Outdoor Classrooms Podcast

The Seasons of an Outdoor Classroom: How to Adapt, Grow & Teach Through ChangeWhat happens when you plan the perfect first day in your outdoor classroom…and then it rains?In this episode, I’m taking you into the Secret Gardens Outdoor Classroom, where our first day back became a lesson in pivoting, noticing, and embracing what the season gives us.We’ll explore how changing weather, falling leaves, messy gardens, and shifting seasons can become part of the curriculum—and why an outdoor classroom is never truly finished. In this episode:Turning unexpected weather into learningFinding curriculum in seasonal changeEmbracing the “messy middle”Seeing your space through an Educator’s LensGrowing your outdoor classroom through small stepsAnd one question to take with you:What is this season asking of your outdoor classroom? Start where you are. Notice what’s changing. Take one small step.A little each day. Outdoor Classroom Resources & Links:🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (halfway down the page)🎓 Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program🌸 CIRCLE Membership Community Connect with Victoria:Website: www.outdoor-classrooms.comEmail: [email protected] Opportunities:If you believe in the power of outdoor learning and nature-based education, we'd love to partner with you. Sponsoring the Outdoor Classrooms Podcast helps support educators while connecting your organization with a passionate community of teachers, school leaders, and families.Contact Victoria at [email protected] to learn more. Subscribe to the Outdoor Classrooms PodcastIf you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast, leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts, and share this conversation with a fellow educator or parent. Your support helps more people discover the transformative power of nature-based education. Please take a moment to leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and rate or comment on Spotify. Your support makes a big difference in helping the show reach more educators!

Episode #215: Look Up: What Teaching Outdoors Can Teach Us About Attention, Screens & the Culture We CreateWhat if one of the greatest gifts of teaching outdoors is simply learning to pay attention again?In this episode, Victoria begins with an ordinary moment: sitting on the couch, surrounded by screens, and feeling frustrated that "together time" didn't actually feel very together. Then came the uncomfortable realization: she was looking at a screen too.That small moment opened a much bigger question: What culture are we participating in - and is it the culture we actually want to create?With nearly half of American teens reporting that they are online almost constantly, our relationship with screens, attention, and connection is worth examining. But this isn't an episode about blaming technology - or anyone else.It's about looking at what we model.Victoria explores how our everyday habits shape the culture children experience and why outdoor classrooms offer something increasingly valuable: a place to slow down, look up, notice, wonder, and practice paying attention to the world around us.In this episode, you'll explore:What our frustrations can reveal about what we valueThe connection between screens, attention, and presenceWhat children learn by watching the adults around themHow everyday routines quietly create classroom cultureWhy outdoor classrooms can become places to practice attentionThe difference between telling children nature matters and modeling itHow to do a simple "culture audit" of your outdoor teaching practiceWhy meaningful change can begin by changing just one thingYou don't have to eliminate screens or completely reinvent your classroom.Start by noticing.Look up. Pay attention. Change one thing.Because the small choices we repeat become our habits. Our habits create our culture. And we create the culture. Outdoor Classroom Resources & Links:🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (halfway down the page)🎓 Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program🌸 CIRCLE Membership CommunityConnect with Victoria:Website: www.outdoor-classrooms.comEmail: [email protected] Sponsorship Opportunities:If you believe in the power of outdoor learning and nature-based education, we'd love to partner with you. Sponsoring the Outdoor Classrooms Podcast helps support educators while connecting your organization with a passionate community of teachers, school leaders, and families.Contact Victoria at [email protected] to learn more. Subscribe to the Outdoor Classrooms PodcastIf you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast, leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts, and share this conversation with a fellow educator or parent. Your support helps more people discover the transformative power of nature-based education.Please take a moment to leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and rate or comment on Spotify. Your support makes a big difference in helping the show reach more educators!

The Power of Being in the Room: Why Nature-Based Educators Need Each OtherHave you ever felt like you’re swimming upstream as a nature-based educator?You believe in getting children outside. You see the learning, confidence, curiosity, and connection that happen there. But when you’re constantly explaining—or even defending—why this work matters, it can be easy to start questioning yourself.In this episode of the Outdoor Classrooms Podcast, I’m exploring the power of being in the room with people who understand the work you’re trying to do.Inspired by conversations in our Teaching Beyond Walls Capstone Course, we’ll talk about finding the language to articulate the value of nature-based education, moving from defending our practice to advocating for it, and the idea of borrowing courage from others when our own confidence wavers.Because maybe the answer isn’t to swim harder.Maybe it’s time to find your people.In this episode, we explore:Why nature-based educators can feel isolated and begin questioning their practiceHow being in the right room changes what we believe is possibleFinding the words to communicate the value of outdoor learningMoving from defending your practice to advocating for itThe power of “borrowed courage”Why community is essential for sustaining this workHow the CIRCLE Community creates space for nature-based educators to learn, share, question, and grow togetherIf you’ve been feeling like you’re doing this work alone, this episode is your invitation to get in the room.You don’t have to have all the answers. You don’t have to be the expert. And you don’t have to swim upstream alone.Find your people. Get in the room. And when you do, hold the door open for the next educator. Outdoor Classroom Resources & Links:🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (halfway down the page)🎓 Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program🌸 CIRCLE Membership Community Connect with Victoria:Website: www.outdoor-classrooms.comEmail: [email protected] Opportunities:If you believe in the power of outdoor learning and nature-based education, we'd love to partner with you. Sponsoring the Outdoor Classrooms Podcast helps support educators while connecting your organization with a passionate community of teachers, school leaders, and families.Contact Victoria at [email protected] to learn more. Subscribe to the Outdoor Classrooms PodcastIf you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast, leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts, and share this conversation with a fellow educator or parent. Your support helps more people discover the transformative power of nature-based education. Please take a moment to leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and rate or comment on Spotify. Your support makes a big difference in helping the show reach more educators!

The Messy Middle of Your Outdoor Classroom: Permission to Start SmallWhat if your outdoor classroom doesn’t need to be finished—or even close to perfect—to be meaningful?In this episode, we’re talking about two permissions every outdoor educator needs: permission to start small and permission to embrace the messy middle.It’s easy to look at a beautiful, established outdoor classroom and think you need the budget, materials, master plan, and perfect space before you can begin. But meaningful outdoor classrooms rarely happen all at once. They grow one idea, one experiment, and one small step at a time.And once you start? Things get messy. Children use materials in ways you never expected. Plants die. Plans change. Carefully designed spaces get rearranged. Something you thought children would love gets ignored—while the simplest addition captures their attention for weeks.That messy middle isn’t a sign that you’re doing it wrong. It’s where the learning happens. In this episode, we explore:Why starting small is not the same as thinking smallHow to begin with what you already haveWhy your outdoor classroom doesn’t need to look like anyone else’sWhat children’s unexpected use of a space can teach usHow to view the “mess” as information instead of failureWhy outdoor classrooms should evolve alongside the children who use themHow to recognize progress that has nothing to do with how beautiful your space looksWhen to keep going, change direction, or let an idea goWhether you’re dreaming about your first outdoor classroom, taking your first few steps, or standing right in the middle wondering if any of it is working, this conversation is for you. You don’t need the whole plan to begin.Start small. Stay curious. Let it be messy.Then take the next small step. Outdoor Classroom Resources & Links:🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (halfway down the page)🎓 Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program🌸 CIRCLE Membership Community Connect with Victoria:Website: www.outdoor-classrooms.comEmail: [email protected] Opportunities:If you believe in the power of outdoor learning and nature-based education, we'd love to partner with you. Sponsoring the Outdoor Classrooms Podcast helps support educators while connecting your organization with a passionate community of teachers, school leaders, and families.Contact Victoria at [email protected] to learn more.Subscribe to the Outdoor Classrooms PodcastIf you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast, leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts, and share this conversation with a fellow educator or parent. Your support helps more people discover the transformative power of nature-based education. Please take a moment to leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and rate or comment on Spotify. Your support makes a big difference in helping the show reach more educators!

Taking the Leap: What a Hut-to-Hut Trek in Sweden Taught Me About Outdoor Classrooms & CommunityWhat happens when you say yes before you feel completely ready?In this episode, I’m taking you along on my hut-to-hut trek through Sweden—and sharing the unexpected lessons I brought home about courage, Outdoor Classrooms, and community.Along the trail, I was reminded that we don't need to see the entire path before taking the first step. Whether you're trekking through Sweden or growing an Outdoor Classroom, sometimes you simply need to focus on the next hut.In this episode, we explore:Saying yes before you feel completely readyTaking your Outdoor Classroom one step at a timeLearning to embrace uncertainty and discomfortWhy who you walk with mattersHow the CIRCLE can be the community that walks alongside youSo, what's your next hut?You don't need to have the whole trail mapped out—and you don't have to walk it alone. Outdoor Classroom Resources & Links:🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (halfway down the page)🎓 Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program🌸 CIRCLE Membership Community Connect with Victoria:Website: www.outdoor-classrooms.comEmail: [email protected] Opportunities:If you believe in the power of outdoor learning and nature-based education, we'd love to partner with you. Sponsoring the Outdoor Classrooms Podcast helps support educators while connecting your organization with a passionate community of teachers, school leaders, and families.Contact Victoria at [email protected] to learn more. Subscribe to the Outdoor Classrooms PodcastIf you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast, leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts, and share this conversation with a fellow educator or parent. Your support helps more people discover the transformative power of nature-based education. Please take a moment to leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and rate or comment on Spotify. Your support makes a big difference in helping the show reach more educators!

Clara’s Curiosity: Foxy Friends, Nature & Wonder with Karen Belanger-Richmond What happens when a child’s curiosity leads her outside—and she discovers a family of foxes?In this episode of the Outdoor Classrooms Podcast, I’m joined by children’s author Karen Belanger-Richmond, author of Clara’s Curiosity & Her Foxy Friends.Karen shares the inspiration behind Clara’s story and how a real-life experience grew into a children’s book celebrating curiosity, observation, wildlife, and the simple magic of spending time outdoors.Together, we explore what can happen when children are given the time and space to slow down, notice what’s around them, ask questions, and follow their curiosity.In this episode, we talk about:The story behind Clara’s Curiosity & Her Foxy FriendsHow Karen’s family and experiences in Maine inspired her writingWhy curiosity is such a powerful starting point for outdoor learningHelping children observe and appreciate wildlife safely and respectfullyNature journaling, noticing, and asking, “What do you see?”Simple ways teachers and families can encourage children to become outdoor investigatorsWhat’s next for Clara and her adventuresWhether you’re an early childhood educator, teacher, parent, grandparent, or simply someone who believes children need more opportunities to wonder outdoors, this conversation is an invitation to look a little closer at the nature right outside your door.A Special Thank YouA special thank-you to Karen Belanger-Richmond and Clara’s Curiosity & Her Foxy Friends for sponsoring the Outdoor Classrooms Podcast during August, September, and October. We are grateful for Karen’s support of the Outdoor Classrooms Podcast and our mission to inspire more outdoor learning, curiosity, and connection with the natural world.Outdoor Classroom Resources & Links:🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (halfway down the page)🎓 Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program🌸 CIRCLE Membership CommunityConnect with Victoria:Website: www.outdoor-classrooms.comEmail: [email protected] Opportunities:If you believe in the power of outdoor learning and nature-based education, we'd love to partner with you. Sponsoring the Outdoor Classrooms Podcast helps support educators while connecting your organization with a passionate community of teachers, school leaders, and families.Contact Victoria at [email protected] to learn more.Subscribe to the Outdoor Classrooms PodcastIf you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast, leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts, and share this conversation with a fellow educator or parent. Your support helps more people discover the transformative power of nature-based education.Please take a moment to leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and rate or comment on Spotify. Your support makes a big difference in helping the show reach more educators!

