Difference Maker: Heather McMahon

By Stevi Bratschie: Director of Community Education

This month’s Difference Maker is one of my personal heroes and an inspiration to all working in the field of youth development. Her name is Heather McMahon, the Head of School of Vail Valley Unbound, and previously, owner of the Youth Enrichment School (Y.E.S.), and my son’s first ever teacher here in the valley. I am not alone when I say she shaped our son’s life, teaching him to be an independent and confident learner, starting from a young age. 

As co-founder of Vail Valley Unbound, an innovative learner-driven school in Eagle, Heather is helping create a new educational model that challenges traditional assumptions about how children learn and grow. Originally from northern New York, just a stone's throw from the Canadian border, Heather arrived in Eagle County more than two decades ago after graduating from college. Like many, she came for a winter, stayed for a summer, and remains here today with her husband, Dennis, and 8 year-old son, Beck.

Heather’s educational journey began with a degree in elementary education. But early on, she realized that traditional classroom teaching might not be her calling. “Social-emotional intelligence is really important to me and whole-child learning,” she said. So, Heather decided to strike out on her own. She founded the Youth Enrichment School, an in-home preschool that she operated for a decade. “It was such a beautiful chapter of my life,” she said.

Years later, Heather ran into Cassie Boca, who asked if she had heard of Acton Academy. Heather had not, but this got her wheels spinning and she began reading more about it, and eventually talking more with Cassie about bringing this model of education to Eagle County. The two met for coffee and after many months of planning, Vail Valley Unbound was founded. “I knew at that time that if I didn’t take this risk on helping to co-found Vail Valley Unbound, it would be a missed opportunity.”

Vail Valley Unbound follows the Acton Academy model, with a belief that learning shouldn't be limited by age-based expectations alone. "Rather than expecting every child of the same age to be working on the same thing at the same time, learners are able to progress at their own pace, with Guides supporting them as they build independence and take greater ownership of their learning." Heather said.  

If there is one lesson Heather hopes every child takes away from their educational experience, it is that success cannot be measured by grades alone.

“My largest hope for youth is that they’re able to find their own voice,” she said. “Their level of success should never be measured by a grade or by an achievement or an academic milestone.” She also believes that failure and mistakes are how we grow. “If you’re not failing or making mistakes, are you really trying hard enough?” she asked. “Can you rise back up again? Can you find the grit to get back up and try again? If children have that grit, then they’re unstoppable.”

When asked what she loves about our community, Heather responded, “When we need each other, this community rises,” she said. “We all find ourselves in situations where we need support, and my goodness, does this community show up for each other.” Something very special about Vail Valley Unbound is that they bring in small business owners to bring real-world experience into the classroom. Instead of building it themselves or hiring internally, they look to our thriving community for support and guidance, whether for cooking, PE, art, and more. 

Heather’s inspiration comes from the kids themselves. “I always believed that kids were more capable than what we gave them credit for. I think they are so creative and can teach us so much.” At Unbound students are encouraged to ask questions, be vulnerable, and speak confidently. 

When asked what message she would leave for the community, Heather’s response is a true reflection of herself. “Be vulnerable. Take the risk,” she said. “It’s scary to be vulnerable. What if people don’t believe in it? What if I fail? What if this doesn’t work? But, you know what? It doesn’t work if you don’t try. The answer is always no if you don’t ask. So just do it. Take the risk.”