Connecting Students to the Outdoors in Goodhue, Minnesota -- PRTP21

07/09/22 • 28 min

It's been a while since I've headed up to Minnesota for an episode and this one certainly did not disappoint. Today, I'm featuring two teachers in the Goodhue School District, just north of Rochester by 40 minutes. Goodhue is certainly rural with a total K12 population of just over 720 students. I found this story by happenstance, really. I wanted to do a story on a school in the driftless of Minnesota that paid special attention to engagement with the outdoors or conservation. Sometimes these stories are hard to find because I'm several counties away, so I jumped on Twitter and begin searching “fishing Minnesota kids” – just those three words. And there I found a tweet From Goodhue teacher Robbie Abner tweeting about the Goodhue Fishing Club, and oh my, did that lead me to a great story. Come with me to learn how teachers Robbie Ebner and Matt Halverson are connecting kids with land in three different ways, and after you’re done listening, be sure to read the show notes for relevant links.

What is Envirothon?

Envirothon in the Goodhue School District

"Area Students Excel at Envirothon Competition." Goodhue-Bellchester Messenger. 15 Jun 2022.

'There is always time to go out fishing': Goodhue Fishing Club growing love of the sport in students. Post Bulletin. 12 April 2022.

Robby Ebner on Twitter

Matt Halverson on Twitter

What is Envirothon?

Envirothon in the Goodhue School District

"Area Students Excel at Envirothon Competition." Goodhue-Bellchester Messenger. 15 Jun 2022.

'There is always time to go out fishing': Goodhue Fishing Club growing love of the sport in students. Post Bulletin. 12 April 2022.

Robby Ebner on Twitter

Matt Halverson on Twitter

Previous Episode

Collaborating with Community Partners in Potosi, Wisconsin -- PRTP20

Today's podcast episode takes you on a journey to Potosi, Wisconsin where you’ll meet a group of both students and adults all dedicated to three missions, all of which benefit the school system and the community. Potosi Is a rural community with a long history back to the early 1800s. For this entire episode, we are on location in the downtown area In mid-February. The temps are nice but there's still snow on the ground. Potosi Main Street is probably 3 miles and has a gradual slope downhill toward the river. To me, Potosi represents the landscape of the Driftless and that the main street seems nestled in a hallow with homes and businesses tucked against the rock. It’s definitely representative of what we this of as the driftless landscape. We start out at the Badger Trail Huts to learn how students are partnering with community members to improve this historically relevant trail that will offer yet another destination stop for visitors to the area. On our walk, you’ll meet Superintendent Kurt Cohen, Science teacher Matt Eastlick, community member Larry Kalina, and students Logan Uppena, Connor McKillip, Emily Bierman, Logan Kruser, and Ethan Kerkhoff.

You’re learning about three projects. 1.) how students are learning about concepts in science while improving their community by working on the Badger Trail Huts and 2.) how students will be supporting the creation of the Potosi Driftless Information Center in downtown Potosi & lastly, 3.) how students are helping install a prairie on school property. We start out at the bottom of the Badger Trail huts. Talk a walk with us!

Next Episode

Family & Consumer Education -- A Responsive Approach at Wisconsin Dells High School -- PRTP22

When you think of Wisconsin Dells, I'm guessing the first thing that might come to mind would be the water parks and resorts. Located in southern Wisconsin, Wisconsin Dells draws in well over 4 million visitors a year. Despite that huge tourist draw, the permanent resident population is actually much smaller. Matter of fact, Wisconsin Dells High schools enrollment is just 558 students. A few months ago I was able to take a group of pre-service teachers on a tour of the high school as I heard it was recently built and rather unique. Honestly, I was so caught off guard. Not only is it aesthetically beautiful, with natural light, flexible space, and ample room, the spaces are so carefully placed. One area that really caught me off guard was the family and consumer education spaces. I think back maybe 12 or 15 years ago, I noticed a trend of schools eliminating their family and consumer education departments, but Wisconsin Dells has moved the other way. They've bolstered that department, but think about it. Many of their students head into the hospitality industry during high school or after graduation. The space they've created is responsive to their community. Today you're meeting Erin Michalsky, family and consumer education teacher at Wisconsin Dells High School.

Please check out our show notes at HTTP://www.proudruralteacher.com for photographs and related links.