Episode 210: Inside Nature Forward Nature Preschool: Carlos Duque on Curiosity, Confidence & BelongingWhat happens when we give children the time, space, and freedom to follow their curiosity?In this episode of the Outdoor Classrooms Podcast, Victoria Hackett sits down with Carlos Duque, Preschool Director at Nature Forward, to explore how nature-based education helps children develop confidence, empathy, resilience, and a deep sense of belonging.Drawing on his experience as a teacher, librarian, camp counselor, and school leader, Carlos shares how child-led learning comes to life in a nature preschool. Together, they discuss balancing freedom with safety, building strong relationships with families, mentoring educators, and creating learning environments where children can truly thrive.Whether you're an educator, parent, or school leader, this conversation offers practical insights and a hopeful vision for what early childhood education can become when nature is at its heart.In This Episode:Why nature-based education matters now more than everThe power of curiosity and child-led learningSupporting healthy risk-taking and resilienceBuilding confidence and belonging outdoorsPartnering with families in nature-based educationLeading a thriving nature preschoolWhat the future of outdoor learning could look likeKey TakeawayWhen children are trusted to explore, wonder, and learn in nature, they develop far more than academic skills—they grow into confident, compassionate, and resilient human beings who feel deeply connected to the world around them.Connect with Nature Forward:https://natureforward.orgOutdoor Classroom Resources & Links:🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (halfway down the page)🎓 Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program🌸 CIRCLE Membership CommunityConnect with Victoria:Website: www.outdoor-classrooms.comEmail: [email protected] Opportunities:If you believe in the power of outdoor learning and nature-based education, we'd love to partner with you. Sponsoring the Outdoor Classrooms Podcast helps support educators while connecting your organization with a passionate community of teachers, school leaders, and families.Contact Victoria at [email protected] to learn more.Subscribe to the Outdoor Classrooms PodcastIf you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast, leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts, and share this conversation with a fellow educator or parent. Your support helps more people discover the transformative power of nature-based education.Please take a moment to leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and rate or comment on Spotify. Your support makes a big difference in helping the show reach more educators!

Raising Wild Little Wonderers: How Nature Shapes Curious, Confident Children with Sophie O'Borne What if the greatest gift we can give children isn't another activity—but the freedom to wonder?In this episode of the Outdoor Classrooms Podcast, Victoria Hackett welcomes Sophie O'Borne, founder of Wild Little Wonderers, for a heartfelt conversation about raising children who are deeply connected to the natural world.Sophie shares the story behind Wild Little Wonderers and the experiences that inspired her work. Together, Victoria and Sophie explore how unhurried time outdoors nurtures curiosity, resilience, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning. They discuss the importance of stepping back as adults, trusting children to explore, and creating environments where wonder can flourish.Whether you're an educator, parent, caregiver, or simply someone who believes childhood should include muddy boots, open skies, and endless questions, this conversation offers both inspiration and practical ideas for bringing more nature into children's everyday lives.In This Episode:Sophie's journey to founding Wild Little WonderersWhy wonder is essential to healthy childhood developmentThe power of unstructured outdoor playHelping children develop confidence through natureSupporting curiosity without controlling the experiencePractical ways families and educators can reconnect children with the natural worldWhy slowing down creates deeper learningBuilding lifelong relationships with natureKey Takeaway:Children don't need perfect outdoor classrooms or elaborate activities to thrive. They need time, trust, and opportunities to experience the natural world for themselves. When we create space for wonder, children become more curious, capable, and deeply connected—to nature, to others, and to themselves.A Quote from This Episode:"Wonder isn't something we teach children. It's something we protect."Connect with Sophie O'Borne:📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wild_little_wonderers/ Connect with Outdoor Classrooms:🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (halfway down the page)🎓 Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program🌸 CIRCLE Membership Community Connect with Victoria:Website: www.outdoor-classrooms.comEmail: [email protected] Sponsorship Opportunities:If you believe in the power of outdoor learning and nature-based education, we'd love to partner with you. Sponsoring the Outdoor Classrooms Podcast helps support educators while connecting your organization with a passionate community of teachers, school leaders, and families.Contact Victoria at [email protected] to learn more. If you enjoyed this episode...Please follow the Outdoor Classrooms Podcast, leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts, and share this episode with an educator, parent, or friend who believes childhood is best experienced outdoors. Every review helps us reach more people who are passionate about reconnecting children with nature. Please take a moment to leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and rate or comment on Spotify. Your support makes a big difference in helping the show reach more educators! "When children are given the freedom to wonder, they discover far more than the world around them—they begin to discover who they are." 🌿

Episode 208: The Life We Model: What Children Learn from the Way We LiveAs outdoor educators, we spend a great deal of time thinking about what children need—but how often do we pause to consider what they are learning simply by watching us?In this reflective episode, I explore the quiet lessons we teach through the way we live. As I prepare for an upcoming hut-to-hut trek through the Swedish Highlands and put the finishing touches on my new book, Outdoor Classrooms Unlocked, I've been thinking about growth, discomfort, curiosity, and the importance of continuing to learn throughout our lives.Children notice far more than our lesson plans. They watch how we respond to challenges, whether we embrace new experiences, and how we connect with the natural world. The life we model may be one of the most powerful forms of teaching we offer.In This Episode You'll Discover:Why children learn as much from our actions as our words.How lifelong curiosity shapes the educators we become.The difference between observing life and fully participating in it.Why stepping outside our comfort zone helps us grow alongside the children we teach.How outdoor classrooms invite both children and adults to reconnect with nature, wonder, and themselves.Key TakeawayThe most meaningful lessons we teach often happen without saying a word. When we choose curiosity, embrace challenge, and remain connected to the natural world, we show children what a life of lifelong learning and wonder can look like.Connect with Victoria: Resources & Links🌿 Outdoor Classrooms: https://www.outdoor-classrooms.comEmail: [email protected]🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (halfway down the page)🎓 Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program🌸 Circle Membership Community Sponsorship Opportunities:If you believe in the power of outdoor learning and nature-based education, we'd love to partner with you. Sponsoring the Outdoor Classrooms Podcast helps support educators while connecting your organization with a passionate community of teachers, school leaders, and families.Contact Victoria at [email protected] to learn more. Please take a moment to leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and rate or comment on Spotify. Your support makes a big difference in helping the show reach more educators! If this episode resonated with you, I'd be grateful if you left a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Your support helps more educators, parents, and caregivers discover the Outdoor Classrooms Podcast and continue building meaningful connections with children through nature.

What happens when we trust children, trust nature, and trust ourselves enough to do education differently?In this episode of the Outdoor Classrooms Podcast, Victoria Hackett sits down with Mel Merchand, founder of Oro-Medonte Forest School, to explore what it really takes to build a thriving forest school and nature-based learning community.Going beyond the basics, Mel shares the behind-the-scenes realities of leading a forest school—from mentoring educators and building a strong culture to partnering with families, embracing thoughtful risk, and continually evolving as a nature-based educator.In this episode, we discuss:What most people misunderstand about forest schoolsThe behind-the-scenes work that creates meaningful outdoor learningHiring and mentoring exceptional forest school educatorsHelping families embrace child-led learning and risky playHow nature continues to shape Mel's own journey as an educatorThe future of forest schools and outdoor educationWhether you're just beginning your outdoor teaching journey or have been leading outdoor classrooms for years, this conversation will inspire you to think more deeply about what it means to trust children, trust nature, and grow alongside both.Learn more about Oro-Medonte Forest School: https://oromedonteforestschool.caExplore professional development, certification, workshops, and the CIRCLE Membership at: https://www.outdoor-classrooms.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please follow the Outdoor Classrooms Podcast, leave a review, and share it with another educator who believes children thrive when they learn in nature.Outdoor Classroom Resources & Links: 🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (halfway down the page)🎓 Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program🌸 CIRCLE Membership CommunityConnect with Victoria:Website: www.outdoor-classrooms.comEmail: [email protected] Opportunities:If you believe in the power of outdoor learning and nature-based education, we'd love to partner with you. Sponsoring the Outdoor Classrooms Podcast helps support educators while connecting your organization with a passionate community of teachers, school leaders, and families.Contact Victoria at [email protected] to learn more.Please take a moment to leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and rate or comment on Spotify. Your support makes a big difference in helping the show reach more educators!

Nature According to Children: Voices from the Secret Gardens Outdoor Classroom What do children really think about nature?In this special episode of the Outdoor Classrooms Podcast, we turn the microphone over to the children of Secret Gardens Outdoor Classroom. Through a series of mini-interviews, children share their thoughts about being outdoors, their favorite nature experiences, and what they love most about learning and playing in natural spaces.Their answers are heartfelt, humorous, insightful, and often surprising. From discovering insects and building forts to making friends and finding peaceful places to explore, these young voices remind us why nature matters.As educators, parents, and caregivers, we often talk about what children need. In this episode, we simply listen.Join host Victoria Hackett as she shares these authentic conversations and invites us to see the natural world through the eyes of a child.In This Episode:What children enjoy most about being outdoorsFavorite activities in natureHow outdoor play sparks curiosity and imaginationChildren's perspectives on learning beyond classroom wallsThe simple joys and wonders that nature providesKey Takeaway:When we take the time to listen, children remind us that nature offers more than learning opportunities—it provides wonder, freedom, connection, and joy. Connect with Outdoor Classrooms:If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with educators, parents, and anyone passionate about helping children thrive through nature-based learning.Learn more about Outdoor Classrooms and Victoria Hackett at Outdoor ClassroomsFollow the Podcast:Subscribe for weekly conversations, practical ideas, and inspiration to help children learn, grow, and thrive outdoors. 🌿 Connect with Victoria:For more conversations about outdoor learning, nature-based education, and raising connected, curious children, subscribe to The Outdoor Classrooms Podcast and share this episode with a fellow educator.Website: www.outdoor-classrooms.comEmail: [email protected] Outdoor Classroom Resources & Links: 🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (halfway down the page)🎓 Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program🌸 Circle Membership CommunitySponsorship Opportunities:If you believe in the power of outdoor learning and nature-based education, we'd love to partner with you. Sponsoring the Outdoor Classrooms Podcast helps support educators while connecting your organization with a passionate community of teachers, school leaders, and families.Contact Victoria at [email protected] to learn more.Please take a moment to leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and rate or comment on Spotify. Your support makes a big difference in helping the show reach more educators!

