183: When Directors Call in January: What Nature-Based Educators Really Need Right Now

January is a hard month in education—and winter often takes the blame.When directors call asking for ideas, strategies, or professional development, what they’re often really asking is: How do we support educators through this season?In this episode, we explore what sits beneath those January phone calls and why winter isn’t the problem it’s made out to be. Rather than offering quick fixes, this conversation focuses on what nature-based educators truly need right now: permission to slow down, validation, strong pedagogy, and reconnection to purpose.This episode is for directors, coaches, and educators navigating the long stretch of winter.In This Episode:Why January feels especially heavy in schoolsWhat schools think educators need vs. what they actually needHow winter reveals cracks rather than creating themWhy resistance is information, not failureThe shift from activities to pedagogy in winterWinter isn’t asking educators to try harder.It’s asking us to root deeper.Join the Community:Want to continue the conversation, access our workshop library, or collaborate with like-minded educators?👉 Join the CIRCLE Membership and grow into a more confident, connected outdoor classroom leader.Workshop Mentioned: Rooted in Nature: Foundations of Nature-Based Pedagogy (included in CIRCLE Membership)FREE Resource: 🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (halfway down the page)Resources & Links:🎓 Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program🎓 Outdoor Teaching Bootcamp🎓 Seasonal Masterclass Bundle (includes Exploring Nature in Winter Masterclass)🎓 Teaching Beyond Walls Capstone Course🌸 CIRCLE Membership for Educators🌿 30-Day Gratitude in Nature Challenge🌸 1-hour Online Workshop LibraryConnect with Victoria:WEBSITE: www.outdoor-classrooms.comEMAIL: [email protected]: instagram.com/outdoor_classrooms/Facebook: Facebook.com/OutdoorClassrooms1Related Episodes: Episode 4: What is Nature Pedagogy? Episode 17. Rethinking Nature Pedagogy in Higher Education with April ZakjoEpisode 124: Nature's Playlist: Weaving Frameworks, Pedagogy and Schemas into Outdoor Play