Warren Petersen

Director of Outreach

How many years have you worked at Oak Grove?

I started working at Oak Grove in 2012, and as Director of Outreach since 2015.

Why do you work at Oak Grove?

To be part of the big picture vision that was started by Krishnamurti.

Where is your special spot on campus?

The Preschool playground.

Coffee or Tea?

Both.

What makes an Oak Grove education unique?

Oak Grove provides students with way more than a functional education; it prepares students to go out into the world prepared for life, inspired, and equipped with an understanding of themselves.

What outdoor experience has been most impactful for you?

When I was a teen, my high school had an annual “long walk” which started at 2:00 in the morning. The entire school started the walk but not everyone completed the course. I was at mile 40 and my legs were giving out. My boarding master coaxed me to continue through the pain to finish the full 50 miles. This experience was highly impactful, teaching me a lot about myself and what I was capable of.

The best live music performance/concert you ever attended is …

Sitting eight rows from the stage at the Hollywood Bowl watching Stevie Ray Vaughan was pretty darn amazing.

Which teacher in your life affected you greatly? How?

A sloppily dressed man who smelled like he hadn’t bathed in a few weeks started a long conversation with me. After a lengthy philosophical discussion I was eagerly accepting his book referrals. Besides recommending Gurdjieff and Watts, he also included Krishnamurti. This sent me on a rapid forward motion into awareness.

Name something that nobody knows about you.

I always wish our group “moment of silence” was longer.

Person (dead or alive, famous or not) that you’d most like to share a meal with.

Mooji.

Name a place you’ve always wanted to visit, but haven’t yet.

Bhutan.

What is your most bizarre OGS experience?

Not so much bizarre, but interesting. I applied to work at Oak Grove back in 1999 before I was married with kids. I didn’t care what I did. I just wanted to be a part of Oak Grove. Fast forward 15 years, I work here full time with one child graduated and one attending. Life’s a trip!