Episode # 205: Nature, Neuroscience & Meaning: What We’re Learning About Connection, Awe & the Developing BrainIn this episode, I explore the connection between nature, neuroscience, and meaning-making in early childhood education. Inspired by Dr. Lisa Miller’s work, I reflect on what research is beginning to show about how nature supports regulation, attention, and a sense of connection—without drifting into “woo woo,” but staying grounded in science and classroom practice.In this episode, you will learn......how nature impacts the developing brain through stress regulation and attention systems....what neuroscience says about calm, focus, and emotional regulation in outdoor environments....how emerging research connects nature experiences to meaning-making and resilience....how Dr. Lisa Miller’s work informs our understanding of connection and awareness....how educators can stay grounded in science while honoring moments of awe and connection in nature.Outdoor Classroom Resources & Links: 🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (halfway down the page)🎓 Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program🌸 CIRCLE Membership CommunityConnect with Victoria:Website: www.outdoor-classrooms.comEmail: [email protected] Opportunities:If you believe in the power of outdoor learning and nature-based education, we'd love to partner with you. Sponsoring the Outdoor Classrooms Podcast helps support educators while connecting your organization with a passionate community of teachers, school leaders, and families.Contact Victoria at [email protected] to learn more.Please take a moment to leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and rate or comment on Spotify. Your support makes a big difference in helping the show reach more educators!

Nature in the Classroom with Ernesto Rodriguez: Creating Calmer, More Focused Learning SpacesWhat if supporting children's focus, well-being, and learning could begin with the spaces where they spend their day?In this episode, Victoria Hackett sits down with Ernesto Rodriguez, founder of Nature in the Classroom, to explore how nature-inspired learning environments can help children feel calmer, more engaged, and better able to learn. Drawing on his background in school psychology, photography, and environmental education, Ernesto shares the story behind his innovative work bringing tree canopy imagery into schools and classrooms.Together, they discuss the science behind our connection to nature, the role of biophilic design in education, and why creating restorative learning environments matters now more than ever.Whether you're a classroom teacher, outdoor educator, school leader, or parent, this conversation offers practical ideas and fresh inspiration for bringing more nature into children's daily lives.In This Episode:The story behind Nature in the ClassroomWhy our brains respond so strongly to natureThe research connecting nature and attentionHow classroom environments influence learning and behaviorWhat teachers and students experience after nature-inspired transformationsThe relationship between indoor environments and outdoor learningSimple ways educators can bring more nature into their classroomsWhy nature connection is essential for children's well-beingAbout Ernesto Rodriguez:Ernesto Rodriguez is the founder of Nature in the Classroom, a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing the benefits of nature into schools through immersive tree canopy installations and nature-inspired learning environments. His work combines school psychology, photography, and environmental education to help create spaces where children can thrive.Resources:Nature in the ClassroomFacebookInstagramContact ErnestoConnect with Victoria:For more conversations about outdoor learning, nature-based education, and raising connected, curious children, subscribe to The Outdoor Classrooms Podcast and share this episode with a fellow educator.Website: www.outdoor-classrooms.comEmail: [email protected] Classroom Resources & Links: 🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (halfway down the page)🎓 Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program🌸 CIRCLE Membership CommunitySponsorship Opportunities:If you believe in the power of outdoor learning and nature-based education, we'd love to partner with you. Sponsoring the Outdoor Classrooms Podcast helps support educators while connecting your organization with a passionate community of teachers, school leaders, and families.Contact Victoria at [email protected] to learn more.Please take a moment to leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and rate or comment on Spotify. Your support makes a big difference in helping the show reach more educators!

Episode 203: Summer Outdoor Classroom Ideas Across Four Teaching GardensSummer brings a powerful shift in the outdoor classroom—but many educators find themselves wondering how to move beyond maintenance into intentional, meaningful outdoor learning.In this episode, we explore how to reimagine your outdoor classroom for summer through four “teaching gardens” that support curiosity, exploration, and nature-based learning.Rather than treating the outdoor space as one general area, this episode introduces a framework for designing outdoor environments that reflect the richness of the summer season.We explore four teaching garden lenses:🌿 Gardens that Feed🐝 Gardens that Attract Wildlife🎨 Gardens for Art and Beauty🔍 Gardens as Outdoor Learning StationsEach one offers a different way to support observation, inquiry, creativity, and connection with the natural world.This episode invites educators to shift their thinking—from managing outdoor spaces to designing living systems that inspire learning.In This Episode, You’ll Learn:Why summer outdoor learning often feels less structured for educatorsHow to move from maintaining a garden to designing teaching gardensFour ways to structure meaningful outdoor learning in summerHow nature becomes a co-teacher in your outdoor classroomWhy small shifts in design can create powerful learning opportunitiesMentioned in This Episode🌿 Exploring Nature in Summer Masterclass📅 Opens June 19A 4-week hybrid experience for educators focused on seasonal outdoor learning:Week 1: Gardens That Feed in SummerWeek 2: Gardens That Attract Wildlife in SummerWeek 3: Gardens for Art and Beauty in SummerWeek 4: Gardens as Outdoor Learning Stations in SummerReflection QuestionWhat would change in your outdoor classroom if it was designed for curiosity instead of maintenance?Outdoor Classroom Resources & Links: 🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (halfway down the page)🎓 Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program🌸 CIRCLE Membership CommunityConnect with Victoria:Website: www.outdoor-classrooms.comEmail: [email protected] Opportunities:If you believe in the power of outdoor learning and nature-based education, we'd love to partner with you. Sponsoring the Outdoor Classrooms Podcast helps support educators while connecting your organization with a passionate community of teachers, school leaders, and families.Contact Victoria at [email protected] to learn more.Please take a moment to leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and rate or comment on Spotify. Your support makes a big difference in helping the show reach more educators!

From Mud Kitchens to College GraduationOutdoor Learning, Childhood & the Growth We Don’t Always SeeThis episode connects a deeply personal moment—watching a son graduate from Cornell University—with reflections on childhood, parenting, and the long arc of development.From mud kitchens to outdoor classrooms, it explores how children grow in ways that are often invisible in the moment—but undeniable over time.In This EpisodeWhy the most important learning is often invisible while it’s happeningHow outdoor play builds resilience, curiosity, and problem-solvingThe connection between early childhood experiences and later life skillsWhy mud kitchens and loose parts are far more than “just play”How outdoor learning shapes both children and the adults who guide themKey IdeaChildhood is not a checklist of achievements—it is a long, unfolding process of becoming.And outdoor learning asks us to trust what we cannot yet measure.Episode Takeaway:From mud kitchens to college graduation - growth is always happening, even when we cannot see it yet.Outdoor Classroom Resources & Links: 🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (halfway down the page)🎓 Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program🌸 CIRCLE Membership CommunityConnect with Victoria:Website: www.outdoor-classrooms.comEmail: [email protected] take a moment to leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and rate or comment on Spotify. Your support makes a big difference in helping the show reach more educators!

Episode #201: Turn Back Time with Lisa Burris: Reclaiming Childhood Through Outdoor LearningWhat happens when children are given time, space, and freedom to connect deeply with nature?In this inspiring episode, I sit down with Lisa Burris, founder of Turn Back Time, to explore the transformative power of outdoor learning, connection, and childhood wonder.Lisa shares the story behind Turn Back Time and how her work has created meaningful experiences for children and families through nature-based education, farm experiences, and relationship-centered learning. Together, we discuss what children truly need to thrive, the importance of unstructured outdoor play, and how nature helps children build confidence, resilience, and belonging.This conversation is a beautiful reminder that childhood was never meant to happen only indoors.In This Episode, We Explore:The story behind Turn Back TimeWhy nature-based learning matters now more than everSupporting children through connection and outdoor experiencesThe role of risk, wonder, and freedom in childhoodHow outdoor learning transforms both children and educatorsThe healing power of slowing down and reconnecting with natureWhat gives Lisa hope for the future of educationWhether you are a parent, educator, or advocate for children, this episode will leave you inspired to see outdoor learning in a whole new way.Connect & Learn More from Turn Back Timewww.tbtinc.org www.facebook.com/turnbacktimeinc Instagram: @tbtfarmCall to ActionIf this episode inspired you, share it with an educator, parent, or friend who believes in the power of childhood, nature, and connection. 🔗 Connect with Outdoor Classroom Resources & Links: 🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (halfway down the page)🎓 Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program🌸 CIRCLE Membership Community Connect with Victoria:WEBSITE: www.outdoor-classrooms.comEMAIL: [email protected]: instagram.com/outdoor_classrooms/Facebook: Facebook.com/OutdoorClassrooms1 ⭐️ Enjoying the podcast?Follow, rate, and review to help others discover outdoor learning. Please take a moment to leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and rate or comment on Spotify. Your support makes a big difference in helping the show reach more educators!

Episode #200: Aging Well Through Nature: Lessons from My 93-Year-Old Mother’s GardenThis Mother’s Day, I visited my 93-year-old mother and spent time in her garden—a living, breathing oasis filled with flowers, birds, sunlight, and the quiet rhythm of seasonal change.As I watched her move through this familiar space, I found myself reflecting on something we often overlook: nature is not just for children.In this episode, I share a personal story alongside research and reflection on how nature supports healthy aging, emotional wellbeing, memory, purpose, and quality of life in older adults. From gardening to sunlight to sensory connection, we explore why outdoor spaces matter deeply across the entire lifespan.We also consider what it means to age in place surrounded by nature—and why beauty, rhythm, and connection remain essential at every age.In This EpisodeA visit to my 93-year-old mother’s gardenWhat nature offers in aging and elderhoodResearch on nature and healthy agingEmotional and cognitive benefits of gardensWhy nature matters across the lifespanKey TakeawayNature is not optional in later life—it is essential to wellbeing, connection, and how we continue to feel alive. Outdoor Classroom Resources & Links: 🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (halfway down the page)🎓 Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program🌸 CIRCLE Membership Community Connect with Victoria:Website: www.outdoor-classrooms.comEmail: [email protected] Please take a moment to leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and rate or comment on Spotify. Your support makes a big difference in helping the show reach more educators!

