Educator Spotlight: Stephanie Francis

Stephanie Francis, a nonformal educator in Western North Carolina, recently completed her North Carolina Environmental Education Certification.

When asked about her favorite part of earning her certification, Stephanie says it was the outdoor environmental education experiences. “I loved all of the outdoor experiences I took and getting to go outside and naturalize and become better acquainted with the world around me.”

Stephanie says her community partnership project was the experience that stands out for her. “My project was a special experience. I got to reconnect with one of my former employers, and provide a service for her that she had been wanting to do but didn't have time for in her busy schedule.”

For her project, Stephanie worked with the interpretive ranger at Paris Mountain State Park in South Carolina to create an educational sign for the Sulphur Springs stream access site at the park. The park, which sees 500,000 visitors a year, was having trouble with visitors building rock dams on the stream.  In addition to the signage that educates visitors on the animals living in the stream and explains why it's important not to move the rocks, she also hosted a program at the park that included a stream study and a dismantling of rock dams created by previous visitors. “The participants that came to my event received in-depth information on specific stream organisms and why those specifically benefit from the ecosystem the rocks in the stream provide. We believe that most of the people building dams and cairns in the creek are not aware of the ecological ramifications to the stream ecosystem. This project will introduce them to the fact that animals depend on the rocks for survival, and that they should stay in place.”

Stephanie says the one of the most impactful courses she took was the Universal Design for Learning workshop offered by Environmental Educators of North Carolina. “I have taken the concepts I gained from that course into all of my teaching since then, giving students more freedom of choice and hopefully making my content more accessible for all.”

Stephanie says the program changed the way she thinks about environmental issues. “It has become clearer to me that the best way to inspire environmental change is to create opportunities for people to have positive experiences in the environment.”

 

Educator Spotlight: Christine Ricci

Christine Ricci, an Education Specialist for the NC Waterworks Operators Association, recently completed her NC Environmental Education Certification. Christine helps facilitate training for the state’s water professionals and in her personal time, she loves to read, explore state parks and visit her friends and family. 

Christine says her favorite part of earning her certification was the variety of the training offered. “I learned from a variety of professionals in a variety of ways and about many different things. This meant I never got bored, and I was able to pass much of it on to students and colleagues.” 

When asked about an experience in the program that stood out to her, Christine said it was the Project Restore Educator Trek Waterdog Warriors offered by the NC Museum of Natural Sciences. This trek allowed educators to search for the federally threatened salamander, the Neuse River waterdog while learning from biologists and participating in field monitoring and restoration of the species. 

For her community partnership project, Christine worked with another educator from Gaston College, Marguerite Bishop, to design and install a learning garden with an outdoor classroom at Nashville Elementary School. “This garden is still in use, and I still help with it. Students still come up to me and say, "I remember you...you taught me about..." I love that this project helped students get outside and foster a love of the outdoors. It also means a great deal that the school makes a point of using the garden.”

Before: The area before Christine's project

After: The garden and outdoor classroom

Christine says participating in the program changed her approach to teaching. “The program has helped me expand my environmental education curriculum and has given me other ways to approach how I teach specifically when it comes to issues around social justice.” 

She says the program also changed the way she views environmental issues. “The biggest change is understanding how environmental issues impact those in lower socioeconomic classes. I always knew it impacted them more but how much more, I wasn’t aware of.”

Educator Spotlight: Haley Bock

Haley Bock, an AmeriCorps service member with Resilience and Climate Corps North Carolina, recently completed her NC Environmental Education Certification

Haley’s AmeriCorps host site is the Piedmont Triad Regional Council where her service supports their Stormwater SMART program. Haley is involved in program planning and educating communities about stormwater, water quality and conservation. 

Haley’s favorite part of earning her certification was networking, learning new things and being able to travel across the state for different opportunities. “The program helped me network throughout the state for a future career.” 

When asked about a certification experience that stood out for her, Haley says it was the Swamp Treehouse Adventure Educator Trek with the NC Museum of Natural Sciences. The experiences allow educators to camp along the Cashie River at the Town of Winsor’s treehouse cabins while experiencing a blackwater river and learning about the bottomland hardwood swamp habitat. 

For her community partnership project, Haley collaborated with Keep Davidson County Beautiful to organize a cleanup on Martin Luther King, Jr. National Day of Service. “The event engaged local community members to help cleanup their community.” 

Haley says the certification program changed her approach to teaching. “I learned strategies for teaching different age groups and learning how I can adjust my communication skills with different groups of people.” 

She also says the program changed the way she thinks about environmental issues. “I learned a lot of things I never knew before, so it gave me a broader view on some environmental issues. I know that learning about native an invasive plants has stuck with me along with composting and recycling.” 

Educator Spotlight: Holly Theobald

Holly Theobald, a nonformal educator from Harnett County recently completed her NC Environmental Education Certification. Holly enjoys teaching people of all ages and backgrounds through interactive, place-based instruction. In her personal time, she enjoys gardening, making tea blends and exploring nature. 

Holly’s favorite part of the certification program was meeting and connecting with other educators across the state. “It was a joy to learn from them and to share with each other our love of the natural world.”

For her community partnership project, Holly planned for the installation of a future garden at Highlands School in partnership with the Highlands Biological Foundation and Old Edwards Hospitality Group. “Once installed, this garden will serve the students at Highlands School by providing them with an educational garden for inquiry-based learning where they can learn how to grow organic produce.”

Holly says participating in the certification program changed her approach to teaching. “I have a much stronger skill set when it comes to developing and facilitating educational activities because of the certification program. I have learned so much – from new curricula to different interpretive techniques. I have more confidence in myself as an educator, which in turn, impacts how effective I am when I deliver programs.”

When asked if the program changed the way she thinks about environmental issues, Holly said it was helpful to connect with other educators. “It is through effective education that we can help others understand how the natural world works, and how we may make positive changes that will improve the planet." I do not feel as daunted by these issues knowing that there are numerous people who also want to help the planet through education that will impact the next generation. Participating in the certification program has given me the opportunity to connect and learn from educators and environmental leaders across the state which enables me to facilitate such education.”