Educator Spotlight - Susanna Mcllwaine

Susanna Mcllwaine, a nonformal educator in Orange County completed the NC Environmental Education program.

Susanna teaches after-school and summer camps for students in grades 1^st through 8^th on nature and the environment. She also volunteers for the Triangle Land Conservancy as a tour guide leading hikes in nature preserves. 

Susanna says her favorite part of the program was traveling through the state. “I enjoyed getting to know people of many ages, backgrounds and jobs all sharing the love of nature and the environment and the joy of learning together.”

When asked about an experience that stood out to her, Susanna says it was the Investigating Your Environment workshop offered by the NC Forest Service. “I loved having time to process the learning, to enjoy field trips and hikes and getting to know so many people.”

For her community partnership project, Susanna created materials to provide background information on local history and ecology for hikers and hike leaders at the Triangle Land Conservancy’s nature preserves. “I consulted with fellow hikers, trainees and trail guides about topics of interest to them and resources they knew of.  My project pulls together hard to find information in a visually attractive format that informs and inspires. My intention is to raise both detailed and holistic awareness of the meaning of what people see when they hike these trails, bring in a little data, and let people follow their imagination to learn and explore more. I also hope to shine a light on the value of conservation of natural areas for ecological, educational and historical reasons.”

Susanna says the certification program changed her approach to teaching. “I learned so much from every leader and presenter I met. The Methods of Teaching Environmental Education workshop was very helpful in synthesizing good teaching practice with the goals of environmental education. The Investigating Your Environment workshop forever changed my teaching practice by showing me how to use exploration, direct experience and data to achieve a student experience that is meaningful with deep understanding and practical application to environmental decisions. I am exploring collaborations to apply skills learned in the certification program to my experience in facilitation, civic engagement, food systems and natural systems." 

When asked if the program changed the way she views environmental issues, Susanna said she is so much more aware of after completing the program. “The classes were rigorous, with some of the best scientists and educators in their fields. I am more aware of the urgency of environmental education for the sake of conservation and human health and wellbeing.”