The Legacy You’re Already Living: Nature-Based Education, Outdoor Learning & the Power of Attention What if legacy isn’t something we leave behind—but something we build every day?In this episode, we explore how nature-based education shapes children through attention, connection, and repeated experiences outdoors. Through a story from the Secret Gardens Outdoor Classroom, a simple puddle becomes a powerful example of how curiosity, observation, and place-based learning create lasting impact.This episode is for educators and parents who want to deepen children’s relationship with the natural world—and understand how those small moments become meaningful over time.In This Episode:Rethinking legacy in educationThe role of attention in outdoor learningHow nature-based education builds connection and careWhy returning to the same place mattersHow identity forms through experiences in natureKey Takeaway:What children learn to notice, they learn to value.Reflection:What are you teaching children to notice?Closing:Small moments outdoors can shape how children see—and care for—the world.🌿 Keep noticing. 🔗 ConnectOutdoor Classroom Resources & Links: 🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (halfway down the page)🎓 Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program🌸 CIRCLE Membership Community Connect with Victoria:WEBSITE: www.outdoor-classrooms.comEMAIL: [email protected]: instagram.com/outdoor_classrooms/Facebook: Facebook.com/OutdoorClassrooms1 ⭐️ Enjoying the podcast?Follow, rate, and review to help others discover outdoor learning. Please take a moment to leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and rate or comment on Spotify. Your support makes a big difference in helping the show reach more educators!

🎧 Beyond the Front Door with José Bergeron: Small Shifts That Transform Family & Classroom Life OutdoorsWhat if the most meaningful learning—for both families and classrooms—begins just beyond the front door?In this episode, I’m joined by José Bergeron, author of Beyond the Front Door: Embracing Nature for a Happier and Healthier Family, to explore how simple, everyday moments in nature can transform the way children live, learn, and connect—at home and in school.We talk about why so many children are disconnected from the outdoors—and how small, intentional shifts can bring nature back into daily rhythms. José shares insights on child development, the power of unstructured play, and how outdoor experiences support focus, creativity, and emotional well-being.This conversation is for parents, caregivers, and educators who want to create meaningful, low-pressure ways for children to learn and thrive outside.👋 Meet JoséMeet José Bergeron, author of Beyond the Front Door: Embracing Nature for a Happier and Healthier Family. He is passionate about helping families and educators reconnect children with the natural world through simple, meaningful everyday experiences. His work centers on the idea that small shifts—stepping outside, slowing down, and making space for unstructured play—can have a powerful impact on children’s well-being, learning, and connection.🌿 In This Episode, We Explore:Why nature is essential for children’s growth—at home and in schoolSimple, doable ways to bring outdoor learning into everyday routinesThe role of unstructured play in both family life and educationHow time outside supports focus, creativity, and emotional regulationPractical ideas for educators to extend learning beyond classroom walls🔗 Connect with JoséWant to learn more from José Bergeron?Website: https://backwoodsmama.com/Instagram: @thebackwoodsmamaTikTok: @thebackwoodsmamaBook: Beyond the Front Door: Embracing Nature for a Happier and Healthier FamilyYou can also explore more of José’s writing and seasonal nature inspiration on her website, where she shares practical ideas for helping families reconnect with the outdoors year-round. Outdoor Classroom Resources & Links: 🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (halfway down the page)🎓 Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program🌸 CIRCLE Membership Community Connect with Victoria:Website: www.outdoor-classrooms.comEmail: [email protected] Please take a moment to leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and rate or comment on Spotify. Your support makes a big difference in helping the show reach more educators!

Episode #197: Playful Personalities: Designing Outdoor Classrooms that Invite Every Child InWhat if engagement in your outdoor classroom isn’t about better activities—but better design?In this episode, we explore playful personalities—the natural ways children engage with the world—and how they can become powerful on-ramps to learning. From builders and explorers to observers and storytellers, you’ll learn how to design spaces that invite every child in.With real stories and simple shifts, you’ll begin to see your outdoor classroom as a place of belonging, curiosity, and meaningful learning.🌿 In This EpisodeWhat playful personalities areWhy children engage differently outdoorsHow to design with multiple entry pointsSimple ways to make your space more inclusive💭 ReflectionWho is your space inviting in… and who might still be waiting at the edge?🔗 ConnectOutdoor Classroom Resources & Links: 🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (halfway down the page)🎓 Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program🌸 CIRCLE Membership Community Connect with Victoria:WEBSITE: www.outdoor-classrooms.comEMAIL: [email protected]: instagram.com/outdoor_classrooms/Facebook: Facebook.com/OutdoorClassrooms1 ⭐️ Enjoying the podcast?Follow, rate, and review to help others discover outdoor learning. Please take a moment to leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and rate or comment on Spotify. Your support makes a big difference in helping the show reach more educators!

Episode 196: Growing Outside with Ellen Grudzien: Trusting Children, Nature, and the ProcessWhat if the most meaningful learning doesn’t happen inside a classroom—but outside?In this episode, I’m joined by Ellen Grudzien, founder of Let’s Grow Outside NH, to explore the power of child-led learning in nature. With decades of experience in early childhood education, Ellen shares how outdoor classrooms can transform the way children learn, grow, and connect.We talk about what it really looks like to trust children, embrace all-weather learning, and create space for curiosity to lead.✨ In This Episode:The story behind Let’s Grow Outside NHWhat child-led learning looks like in practiceThe impact of outdoor education on confidence and independenceNavigating concerns around safety, weather, and academicsSimple ways to bring more nature-based learning into your day🌱 TakeawayYou don’t need a forest to get started—just a shift in mindset, a willingness to slow down, and trust in the process.🔗 Learn More from Let's Grow Outsidehttps://www.letsgrowoutsidenh.com/email to [email protected]🌼 ShareIf you enjoyed this episode, follow the show and share it with an educator or parent who believes in the power of learning beyond the classroom.Outdoor Classroom Resources & Links: 🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (halfway down the page)🎓 Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program🌸 CIRCLE Membership Community Connect with Victoria:WEBSITE www.outdoor-classrooms.comEMAIL: [email protected] take a moment to leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and rate or comment on Spotify. Your support makes a big difference in helping the show reach more educators!

🌿 How Outdoor Classrooms Are Rewiring the Way We Think: The Nature Embedded Mind with Julie BramsWhat if the way we think—and teach—could actually heal both ourselves and the planet?In this episode, I sit down with Julie Brams, author of The Nature Embedded Mind, to explore how a “nature embedded mind” can transform education, outdoor classrooms, and the way children—and adults—relate to the world around them.We dive into why outdoor classrooms aren’t just a nice-to-have—they’re a powerful tool for reshaping thinking, fostering connection, and inspiring curiosity. Julie shares insights on how reconnecting with nature influences how we learn, play, and solve problems, and why this matters now more than ever.✨ In this episode, you’ll discover:What a “nature embedded mind” really means and why it mattersHow outdoor classrooms can shape not just learning, but thinking itselfHow children naturally understand connection—and how educators can nurture itSimple ways teachers can bring this mindset into daily practiceWhy reconnecting with nature is key to healing ourselves and our planetThis conversation is an invitation to step outside—literally and metaphorically—and see how thinking differently can open up new possibilities for teaching, learning, and living. 🌱 Julie Brams Resources & LinksLearn more about Julie Brams and The Nature Embedded Mind HEREwww.experienceelemental.comIG @juliebramslmftFB Julie Brams LMFT- Psychotherapy & Insight [email protected] Outdoor Classroom Resources & Links: 🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (halfway down the page)🎓 Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program🌸 CIRCLE Membership Community Connect with Victoria:WEBSITE: www.outdoor-classrooms.comEMAIL: [email protected]: instagram.com/outdoor_classrooms/Facebook: Facebook.com/OutdoorClassrooms1Please take a moment to leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and rate or comment on Spotify. Your support makes a big difference in helping the show reach more educators!

🎙️ The Outdoor Classroom Is Already Beautiful: Noticing & Using What’s Around You🌿 After a trip to Ithaca, New York and its stunning waterfalls, I found myself reflecting on why nature feels so powerful when we travel—but so easy to overlook at home.In this episode, I explore how to bring that same sense of awe into our outdoor classrooms, no matter where we are. Because meaningful outdoor learning isn’t about the location—it’s about how we help students notice, slow down, and connect.✨ In This Episode:Why awe matters in learningHow to reframe everyday outdoor spacesSimple ways to build noticing and wonder with students💭 Key TakeawayThe magic isn’t in the place—it’s in the noticing.⭐ Enjoyed This Episode?Follow, rate, and share to help more educators bring learning outside. Join the Outdoor Classrooms 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. FREE Outdoor Classroom Resources: 🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (halfway down the page) Outdoor Classroom Resources & Links:🎓 Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program🎓 Outdoor Teaching Bootcamp🎓 Seasonal Masterclass Bundle🎓 Teaching Beyond Walls Capstone Course🌸 CIRCLE Membership for Educators🌿 30-Day Gratitude in Nature Challenge🌸 1-hour Online Workshop Library Connect with Victoria:WEBSITE: www.outdoor-classrooms.comEMAIL: [email protected]: instagram.com/outdoor_classrooms/Facebook: Facebook.com/OutdoorClassrooms1Please take a moment to leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and rate or comment on Spotify. Your support makes a big difference in helping the show reach more educators!

