Episode 80 - Forest Educator Spotlight: Moving the Needle-Equity, Education & Changing the System
03/11/24 • 68 min
This episode is an exploration of some of the critical issues we encounter as nature based educators when we enter the public education system. The road to Forest Education for all seems to point to a relationship with public schooling, and it's been my experience that going in with our eyes wide open is a great strategy. I use several analogies for the massive bureaucracy that makes up the public system, including The Cargo Ship and the Sail Boat, and The Borg from Star Trek, (You too, will be assimilated by The Borg!) and a few others, so hopefully I don't come across as too harsh. You'll have to be the judge and let me know if I crossed any lines!
We have some big challenges ahead, we're underfunded and we're small, but we have an incredible ally called Nature. We have biology and genetics and some ancestral heritage on our side to boot, and we have some learning models that deliver powerful results. I'm not sure exactly how we are going to make this happen, or how long it's going to take, but I'm really excited to see what happens next.
Join the Forest Educator Patreon!
https://patreon.com/ForestEducatorPodcast
Connect with Ricardo:
https://www.foresteducator.com/
https://www.theforestboxforkids.com/
Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricardo-sierra-5980931/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/the_forest_educator_podcast/
Facebook:
This episode is an exploration of some of the critical issues we encounter as nature based educators when we enter the public education system. The road to Forest Education for all seems to point to a relationship with public schooling, and it's been my experience that going in with our eyes wide open is a great strategy. I use several analogies for the massive bureaucracy that makes up the public system, including The Cargo Ship and the Sail Boat, and The Borg from Star Trek, (You too, will be assimilated by The Borg!) and a few others, so hopefully I don't come across as too harsh. You'll have to be the judge and let me know if I crossed any lines!
We have some big challenges ahead, we're underfunded and we're small, but we have an incredible ally called Nature. We have biology and genetics and some ancestral heritage on our side to boot, and we have some learning models that deliver powerful results. I'm not sure exactly how we are going to make this happen, or how long it's going to take, but I'm really excited to see what happens next.
Join the Forest Educator Patreon!
https://patreon.com/ForestEducatorPodcast
Connect with Ricardo:
https://www.foresteducator.com/
https://www.theforestboxforkids.com/
Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricardo-sierra-5980931/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/the_forest_educator_podcast/
Facebook:
Previous Episode
Episode 79 - The Unbeatable Combination of Occupational Therapy and Forest Education with Marika Austin and Angela Rosenberg
You all know I like a good analogy, so I'm going to say that the duo of Marika and Angela reminds me of the heroes of my comic book days, when I was a collector. I'd mow lawns for my neighbors, and then ride my bike six miles into town to buy my week's new issues. One of my favorites was the Marvel Team-Up comic, where two heroes who don't usually 'hero' together do what they do best, and take care of business. Spider-Man and Daredevil. Wolverine and Iron Fist. It was a 'golden age' of comics back then.
Well, seriously, this marriage of occupational therapy and early childhood education in nature is just so SOLID. There are no weaknesses in their game. And Marika and Angela have teamed up despite the long distance between their Bay Area of California and Florida locations.
Our conversation covers WHY the approaches of OT is so effective for young people. We dig into the detailed observations that therapists see in their students, and how it adds a powerful dimension to more traditional 'forest school' reporting.
The medical field adds credibility to our nature-based approaches that opens doors, gets attention and creates opportunities that help all of us doing nature work everywhere. It's a good idea to know about it!
Marika and Angela on Instagram @naturebasedtherapists - https://www.instagram.com/naturebasedtherapists/
Nature Based Therapy Boot Camp Course - https://grounded-to-grow.thinkific.com/courses/nature-based-therapy-boot-camp
Grounded to Grow 2024 Retreat - https://www.groundedtogrow.com/
Bearfoot Website: https://www.bearfootoccupationaltherapy.com/
Bearfoot Instagram @bearfoot_ot - https://www.instagram.com/bearfoot_ot/
Treeline Enrichment Website: https://www.treelineenrichment.com/
Treeline Enrichment Instagram @treelineenrichment - https://www.instagram.com/treelineenrichment/
Join the Forest Educator Patreon!
https://patreon.com/ForestEducatorPodcast
Connect with Ricardo:
https://www.foresteducator.com/
https://www.theforestboxforkids.com/
Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricardo-sierra-5980931/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/the_forest_educator_podcast/
Facebook:
Next Episode
Episode 81 - Forest Learning in the Los Angeles Basin- with Madlen Sarkisyan
Deep in the concrete jungle of spanish style homes, freeways, urban sprawl and mini-malls, there are naturalists who know the canyons, coastal foothills and estuaries hidden throughout the city.
It's here among the live oaks and agave that children learn about acorns, lizards, animal tracks, and other aspects of California wildlife. I had all kinds of flashbacks to my own childhood throughout this conversation with Madlen Sarkisyan, who co-founded The Children's Forest School based in this diverse area in Southern California.
Our conversation ranges from mountain lions, poison oak, homeschooling, measuring outcomes and moving locations, so we cover a lot of ground. I believe it takes a special kind of person and team to make programs like this happen, and it was a pleasure to connect with Madlen and hear her passion for outdoor learning. Good things are happening in the City of Angels.
Connect with Madlen:
Website: https://www.childrensforestschool.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/childrensforestschool/
Join the Forest Educator Patreon!
https://patreon.com/ForestEducatorPodcast
Connect with Ricardo:
https://www.foresteducator.com/
https://www.theforestboxforkids.com/
Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricardo-sierra-5980931/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/the_forest_educator_podcast/
Facebook:
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