Educator Spotlight: Amy Jordan

Amy Jordan, a Schools in Parks Specialist for NC State Parks recently completed her Environmental Education Certification. Amy is based at Lake Norman State Park and works in the community to support park programming and outreach initiatives. She says the goal is to get people out to the parks to see first-hand why NC State Parks are so amazing. In her personal time, she enjoys exploring with her two dogs and husband on the weekends, planting flowers, hiking and baking sweet treats to share. She is always up for learning something new and is a proud co-parent of 15 baby chicks.

Amy says her favorite part of earning her certification was the opportunity for new experiences. “I most enjoyed the variety of experiences that let me explore and connect with so many resources across our beautiful state.”

She says the experience that stood out to her was a NC Museumof Natural Sciences’ Teacher Trek. “I was able to attend a "swamp treehouse adventure" Teacher Trek with the Museum of Natural Science where we explored the Cashie River in Eastern NC on a canoe and camped on a platform amidst the plants and animals of that amazing ecosystem. I connected with colleagues from across the state in a fascinating way! Being in the swamp allowed so many learning opportunities in the field and gave me ideas I could come back immediately and use.”

For her community partnership project, Amy brought new life back to the outside learning area at Woodland Heights Elementary School, a K-5 public school in Iredell County. “My project was "building gardens and inspiring minds" and it was a true partnership among parents, students, teachers and our community. We worked together to refresh and renew a school outside learning area and provided teacher professional development enhancing environmental education initiatives at the school. We also created a monthly eco club to create a school garden, explore environmental education and host monthly community presenters on water quality, gardening, plants and animals, nature journaling, and additional topics in environmental education.”

Amy engaged members of the community and partnered with the schools PTO, Lowes Home Improvement, Lake Norman State Park, Iredell Soil and Water Conservation District and a local master gardener to make a big impact. “It empowered the classroom teachers by giving them some skills and background to try environmental education activities with their students and to have names and contacts of local partners that can support their teaching of the science standards.  Some private businesses like Lowes Home Improvement and individual presenters were able to share their passions and support and in-turn, built important relationships within our community.”

Amy says the certification program changed her approach to teaching. “Most importantly the environmental education certification program solidified my teacher "toolkit" by building field experiences, best practices and highly engaging strategies to support student learning, as well as my own!”

Her views on environmental issues also changed because of the program. “I believe I now consider more perspectives on environmental topics and look at the bigger picture. I knew many best practices in general education and teaching, but the certification program led me to see the connections between and bridges across curriculum areas. I also can now connect traditional formal education with informal environmental education leading to high student engagement and motivation.”

Amy says the certification program helped her change careers. “I really feel prepared, and I can honestly say I am as proud of gaining this certification as I was for both my undergraduate and graduate degrees earlier in my life. I am grateful for the experiences and opportunities it has provided!”