🎙️ What If? Reimagining Education Through Play, Nature, and Possibility🌿 Episode DescriptionWhat if we let children be children… a little longer?After returning from a guest speaking experience at Endicott College, this episode reflects on the power of play—not just in early childhood, but across all ages.Through storytelling, real classroom experiences, and thought-provoking questions, we explore what might be possible if we reimagined education through play, nature, and trust in development.What if reading instruction didn’t begin so early?What if every child had access to an outdoor classroom?What if future teachers were trained to teach beyond four walls?This is an invitation to pause, reflect, and consider a different path forward—one rooted in curiosity, connection, and the simple, powerful act of play.🌱 In This Episode, We Explore:The experience of bringing play into a college classroomWhy play matters for older elementary students, adolescents, and adultsThe hesitation—and transformation—when adults are invited to playWhat we can learn from education systems in Norway and FinlandThe connection between outdoor learning, mental health, and engagementHow small shifts in teaching can create meaningful changeWhy play is not a break from learning—but the learning itself🌍 Key TakeawaysPlay does not have an age limit—it is a lifelong human needOutdoor learning supports focus, resilience, and well-beingDelaying formal academics does not mean delaying successEducators don’t need to change everything—small moments matterReconnecting with play can transform both teaching and learning🌼 Reflection QuestionsTake a moment to pause and reflect:What is one memory you have of playing outdoors as a child?When was the last time you experienced unstructured play?What might shift if you brought one small moment of play into your day?What is one “What if?” question you are holding about education?🌿 Try ThisThis week, try one small step:Take a lesson or moment outsideOffer open-ended materials (sticks, stones, leaves)Allow space for curiosity to leadObserve what changes—both in yourself and othersSubscribe & ShareIf you enjoyed this episode of Outdoor Classroom Podcast, be sure to subscribe and share it with a fellow educator, parent, or nature-loving friend.Please take a moment to leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and rate or comment on Spotify. Your support makes a big difference in helping the show reach more educators!Join the Outdoor Classrooms 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.FREE Outdoor Classroom Resource: 🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (halfway down the page)Outdoor Classroom 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/OutdoorClassrooms1

Episode 192: Behind the Pages: The Making of Outdoor Classrooms UnlockedEver wonder what it takes to bring a book to life? In this episode, I take you behind the pages of my upcoming book, Outdoor Classrooms Unlocked: The 5 Phases of Confident Outdoor Teaching Across 4 Types of Teaching Gardens.I share the full journey—from the first spark of an idea, to writing and editing the manuscript, gathering feedback from early readers, and even selecting a cover that captures the heart of teaching outdoors. Along the way, you’ll hear stories, surprises, and reflections from my experience as an outdoor educator and author.We also explore how the 5 Phases of outdoor teaching and 4 types of teaching gardens shaped the structure and vision of the book, giving insight into not just what the book is, but how it grew and evolved over time.Whether you’re an educator, aspiring author, or just curious about the creative process, this episode offers a story-driven look at the making of a book, with lessons, reflections, and inspiration for anyone bringing an idea to life.What You’ll Hear in This Episode:How the book concept came to life and evolved over timeReflections on the manuscript editing processStories and feedback from early readersThe journey of designing the book cover and illustrationsInsights from the 5 Phases and 4 Teaching Gardens frameworkLessons learned as a teacher and authorLinks & Resources:Join the Outdoor Classrooms 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.FREE Outdoor Classroom Resource: 🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (halfway down the page)Outdoor Classroom 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/OutdoorClassrooms1

Over the past few months, I’ve been playing a lot of Sudoku. What began as a simple puzzle quickly became something much more meaningful. As I struggled through Easy puzzles and eventually unlocked the Master level, I began to notice something fascinating: the mindset needed to solve Sudoku is remarkably similar to the mindset needed to teach outdoors.Episode 191: Finding the Openings: What Sudoku Taught Me About Teaching OutdoorsIn this episode of Outdoor Classroom News, I explore the surprising parallels between solving puzzles and guiding children in nature. Both require patience, curiosity, experimentation, and the willingness to keep trying even when things don’t immediately make sense.Drawing from real moments in our Secret Gardens Outdoor Classroom Nature Classes, I share how children naturally approach learning the same way we approach puzzles—by noticing openings, testing ideas, and persisting through challenges.If you’ve ever felt stuck trying to bring more outdoor learning into your work with children, this episode offers a refreshing reminder: sometimes the solution appears when we shift our perspective and take the next small step.In This EpisodeHow a simple Sudoku puzzle became a lesson in mindset and persistenceWhy “looking for openings” is a powerful strategy in outdoor educationStories from Secret Gardens Outdoor Classroom Nature ClassesHow experimentation and curiosity fuel children’s learning in natureWhy persistence is one of the most valuable skills children develop outdoorsHow shifting perspective can unlock new possibilities in teaching and learningReflection QuestionsAs you listen, consider these questions:Where are the “openings” in your classroom or outdoor space right now?What small experiment could you try with children this week?When have you seen persistence lead to a breakthrough in learning?Listener ChallengeThis week, try this simple practice:Notice an opening — a child’s curiosity, a seasonal change, or a moment of wonder in nature.Experiment — follow that curiosity and see where it leads.Persist — allow time for discovery and growth.Just like solving a puzzle, meaningful learning often happens one small step at a time.Subscribe & ShareIf you enjoyed this episode of Outdoor Classroom News, be sure to subscribe and share it with a fellow educator, parent, or nature-loving friend.And remember:The next breakthrough—whether in a puzzle or an outdoor classroom—may be just one opening away.Join the Outdoor Classrooms 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.FREE Outdoor Classroom Resource: 🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (halfway down the page)Outdoor Classroom 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/OutdoorClassrooms1

Growing Wins: Celebrating Success in the Outdoor ClassroomIn this episode, we explore the importance of celebrating our wins—big and small—and why pausing to acknowledge accomplishments can transform the way we approach life, learning, and growth. Drawing inspiration from outdoor classrooms, we reflect on how children celebrate curiosity, effort, and discovery, and how we can do the same in our own lives.From submitting a major project to noticing small everyday successes, celebration fuels motivation, joy, and self-confidence. Join me as we uncover practical ways to mark your achievements, connect with nature, and create intentional moments of recognition.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why celebration is essential for personal growth, resilience, and joy.Lessons from outdoor classrooms: how children naturally celebrate small successes—and what we can learn from them.Practical ways to celebrate wins, including reflection, rituals, shared joy, and connecting with nature.Fun and inspiring stories from outdoor classrooms and personal experiences.Reflection exercises to help you honor your accomplishments every day.Listener Takeaways / Reflection Prompts:Think of one win—big or small—that you haven’t fully celebrated yet. How does it feel to acknowledge it?Create a simple ritual to mark your achievements, like planting a “win seed” in your outdoor classroom or journaling a moment of pride.Share a success with someone else to amplify the joy.Quote to Inspire You:"Every plant in a garden gets sunlight, water, and attention. Every win in your life deserves the same."Celebrate with us and learn how pausing to honor progress can cultivate growth, joy, and resilience in your own life.Join the Outdoor Classrooms 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.FREE Outdoor Classroom Resource: 🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (halfway down the page)Outdoor Classroom 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/OutdoorClassrooms1

Episode 189: CIRCLE Roundtable Reflections: What Happens When Educators Truly BelongIn the middle of an East Coast blizzard, our monthly CIRCLE Roundtable began.Some logged in right on time.Others arrived late.One joined after watching a tree fall on her outdoor classroom.And still… they showed up.This episode reflects on that unusual night — and what it revealed about community, commitment, and belonging.CIRCLE isn’t a masterclass. There are no slides or lessons. It’s a space for support, laughter, honest conversation, and real relationship.In this episode, we explore:What it means to show up imperfectlyWhy educators need spaces where they aren’t performingHow storms reveal cultureThe quiet power of gathering — even when things feel uncertainWho are you showing up for?And who is showing up for you?🌱 Because when we cultivate gardens, we cultivate belonging.Join the Outdoor Classrooms 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.FREE Outdoor Classroom Resource: 🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (halfway down the page)Outdoor Classroom 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/OutdoorClassrooms1

Episode 188: Follow the Water: Story, Survival & Science in the Outdoor Classroom with Ellen CochraneWhat happens when a true survival story becomes a doorway into science, resilience, and deep connection to the natural world?In this episode, I’m joined by Ellen Cochrane, author of Follow the Water—the gripping true story of Juliane Koepcke, a 17-year-old who survived alone in the Amazon rainforest by following the river.Ellen writes immersive nonfiction that trusts young readers—their intelligence and their emotions. Together, we explore how powerful storytelling can live inside outdoor classrooms, how science becomes real through narrative, and how stories of survival invite children to see weather, rivers, and forests as teachers.This conversation weaves literacy, nature, and courage into one beautiful thread.🌱 A portion of proceeds supports the Panguana Foundation.Meet Ellen:Ellen Cochrane writes immersive nonfiction for young readers that trusts their intelligence and their emotions. Her debut, “Follow the Water,” tells the true story of 17-year-old Juliane Koepcke’s survival in the Amazon. It’s an adventure that reads like a thriller and teaches how science lives in the world: weather, rivers, canopy, and the choices that keep us alive.A longtime middle school teacher of English, English learners, Spanish, and Russian, Ellen brings classroom clarity and compassion to complex topics. She studied science writing at Johns Hopkins, is a certified California Naturalist, and previously wrote a syndicated column exploring the natural world. As a teen exchange student she lived in Lima, Peru, and traveled the same route into the jungle that frames Juliane’s story.Contact Ellen:www.ellencochrane.com | Facebook: @CochraneEllen | Instagram: @EllenMCochrane | TikTok: @AuthorTalkJoin the Outdoor Classrooms 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.FREE Outdoor Classroom Resource: 🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (halfway down the page)Outdoor Classroom 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/OutdoorClassrooms1

From Seed to Sanctuary: Cultivating Garden-Centered Classrooms with Sara RubensWhat if your classroom didn’t just have a garden… but was shaped by one?In this episode of the Outdoor Classrooms Podcast, Victoria sits down with Sara Rubens, author of A Love Letter for a Garden-Centered Life, to explore how gardens can become living, breathing learning environments for children.Together, they discuss:What it truly means to live — and teach — a garden-centered lifeHow gardens support inquiry, literacy, science, and social-emotional growthCreating rhythms and rituals that connect children to the landTurning any outdoor space into a sanctuary for learningSarah shares how tending a garden mirrors the work of educators: planting seeds, nurturing growth, trusting seasons, and believing in what is not yet visible.Whether you’re building a school garden, reimagining your outdoor classroom, or simply longing to deepen children’s connection to nature, this conversation will inspire you to see your teaching space differently.🌱 Because when we cultivate gardens, we cultivate belonging.Join the Outdoor Classrooms 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.FREE Outdoor Classroom Resource: 🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (halfway down the page)Outdoor Classroom 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/OutdoorClassrooms1

🌱 Episode 186: Growing a Greener Future with CitySprouts: Pubic School Gardens for Teaching & LearningIn this episode, Victoria talks with Alex Frank of CitySprouts about how school gardens function as both science labs and creative spaces. Together, they explore how urban school gardens cultivate curiosity, connection, and meaningful learning experiences for students and educators alike—while growing a greener future from the ground up.🌿 In This Episode, We Explore:Why school gardens are both a science and an artHow hands-on garden learning sparks curiosity and wonder in studentsWhat makes urban school gardens powerful spaces for learning and communityThe role of after-school and summer programs in deepening garden-based learningHow educators and gardeners build momentum together through shared practice and collaboration🌼 Meet Alex:Alex Frank is the Senior Program Manager at CitySprouts, an urban gardening nonprofit based in Cambridge and Boston. CitySprouts’ mission is to cultivate curiosity and wonder in students through hands-on science learning in their own schoolyard gardens.Alex oversees CitySprouts’ Green Team program, a tuition-free afterschool and summer initiative that provides teens with opportunities to work learn outdoors in their own communities—building skills and experience that support future green education and career pathways.He also coordinates the Boston-Area School Gardens Conference, a professional development gathering that brings educators, gardeners, and community partners together to share best practices and strengthen the urban school garden movement.🌼 Contact Alex:You can follow our Facebook, Instagram (@citysproutsma), and LinkedIn pages, as well as explore our website (citysprouts.org) for information, curriculum, blogposts, and more!🌿🌿🌿Join the Outdoor Classrooms 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.FREE Outdoor Classroom Resource: 🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (halfway down the page)Outdoor Classroom 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/OutdoorClassrooms1

