“Some people change the world. And some people change the people who change the world, and that’s you.” ― Kij Johnson
Teachers have the daunting responsibility and awesome opportunity to shape the hearts and minds of our youth, the future stewards of our environment. Research has long linked nature as a beneficial setting and tool for educating our children, and earlier this month, local K-8 educators joined us for a teacher training and professional development workshop focused on incorporating local nature into their curriculum, both inside and outside the classroom.
The September 7th workshop was held at The Conservation Foundation’s McDonald Farm headquarters in Naperville in partnership with the DuPage Children’s Museum and The Field Museum, and offered experiential learning for the teachers in attendance, giving them the tools, know-how, and excitement to incorporate more environmentally-themed learning into their classes this school year.
The teachers became the students as they learned about nature and play-based education techniques appropriate to the ages they educate in our Sensory Garden and Children’s Garden, grew their skills in implementing inquiry and exploration techniques with local natural phenomena, and explored our Mighty Acorns environmental education and stewardship program and how they can implement it in their classrooms.
We want to thank all teachers, and especially those of you who joined us and are open to exploring creative, nature-based ways to refine your approach to teaching. You are changing the people who will change the world, and lighting a fire within them to enjoy and take care of the people and natural communities around them!
This workshop was the first of two, so all K-8 educators are welcome to join us for the second workshop coming up on Saturday, October 19th! Learn more and register here.
Many thanks to EcoLab, AXA XL, and Bosch for funding these workshops, and to the DuPage Children’s Museum and The Field Museum for their partnership in bringing this valuable learning opportunity to our local community of educators!
