter.
On health & wellness
What is your favorite thing to do with your girlfriends? One of my absolute favorite things is to be outside with my friends. Whether it is a bike ride, a hike or walk, skiing laps at the nordic ski center, or hanging with our kids at the swimming hole, I find that some of the best conversations happen on these outdoor adventures. Also, I’ve been lucky to be a part of a close-knit book club over the last 8 or so years as well. We get together every six weeks or so, and it is a time to connect over delicious seasonal food and a bottle of wine. I cherish the discussions that we have about the books and life.
Favorite wellness tip? Therapy! Finding a therapist that I connect well with has been a game changer for me both personally and in my relationships with others. She listens with compassion, offers strategies and words of wisdom, and is a soft place to land and share the struggles I’m experiencing. I know I can say anything and she will be non-judgemental, thoughtful, and helpful in response. From the editor: Psychology Today is a great place to start if you’re looking for a therapist.
Words of advice, inspiration, or motivation to encourage someone to move their body: I feel most like myself when I’m moving my body. When I’m having a tough time motivating, I try to remember that moving is winning, and I’ll always feel better after doing something. Just over a year ago I started training at a local gym that specializes in functional fitness for outdoor pursuits through a focus on lifting heavy weights, functional athletic movements, and conditioning. I love the community, and I’ve seen great improvement in my fitness and body strength since starting. Finding something you love doing will help make it easier to get out, and I always love to have a friend to go to the gym with or get outside with for some external accountability.
On business
Tell us a little bit about life as an educator? This is a great question. I have spent the last ten years working at a small, progressive, independent K-8 school here in Missoula, MT, and I recently stepped away from classroom teaching. I held many roles throughout my time at the school, from teaching middle school science to running outdoor programs. I absolutely loved my school, the students, and the community, and I hope that my daughter can go to school there in a few years. The school is unique in that the classes are small, the curriculum is directed by student interest, and teachers have autonomy to create engaging learning experiences through field trips, collaboration, and community involvement. For me there was no better place to grow in my teaching practice. Every day was different, and this is why I loved it! In any given week students I might be teaching avalanche science, how to write and produce a play, quilt making, and cross country skiing. I loved being on a school schedule- having breaks throughout the year and time off during the summer, but education is a difficult and demanding field of work right now, and I felt that particularly acutely after becoming a mom. I was giving everything I had in the classroom every day and often working in the evenings and on weekends, and I would come home absolutely exhausted, which meant that I didn’t have a lot left to give to my family. I decided at the end of this school year to step back to find more balance for my daughter, husband, and myself. It has absolutely been the right move for me, and I am so in awe of and grateful for the educators who are out there doing this work each and every day.
Did you always want to be a teacher or is it something you fell into? I always loved learning and school as a kid, and I have always found myself in the field of education in one way or another even though I didn’t consciously choose it. From working at a summer camp as a teen, to leading high school trail crews in national parks across North America, to teaching outdoor and science education in Aspen, Colorado, and most recently as a classroom teacher at a small progressive school here in Missoula, I’ve found myself pulled to teaching and working with kids and adults alike.
If you could instill three learnings to your students, what would they be? The content we learn in school is certainly important, but more than knowing their multiplication facts, I hope that my students learn to hone their critical thinking skills, continue to stay curious, and learn to work collaboratively. These are the qualities that make great humans, and if all our future leaders can think critically, remain curious, and work together, our world will be a great place for all.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to be a teacher? I am always so excited when people begin their journey as an educator! One of the most important pieces throughout my career has been mentorship from other educators. I would recommend connecting with educators who have been in the field and are masters at their craft. Ask them questions, observe their classrooms, ask for feedback. I have learned so much from my mentors throughout the last 20 years, and I am beyond grateful for their advice, suggestions, listening ears, thoughtful feedback.
What is your favorite part of working in education? I love that the learning never ends whether you are a child or an adult! Teaching is truly a practice, and each day you get to try something and then reflect and improve for the next iteration. The close relationships formed with students, colleagues, and families are so remarkable, and you are able to make a meaningful difference in the world.
How would you like to remain involved in the field of education in the future? I have a MS in science education with a focus in ecology as well as a BA in environmental studies with a focus in sustainable agriculture. I have a deep well of experience in many different fields of education, including leadership in the fields of curriculum design, program development and management, and team leadership. I thrive on connecting with others; I take pleasure in getting to know people and what makes them unique. My emphasis on relationship-building dovetails nicely with my ability to communicate openly and effectively. I am always looking for opportunities to collaborate with others. I love working with large groups oriented to a common vision. In transitioning out of the classroom, I hope to be able to continue to contribute to this broad field in a meaningful way, whatever that might end up being in the future!