In Sync with Nature: Lessons in Rhythm, Pause, and PresenceIn this reflective episode, we explore what the natural world can teach us about staying in sync—especially for educators and caregivers who spend their days responding to the needs of others.Nature is not balanced because it avoids disruption, but because it integrates it. Through seasons, storms, rest, and regeneration, the natural world offers powerful lessons about rhythm, timing, and presence—lessons that are often easy to forget in professions built around constant giving.Recorded during a season of personal vulnerability, this episode invites listeners to look to nature as a teacher rather than a backdrop. It’s a reminder that pauses are not interruptions, and slowing down is not a failure—it’s part of how balance is restored.This conversation is for educators and caregivers who feel stretched, tender, or out of sync, and are longing to return to a rhythm that feels sustainable and true.In this episode, we explore:What nature teaches us about rhythm, seasons, and timingWhy pause is an essential part of balance, not a disruptionHow presence helps educators and caregivers stay aligned while holding so muchLiving in response rather than resistanceLearning to listen—when life slows us downReflection for listeners:What might change if we trusted rhythm instead of rushing it?In this reflective episode, we explore what the natural world can teach us about staying in sync—especially for educators and caregivers who spend their days responding to the needs of others.Nature is not balanced because it avoids disruption, but because it integrates it. Through seasons, storms, rest, and regeneration, the natural world offers powerful lessons about rhythm, timing, and presence—lessons that are often easy to forget in professions built around constant giving.Recorded during a season of personal vulnerability, this episode invites listeners to look to nature as a teacher rather than a backdrop. It’s a reminder that pauses are not interruptions, and slowing down is not a failure—it’s part of how balance is restored.This conversation is for educators and caregivers who feel stretched, tender, or out of sync, and are longing to return to a rhythm that feels sustainable and true.In this episode, we explore:What nature teaches us about rhythm, seasons, and timingWhy pause is an essential part of balance, not a disruptionHow presence helps educators and caregivers stay aligned while holding so muchLiving in response rather than resistanceLearning to listen—when life slows us downReflection for listeners:What might change if we trusted rhythm instead of rushing it?Join the Outdoor Classrooms 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.FREE Outdoor Classroom Resource: 🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (halfway down the page)Outdoor Classroom 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/OutdoorClassrooms1

184: Imperfect Sustainability: Building Environmental Literacy in the Outdoor Classroom with Alexa PavanWhat does sustainability look like in the outdoor classroom—without the pressure to be perfect?In this episode, Victoria talks with sustainability advocate and content creator Alexa Pavan about weaving environmental and sustainability literacy into outdoor classrooms in meaningful, accessible ways. Together, they explore how outdoor learning can help children understand their connection to the planet while modeling curiosity, care, and progress over perfection.🌿 Meet Alexa:Alexa Pavan is an imperfect sustainability advocate, eco content creator, and writer for sustainable businesses and environmental organizations. With a background in Biomedical Science and Public Health, she makes climate and environmental topics more approachable for everyday Americans through fun, light, and practical content. Alexa is especially passionate about composting, ocean conservation, and protecting both the planet and the people who inhabit it.🌿 Contact Alexa:https://www.instagram.com/gogreenwithalexahttps://www.youtube.com/@gogreenwithalexawww.gogreenwithalexa.comhello@gogreenwithalexa.comJoin the Outdoor Classrooms 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. FREE Outdoor Classroom Resource: 🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (halfway down the page)Outdoor Classroom 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/OutdoorClassrooms1

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

Episode 182: "Oh, The Places You Will Go" – Ocean State Kids with Marial LeisgeJoin us for a behind-the-scenes tour with Marial Leisge, founder of Ocean State Kids, a nonprofit supporting parents as their child’s most influential teacher. In this Circle Member Tour & Talk, we explore the many programs Ocean State Kids offers across Rhode Island, from outdoor learning spaces to hands-on experiences that nurture curiosity, creativity, and connection in children.💡 Circle Members get exclusive access to the full photo tour! Become a member today to go behind the scenes and see how Ocean State Kids empowers families to support their children’s growth.Inside this episode, you’ll discover:Stories and photos from Ocean State Kids’ programs across Rhode Island.How Marial fosters exploration, independence, and playful learning.Inspiration for parents, educators, and caregivers to create meaningful, nature-based experiences for children.About Marial Leisge:Marial Leisge is the founder of Ocean State Kids, a thriving community that helps parents become their child’s most influential teacher. A former branding and marketing professional, she shifted her career to education after her own journey into motherhood inspired a passion for supporting children and families in new, intentional ways.Marial is a CIRCLE Member and part of the Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification program, deepening her expertise in nature-based learning, child development, and inclusive education. Her experiences as a mother to her son Otto, a Gestalt Language Processor, have shaped her approach to creating programs that honor children’s unique learning styles, foster confidence, and encourage curiosity.Whether she’s leading outdoor programs, crafting parent-centered workshops, or simply enjoying a moment of wonder with her own family, Marial is dedicated to building communities where children can explore, grow, and thrive—and where parents are empowered to guide them every step of the way.🎧 Tune in and see the places young learners—and their guides—can go!🌱 A Note for Potential SponsorsAs we head into 2026, Outdoor Classrooms is seeking values-aligned sponsors who believe in nature-based education, community-centered learning, and teaching beyond walls.If that sounds like you—or someone you know—we’d love to connect.🔗 Learn More & Stay Connected:FREE Resource: www.outdoor-classrooms.com🌿 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/OutdoorClassrooms1

In this heartfelt episode, we celebrate the life and legacy of Juliet Robertson, a passionate advocate for outdoor learning and play. Juliet inspired countless educators to embrace messy, hands-on experiences and to see the natural world as a classroom full of wonder.We reflect on her approach to teaching outdoors, her dedication to supporting teachers, and the joy she brought to children and adults alike. This episode is a tribute to her vision: that learning is richest when it’s playful, engaging, and a little bit messy.What You’ll Hear in This Episode:Stories that capture Juliet’s infectious curiosity and joy for learning.Reflections on the impact she had on the outdoor education community.Insights into why embracing mess, exploration, and wonder matters in teaching.Whether you knew Juliet personally or are discovering her work for the first time, this episode is a celebration of her spirit and the enduring mark she leaves on educators and learners everywhere.Resources & Links:Juliet Robertson’s Resources – Explore her thoughts on outdoor learning and play.CREATIVE STAR LEARNINGReflection PromptWhere might you loosen your grip and allow learning to unfold more freely?Quote“Learning is not something we control—it is something we make space for.”— Inspired by Juliet RobertsonJoin 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.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 Library🎧 Episode 36, Messy Maths with Juliet RobertsonConnect with Victoria:WEBSITE: www.outdoor-classrooms.comEMAIL: [email protected]: instagram.com/outdoor_classrooms/Facebook: Facebook.com/OutdoorClassrooms1

In this special reflective episode, I pause to look back on 2025—a year filled with growth, connection, creativity, and community inside Outdoor Classrooms.Rather than an interview, this episode is an invitation to slow down. Together, we reflect on what it truly means to build outdoor classrooms over time—with intention, curiosity, and care—while looking ahead to what’s taking root for 2026.🎙 In This Episode, You’ll Hear About:🌱 Beginning and ending 2025 with the Outdoor Teaching BootcampHow starting—and closing—the year with Bootcamp created a powerful, cyclical rhythm for educators moving through the Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program.🌸 Life in the Secret GardensParent/child classes, drop-off afterschool programs, birthday celebrations, an art show, and what it looks like when children and adults are given space to truly slow down and connect with nature.🔵 Teaching Beyond Walls Capstone & Certification MilestonesCelebrating our first graduates, their powerful capstone projects, and the ever-growing Graduate Testimonials page.🏫 Professional Development & Conference PresentationsTraining with Evergreen Day School (Cambridge, MA), Roots and Wings Nature School (NH), Brookwood School (Beverly,Ma) and presentations at Natural Start and MEES.🎧 179 Podcast Episodes & a Growing Listener CommunityReflections on the Outdoor Classrooms Podcast, reaching over 1,000 listeners each month, and what these conversations mean moving forward.🌿 CIRCLE Membership highlights12 new workshops added in 202512 books read togetherMonthly Roundtable discussionsSeasonal masterclasses: Exploring Nature in Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall ✍️ Personal milestonesWriting and submitting the first draft of my book, traveling to Acadia National Park and Joshua Tree, and how place continues to shape this work. 🌟 Looking Ahead to 2026In the final portion of the episode, I share what’s guiding me into the new year:A commitment to documenting 2026 with one video a dayUsing nature as a healing and reflective tool through seasonal living, cooking from the garden, intentional walks, journaling, and habit-buildingExpanding CIRCLE Gatherings in the Secret Gardens to deepen community connectionPreparing the January edition of the CIRCLE Chronicle, including:Our 2026 book list for Roundtable Discussions12 new monthly workshop topicsExploring opportunities to connect the Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program with higher education pathwaysSeeking like-minded sponsors for the Outdoor Classrooms Podcast to help reach even more educators while staying deeply aligned with our values💬 Featured Reflections from the Community:“This podcast reminds me why I became a teacher. It grounds me and gives me permission to slow down.”“This program gave me language for what I already felt in my bones.”“CIRCLE feels like professional development that also feeds my soul.”🌱 A Note for Potential SponsorsAs we head into 2026, Outdoor Classrooms is seeking values-aligned sponsors who believe in nature-based education, community-centered learning, and teaching beyond walls.If that sounds like you—or someone you know—we’d love to connect. 🔗 Learn More & Stay ConnectedFREE 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🎓 Teaching Beyond Walls Capstone Course🌸 CIRCLE Membership for Educators🌿 30-Day Gratitude in Nature Challenge🌸 1-hour Online Workshop Library Connect with Victoria:WEBSITE: www.outdoor-classrooms.comEMAIL: [email protected]: instagram.com/outdoor_classrooms/Facebook: Facebook.com/OutdoorClassrooms1 ✨ Closing Thought2026 is shaping up to be a year of growth, connection, courage, and adventure.Thank you for being part of this journey—and for continuing to teach beyond walls.

