David Hagstrom

David Hagstrom is a storyteller and writer, educator and community builder. David served as a teacher, school leader and university professor in the Midwest, Alaska and Oregon for over 50 years, bringing a view of leadership as an act of listening, honoring people’s knowledge and passions, and creating communities of shared enterprise. For two decades he also facilitated retreats in the Pacific Northwest and nationally based on the work of Parker J. Palmer through the Center for Courage & Renewal. Periods of immersion in Alaska, Hawaii, Sweden (his family’s homeland), France, Spain, Japan and South Korea also formed his personhood and perspective. He received his formal education at Grinnell College (B.A. in Sociology), Harvard University (Master of Arts in Teaching/History), and the University of Illinois (Doctor of Education). In all these settings, David experienced and learned about the life-changing impact of genuinely encouraging words and actions.

Over his lifetime, David has felt and expressed a love of the land. He has always enjoyed working in the dirt, tending seeds and plants, and became a Master Gardener while living in Alaska. David especially cherishes his nickname “Farmer Dave.” These days, his favorite place to do “dirt work” is on land north of Sisters, Oregon, which is lovingly christened The Clearing. His treasured Writing House sits on this same land.