All favorable mentions are linked below with a brief description
What do you never leave the house without? I always have a Lindquist bag over my shoulder. These functional works of art are absolutely beautiful, extremely well made, and a joy to carry. The Pal is great for when you just need your phone and a card or cash, and I use the Faba when I have a bit more to carry. The women running the business are smart, creative, and so kind. Current vice: Baked goods. I loooove a good pastry and have been known to drag my husband on many worldwide quests searching for a great bakery. Some of the best ones I’ve visited are Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop in Anchorage, Alaska and Tartine and Josey Baker Bread, both in San Francisco. Book Recommendations: I have read a lot of great books this summer that were recently published and that have prompted thoughtful discussions with friends and family. In no particular order they are: The God of the Woods by Liz Moore, All Fours by Miranda July, Sandwich by Catherine Newman, and Whale Fall by Elizabeth O’Connor. I’m currently reading Bear by Julia Phillips and Sun House by David James Duncan. Next up on my to-be-read stack is Becoming Little Shell by Métis storyteller Chris La Tray. (Editor’s note: I linked all of these books to Bookshop.org, a nonprofit where you can choose your local bookstore to support when you purchase the book.) Podcast: I have to admit that I’m not in a big podcast stage of life at the moment, but when I have time to listen, I’m usually cueing up the following: Retail Therapy, Culture Study, So Into That, Lael Rides Around the World and We Can Do Hard Things. Skincare product: A dear friend bought me a bottle of Everyday Oil when my daughter was born. My whole family now uses it - the scent is calming and earthy, a mix of palo santo, lavender, geranium, and clary sage, and it nourishes our skin throughout the hot summers and dry winters. I love to give this as a gift, too! Makeup product: I love the Merit Five Minute Morning collection. Everything you need to hit your eyes, skin, and lips to feel bright, refreshed, and put together in a short amount of time! What is one product you'd recommend for a mom of a newborn/toddler? A sheepskin rug or two! Ten years ago, when my husband and I were working and living on a farm just outside of our hometown of Missoula, I insisted that we needed to buy a couple sheepskins from a farm kid who was selling them to earn some money. My husband thought this expense seemed frivolous and he wondered why in the world we needed sheepskins when were living minimally in a one room 10’x14’ house. When our daughter was an infant, the bigger sheepskin became a cozy place for her to lounge, get changed, roll around, and spend time outside before she could move around. She still has the sheep skin in her room and uses it to play on and change on every day. From the editor: I found this one on sale from West Elm. Small Business(es) we should support: Missoula has a lot of fantastic small businesses that I love to visit. The General Public is well curated and endlessly cool. I always have a long wishlist of things I’m eyeing! I also love our downtown bookstore, Fact and Fiction. I always end up with a huge stack of books after browsing, and they’ve got great children’s and middle readers sections, too. Anytime I need a gift I head over to Three Bales Home Supply. There are plenty more local Missoula small business and makers that I love as well, as well as folks further afield who are creating wonderful art. (Be sure to check out my Substack linked below for more fun recommendations!) Recipes: I swear by Caroline Chambers’ Substack What To Cook When You Don't Feel Like Cooking (substack link, can find her on instagram, too). Every recipe she sends out is delicious, relatively quick and simple, and most often is seasonally based. She provides great swaps and substitutions to fit any dietary requirements, and the recipes are easy to follow. They’re super family friendly as well! Some of our family favorites are the Bulgogi Bowls, Chipotle Black Bean Flautas, and the Coronado Cookies. These also make great meals to bring to new parents or anyone in need of a nourishing meal delivered to their doorstep. Favorite store in another town, state or country: The first that comes to mind is August, an antiques and home store in my small hometown in Northern Michigan. Jenna has impeccable taste and curates a collection of items that you’ll dream of filling your home with. A visit to Northern Michigan is a whole recommendation in and of itself, but definitely check out August if you’re in that neck of the woods, or you can pull up the website in the meantime.
Want to follow Betsy?
Thanks so much for having me! You can find me in the following places– I’d love to connect!
https://yougetsywbetsy.substack.com/
https://www.instagram.com/yougetsy
https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsy-craske/