In this episode, Victoria guides educators through an inspiring and actionable journey of setting meaningful New Year goals for their Outdoor Classroom using the Four Types of Teaching Gardens:Gardens that FeedGardens that Attract WildlifeGardens for Art and BeautyGardens as Outdoor Learning StationsBuilding on the reflective questions shared in the latest Seedling News PDF, this episode brings those prompts to life—helping you turn reflection into a clear, garden-centered plan for the year ahead. In This Episode, You’ll Learn:🌱 Why goal-setting mattersHow intention, not perfection, shapes a thriving Outdoor Classroom.🥕 How to develop goals for Gardens that FeedIdeas for edible planting, cultural foods, composting, and hands-on culinary rituals for kids.🦋 Ways to invite more wildlife into your spaceTips for creating habitat, expanding native plantings, and supporting children as citizen scientists.🎨 How to cultivate beauty, creativity, and art outdoorsFrom color gardens to nature looms, this segment explores aesthetic and sensory-rich garden features that nurture imagination.🔍 How to strengthen your Outdoor Learning StationsPractical strategies for evolving your mud kitchen, literacy areas, STEM zones, and sensory spaces.🗂 How to build a simple, seasonal action planVictoria walks you through choosing ONE goal for each garden type—and spreading those steps across winter and spring.Reflection Questions Featured:What do you want your outdoor classroom to become this year?Which plants, wildlife, art elements, or learning stations most engaged children last season?What do you want children to feel, experience, and discover in each garden area?What support or structure will help you bring your goals to life?Resources Mentioned:Seedling News Reflective PDF – Use it alongside this episode to map out your yearThe Four Types of Teaching Gardens Framework: Learn more in our Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification ProgramCIRCLE Membership Community – For educators ready to grow deeper and connect with others on the same journeyJoin 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. 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/OutdoorClassrooms1

Winter is often seen as a season to endure—but what if it’s actually a season that gives? In this episode of the Outdoor Classrooms Podcast, Victoria Hackett explores how winter can support children’s development, emotional regulation, and creativity, while also offering adults a chance to slow down, recalibrate, and reconnect with the natural rhythms of the world. We’ll talk about:The state of childhood today and how screens and busy schedules have disconnected children from the seasons.What nature teaches us about winter and the importance of slowing down.How embracing winter benefits children’s resilience, creativity, and emotional well-being.Why adults benefit from leaning into the season too—and how modeling curiosity matters.A simple winter philosophy for educators and parents: dress well, notice more, slow down, and follow the children.If you’re ready to move beyond winter survival and embrace it as a partner in learning, this episode is for you.🎓 Go Deeper with the Exploring Nature in Winter Masterclass If this episode inspires you, you can explore winter more intentionally through our Exploring Nature in Winter Masterclass, opening January 2. The first LIVE session is January 8 from 7:00–8:00 pm EST. This four-week course is part of our Seasonal Masterclass Bundle—buy one and get all four seasonal courses—or as part of the Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program.Resources & Links:Exploring Nature in Winter MasterclassOutdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification ProgramFollow & Connect:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/outdoor_classrooms/Facebook: Outdoor ClassroomsWebsite: www.outdoor-classrooms.comKey Takeaways:Winter is not a dead season—it’s regenerative and full of learning opportunities.Children need stillness, sensory experiences, and seasonal rhythms for healthy development.Adults modeling curiosity and presence outdoors helps children thrive.Slowing down, noticing, and following the children is the most powerful winter philosophy.Listener Challenge:This week, step outside with your children (or your students) and pause for five minutes. Notice one small change in the landscape, one sound, or one texture that tells the story of winter. Share your observations in the comments or on social media with #OutdoorClassroomsPodcast.

In this episode, Becca from Good Natured Learning shares how her work has expanded from Colorado to Kenya, piloting Outdoor Learning Collaborations in two schools within Nairobi’s informal settlements. She breaks down the Spaces–Systems–Skills model, the power of co-creation with teachers and communities, and the vision to bring this work to 12+ Kenyan schools in 2026. 🎬 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:Why Good Natured Learning began and how it’s evolved across continentsWhat nature-based learning looks like in Colorado vs. KenyaHow Outdoor Learning Collaborations bring nature access to schools with little green spaceThe impact of rooftop “living classrooms” in Kibera and MathareHow co-creation with teachers strengthens ownership and sustainabilityThe vision for expanding to 12+ schools in 2026—and who’s needed to make it possibleSimple ways educators can bring nature into learning anywhere 👤 Meet BeccaBecca is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Good Natured Learning. A nature-based educator for over two decades, she has worked across the U.S. and Kenya to integrate outdoor learning, redesign school systems, and co-create inclusive, nature-connected learning environments. With both Stanford training and years of wilderness experience, she’s committed to making nature-based learning accessible, meaningful, and transformative for all schools.Contact Becca: EMAIL: [email protected] Outdoor Classroom Resources & Links:🌿 Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program🌸 CIRCLE Membership for Educators🎓 Teaching Beyond Walls Capstone CourseCONNECT WITH VICTORIA:WEBSITE: www.outdoor-classrooms.comEMAIL: [email protected]: instagram.com/outdoor_classrooms/Facebook: Facebook.com/OutdoorClassrooms1

In this episode of the Outdoor Classrooms Tour and Talk, we embark on an inspiring journey with Martha Burke, the visionary Founding Director of Heartwood Nature School in West Newbury. Nestled on an 18-acre Christmas tree farm, surrounded by the serene expanses of Fish and Game land, Heartwood is a testament to Martha's passion for outdoor education.Episode Highlights:Heartwood's Humble Beginnings: Discover how Martha transformed her backyard woods into a nurturing educational environment with just a bell tent and a small group of six children in 2020.Growth and Expansion: Learn about the school's remarkable growth, now featuring two yurts and serving approximately 60 children annually with a dedicated staff of eight.Educational Philosophy: Martha shares her philosophy on the importance of outdoor education and the unique experiences Heartwood offers.Challenges and Triumphs: Hear about the challenges Martha faced in building Heartwood and the triumphs that have made the journey worthwhile.A Day in the Life: Get a glimpse into a typical day at Heartwood, where the love for nature and learning go hand in hand.Future Vision: Martha discusses her future plans for Heartwood and her aspirations for outdoor education.Join us as we explore Martha's dedication to fostering a love for nature in children and creating a vibrant outdoor learning community. Whether you're an educator, parent, or nature enthusiast, this episode offers valuable insights and inspiration.Meet Martha: Martha is the Founding Director of Heartwood Nature School in West Newbury. Her school operates on an 18-acre Christmas tree farm surrounded by countless acres of Fish and Game land. She started Heartwood in 2020 with a bell tent in her backyard woods and a pod of six beloved children. Today, she has two yurts and serves roughly 60 children a year with her staff of 8. She loves nothing more than time in the woods with kids.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🎓 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/OutdoorClassrooms1

In this episode, I explore why gratitude and time outdoors aren’t just “nice practices” — they’re essential. We look at the growing research showing how gratitude reshapes attention, mood, and connection, and how nature calms the nervous system, lowers stress, and restores our ability to focus. When you combine the two, the effects strengthen each other in ways that support real emotional resilience. This is simple, accessible, evidence-backed mental health care you can practice every day.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:• Why gratitude is more than a positive mindset — it’s a proven mental-health tool • How nature lowers stress and restores clarity, even in short doses • The powerful way these two practices reinforce each other • What researchers are discovering about resilience, mood, and attention • Why this isn’t optional — it’s essential • A personal invitation to join my 30-Day Gratitude in Nature Challenge Key Takeaways• Gratitude helps train your mind away from constant threat and toward what supports you • Nature quickly lowers physiological stress and resets attention • Together, these practices create a feedback loop that strengthens well-being • These are small, doable habits with big impacts • You don’t need hours outside or perfect conditions — consistency is what matters • These practices are being taken seriously by researchers for a reason: they workJoin the 30-Day Gratitude in Nature Email ChallengeI’ve created a simple, structured 30-day email challenge to help you build this powerful habit into your daily life. It’s grounded in what the research tells us about consistency, reflection, and the amount of contact needed to create real change.🔗 You can sign up HERE: https://www.outdoor-classrooms.com/product/30-day-gratitude-in-nature-challenge/ Resources & Links:🌿 Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program🌸 CIRCLE Membership for Educators🎓 Teaching Beyond Walls Capstone CourseCONNECT WITH VICTORIA:WEBSITE: www.outdoor-classrooms.comEMAIL: [email protected]: instagram.com/outdoor_classrooms/Facebook: Facebook.com/OutdoorClassrooms1

In this episode of The Outdoor Classrooms Podcast, we sit down with filmmaker and storyteller Juliet Grable, co-creator of the powerful documentary In Our Nature. Juliet and her creative partner, James Parker, have captured the extraordinary ways people are reconnecting with the natural world—one story at a time.Together, we explore the inspiration behind In Our Nature, how the team chose the stories featured in the film, and the lessons learned along the way. Juliet shares her hopes for how the film will inspire action, connection, and deeper appreciation for the environment.We also dive into their current Seed & Spark fundraising campaign, what it takes to bring independent films like this to life, and how storytelling can be a catalyst for change. 🎬 In This Episode, You'll Learn: 🌿 How Juliet and James developed the concept for In Our Nature 🌳 The process of selecting and capturing authentic nature stories 💡 Lessons learned through the filmmaking journey 🎯 What the filmmakers hope to achieve with the documentary 🌱 Insights into their Seed & Spark campaign — and how you can support it 🎥 A behind-the-scenes look at their previous collaborationIf you’re passionate about storytelling, nature, and the ways creativity can inspire environmental awareness, this episode will leave you feeling inspired to tell your own story — in your classroom, community, or backyard.Meet Juliet: Juliet Grable is an independent writer based in Southern Oregon who combines a background in the natural sciences with innate curiosity and a passion for language. She has written for many national and regional publications and media outlets, she has also authored four books for Ecotone Publishing and co-produced two documentary films with Synchronous Pictures. Juliet’s niches include sustainable design, watershed restoration, wildlife conservation, climate change, and rural communities. She is especially interested in stories that explore the nexus of ecosystem health, community resilience, and human flourishing.Meet James: James Parker is a director, producer, and founder of Synchronous Pictures, a boutique production company creating award-winning content that bridges divides and sparks conversation. His work has aired on major networks and screened internationally, earning multiple Emmy nominations, Telly Awards, and a presidential medal for his work capturing Botswana’s HIV/AIDS response.From documentary to commercial, James has filmed human stories across Singapore, Botswana, India, Sri Lanka, the UK, and throughout the US, working with clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to major studios including CBS, ABC, BBC, Amazon Studios, and National Geographic.He is also a seasoned entrepreneur, having led the brand launch for an international smart mobility company - securing press in USA Today, TechCrunch, and Forbes, and earning PR Daily’s Best Product Launch award.James lives with a spirit of adventure and a belief in storytelling’s power to connect, illuminate, and drive meaningful change.🔗 Learn more and support the film: www.inournaturemovie.com [email protected]@synchronous.tvhttps://www.synchronous.tv/ www.julietgrable.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliet-grable-ba484344/www.othersideofthehillmovie.comOutdoor Classroom Resources & Links:🌿 Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program🌸 CIRCLE Membership for Educators🎓 Teaching Beyond Walls Capstone CourseCONNECT WITH VICTORIA:WEBSITE: www.outdoor-classrooms.comEMAIL: [email protected]: instagram.com/outdoor_classrooms/Facebook: Facebook.com/OutdoorClassrooms1

