Baltimore Forest School

“And so for us right now, in urban spaces, in cities, we have a beautiful opportunity as a group of educators right now.”Terris King, IIFounder, Temple X Schools and Baltimore Forest School, former Kindergarten Teacherhttps://www.baltimoreforestschool.org/“I’m all about birth to eight years old. I believe it’s the most important time of a young person’s life.” In this week’s episode, Terris King II, founder of Temple X Schools and Baltimore Forest School, makes a bold case for reimagining early childhood education, especially for Black boys. A former kindergarten teacher shaped by faith, community, and mentorship, King has built a nature-based, trauma-informed model that moves children from screens to forests. Grounded in experiential learning and powered by public private partnerships, his work challenges the politics of traditional schooling and centers the sacred responsibility of getting the early years right.“So for us, it is our responsibility to guard the children from the chaos, create joy pathways for experience that mobilizes them to know that, like, I am empowered.” King shares how outdoor learning, participatory science, and community collaboration are transforming Baltimore by reducing crime, strengthening neighborhoods, and giving children real agency. From students speaking before lawmakers to partnerships with hospitals prescribing nature, his five-year-old movement is proof that innovation rooted in culture, faith, and joy can create systems change. For King, this moment is a beautiful opportunity for Black educators to lead boldly and build environments where children don’t just learn, but thrive.