In this episode, we sit down with Ann Ranger, a graduate of the Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program, to hear her inspiring story of growth, discovery, and success. Ann shares how the program transformed her teaching practice and helped her land her dream job.She takes us behind the scenes of the Outdoor Teaching Bootcamp, the Seasonal Masterclass Bundle, and the Teaching Beyond Walls Capstone Course, sharing the key lessons and “aha” moments that shaped her journey.Ann also walks us through her capstone project, revealing how it challenged her, stretched her thinking, and solidified her skills as a nature-based educator. Whether you’re curious about teaching outdoors, seeking inspiration, or considering certification yourself, this episode is full of actionable insights and motivation.What you’ll learn in this episode:How the Outdoor Classrooms program supports teachers at every stage of their journey.Key takeaways from the Bootcamp, Seasonal Masterclass Bundle, and Capstone Course.Ann’s personal “aha” moments and lessons learned along the way.How completing the program helped Ann land her dream teaching position.Tune in to discover how the Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program can help you grow as an educator and make a lasting impact in your classroom and beyond.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🎓 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/OutdoorClassrooms1

In this inspiring Teacher Spotlight, we chat with Amy Wood, an innovative educator who has transformed her teaching through the Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program. From her first steps in the Outdoor Teaching Bootcamp, through the Seasonal Masterclass Bundle, to completing the Teaching Beyond Walls Capstone Course, Amy shares her journey, challenges, and successes bringing learning outdoors.If you’re curious about how nature-based education can reshape your classroom, this episode is packed with real stories, practical insights, and heartfelt reflections that will motivate you to take your teaching beyond walls.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Amy’s inspiration for joining the Teacher Certification ProgramKey takeaways from the Outdoor Teaching BootcampHow seasonal learning has enhanced her classroom experiencesThe process and impact of her Capstone projectLessons learned, challenges overcome, and successes celebratedTips for other educators considering nature-based learningResources & Links:🌿 Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program🌸 CIRCLE Membership for Educators🎓 Teaching Beyond Walls Capstone CourseCONNECT WITH VICTORIA:WEBSITE: www.outdoor-classrooms.comEMAIL: [email protected]: instagram.com/outdoor_classrooms/Facebook: Facebook.com/OutdoorClassrooms1

In this episode, we explore the art of noticing — the simple yet powerful practice of slowing down, paying attention, and inviting children to truly see the natural world. Discover how intentional noticing can transform outdoor learning, spark curiosity, and nurture empathy and environmental stewardship.You’ll learn what “noticing” really means, why it’s such an essential skill for children, and how to weave it into your outdoor classroom routines. From sensory walks and nature journaling to mindful moments of quiet observation, this episode offers both inspiration and practical tools to help educators cultivate curiosity and connection in nature. 💡 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:What “noticing” means: How it goes beyond simple observation to engage children’s senses, curiosity, and awareness.Why noticing matters: The cognitive, emotional, creative, and environmental benefits of helping children notice the world around them.How to teach noticing: Practical strategies for incorporating noticing into outdoor classrooms — through modeling, sensory invitations, journaling, art, and reflective discussion.How noticing builds connection: How attention, curiosity, and care for nature grow together. 🌿 Key TakeawaysNoticing is an act of mindfulness that helps children (and adults!) slow down and connect more deeply with the natural world.It supports learning across disciplines — from science and literacy to creativity and social-emotional growth.When educators model curiosity and wonder, children learn to pay attention to details that spark questions and stories.Simple routines — like a daily “minute of noticing” or reflection circles — can profoundly shape children’s relationship with nature.As Mary Oliver reminds us, “Attention is the beginning of devotion.” 🌎 Practical Ideas to Try“I notice, I wonder, It reminds me of…” — Use this simple prompt to guide observations.Sensory walks: Focus on one sense at a time — listen, touch, look, smell.Nature journals: Encourage sketching, labeling, and writing reflections.Noticing station: Provide magnifying glasses, field guides, and art supplies.Slow walks and sit spots: Build in quiet time for observation and reflection.CONNECT WITH VICTORIA:WEBSITE: www.outdoor-classrooms.comEMAIL: [email protected]: instagram.com/outdoor_classrooms/Facebook: Facebook.com/OutdoorClassrooms1OUTDOOR CLASSROOM RESOURCES:The Outdoor Classrooms CIRCLE MembershipOutdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification ProgramSeeds of Inspiration for Outdoor Learning Card Deck

Welcome to another inspiring episode of the Outdoor Classrooms Podcast where we dive into the world of outdoor education and the transformative power of nature-based learning. In this episode, we take you on a tour of Little Free Range Learners Preschool, a unique educational environment where children are encouraged to explore, play, and learn in natural settings.Key Highlights:Vision of Freedom: Discover how "Free Range" goes beyond movement, fostering exploration and growth in young minds.Power of Play: Understand why play is vital for self-regulation and world comprehension in early childhood.Diverse Learning Environments: See how children thrive in various settings, building knowledge and confidence.Social Emotional Growth: Learn about the integration of social emotional learning in daily activities.Outdoor Adventures: Experience the benefits of daily outdoor exploration and physical play.Early Learning Foundations: Explore how literacy and numeracy are naturally integrated into playful learning.Connect with Shannon: Email: [email protected]: instagram.com/littlefreerangelearners/Meet Victoria: Victoria is passionate about outdoor education and personal growth. With years of experience in creating outdoor classrooms, she brings a unique perspective on how nature can inspire transformation and a growth mindset.CONNECT WITH VICTORIA:WEBSITE: www.outdoor-classrooms.comEMAIL: [email protected]: instagram.com/outdoor_classrooms/Facebook: Facebook.com/OutdoorClassrooms1OUTDOOR CLASSROOM RESOURCES:The Outdoor Classrooms CIRCLE MembershipOutdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification ProgramSeeds of Inspiration for Outdoor Learning Card Deck

In this episode, we explore the transformative power of gratitude within nature-based education. Join Victoria as we discuss how integrating gratitude practices into learning environments can enhance educational experiences and foster a deeper appreciation for the natural world. Through practical activities and listener engagement, we aim to inspire educators and learners alike to cultivate thankfulness in their interactions with nature.🍂 Sign up for our NEW monthly workshop, The Gift of Gratitude: Nurturing Thankfulness in Nature-Based Education - https://www.outdoor-classrooms.com/new-monthly-workshop/Episode Highlights:Gratitude in Education: Importance and benefits of gratitude practices.Nature-Based Learning: How nature enhances gratitude.Practical Activities: Simple exercises to foster thankfulness.Listener Stories: Encouragement to share personal experiences.Conclusion: Key insights and daily gratitude integration.CONNECT WITH VICTORIA:WEBSITE: www.outdoor-classrooms.comEMAIL: [email protected]: instagram.com/outdoor_classrooms/Facebook: Facebook.com/OutdoorClassrooms1OUTDOOR CLASSROOM RESOURCES:The Outdoor Classrooms CIRCLE MembershipOutdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification ProgramSeeds of Inspiration for Outdoor Learning Card Deck

Join us on a journey of transformation as we delve into the power of taking leaps of faith, like the one I experienced when I signed up for a 5-day trek in the Swedish highlands with CIRCLE Member Kristy Nuttall, led by the remarkable Linda McGurk, author of There's No Such Thing as Bad Weather. Through personal stories and practical insights, we'll uncover how trusting the universe and embracing a growth mindset can lead to profound personal growth and new opportunities in your outdoor teaching practice and outdoor classroom. Episode Highlights:Introduction: Discover how personal stories of taking leaps of faith set the stage for growth.The Power of Taking the Leap: Learn why bold decisions are crucial for personal and professional development.Trusting the Universe: Understand how cultivating trust can propel you forward in your journey.Embracing a Growth Mindset: Find out how shifting your mindset can unlock new opportunities.Nature's Role in Growth: Explore how outdoor classrooms inspire transformation and learning.Community Support: Recognize the value of a supportive network in achieving your goals.Meet Victoria: Victoria is passionate about outdoor education and personal growth. With years of experience in creating outdoor classrooms, she brings a unique perspective on how nature can inspire transformation and a growth mindset.Call to Action:Reflect on your own leaps of faith.Join the "Exploring Nature in Fall Masterclass" for further growth.CONNECT WITH VICTORIA:WEBSITE: www.outdoor-classrooms.comEMAIL: [email protected]: instagram.com/outdoor_classrooms/Facebook: Facebook.com/OutdoorClassrooms1OUTDOOR CLASSROOM RESOURCES:The Outdoor Classrooms CIRCLE MembershipOutdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification ProgramSeeds of Inspiration for Outdoor Learning Card Deck

In this enlightening episode, I'm thrilled to share my guest appearance on the "Ready, Set, Go" Show, where I explored the transformative journey of outdoor classrooms. 🌱✨Episode Highlights:Guest Appearance: Tune in to hear my insights and experiences shared as a guest on the "Ready, Set, Go" Show with Kathryn Leigh Kirt, discussing the power of outdoor classroom and nature-based education.Breaking Down Walls: Discover what happens when traditional classroom walls are removed, allowing education to thrive in the great outdoors.The Journey Begins: Learn how my passion for outdoor learning was ignited by a simple garden at my children's elementary school, leading to a broader vision for education.Educational Transformation: Uncover the profound impact outdoor learning has on both education and family dynamics, fostering a deeper connection with nature.Inspiration and Tips: Whether you're an educator or a parent, find inspiration and practical advice to create your own outdoor learning spaces and integrate nature into everyday learning.Join me as I share insights, stories, and the incredible potential of outdoor classrooms. This episode is a must-listen for anyone eager to enrich education through the power of nature.Tune in to be inspired and see how sunshine and open spaces can transform the educational journey!Connect with Katheryn: Ready, Set, Go ShowCONNECT WITH VICTORIA:WEBSITE: www.outdoor-classrooms.comEMAIL: [email protected]: instagram.com/outdoor_classrooms/Facebook: Facebook.com/OutdoorClassrooms1OUTDOOR CLASSROOM RESOURCES:The Outdoor Classrooms CIRCLE MembershipOutdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification ProgramSeeds of Inspiration for Outdoor Learning Card Deck