Educator Spotlight: Yolanda Mitchell

Yolanda Mitchell, a parent and educator in Guilford County, recently completed her NC Environmental Education Certification. Yolanda has had many roles in education both in the traditional and non-traditional classroom in her 20-year career. These roles include serving as a case manager, an after-school instructor, a teacher and as the director and math teacher for a GED program. She has also served as a NC 4-H Volunteer Leader, a NC 4-H Master ACE (Achievement in Continuing Education) Volunteer, a Sunday school teacher, youth department leader, community volunteer, and in juvenile and criminal justice.

Yolanda says this was the right time in her career to complete her NC Environmental Education Certification. When asked about her favorite part of the program, she says it was a workshop provided by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission. “I enjoyed every session I took. My favorite was NC CATCH (Caring for Aquatics Through Conservation Habits) because I learned how to fish and bait a hook. Even though we were catching and releasing the fish, I felt like I could do anything!”

Yolanda says the positive impact of the program on you as an educator really impressed her. “The way environmental education is taught is so freeing for teachers in the classroom. Staying in the student-led space, encouraging exploration, and just simply enjoying nature was a reboot for me and my growth. If we provide our children with the opportunity and give them an experience, it will last them a lifetime and not just for a moment!”

For her community partnership project, Yolanda worked with the Frank Sharpe Jr. Wildlife Education Center at Bur-Mil Park in Greensboro. She created spaces throughout the center that were toddler-focused and immersed them in their world of learning about nature and animals. “I gave suggestions to improve current spaces to update them and open opportunities for youth to explore. I cleaned and organized spaces to maximize guests' experiences. I know firsthand from guests how my changes have had a positive effect on the community. Some set a comeback date, others planned visits with their grandchildren—the kids wanted to explore every area before leaving—and my favorite was a child that loved the upstairs toy/book area. The child's mother said they come to sit, read, and play every chance they get.”

Yolanda says the program has positively and greatly impacted her approach to teaching. “I was a super strict and structured person before joining. Slowly with each session, I began to value the unstructured approach to teaching which is difficult. I became in touch with my senses, learned to enjoy nature, saw the challenges in activities that would prevent a toddler, or a person with glasses, or person with walking difficulty from enjoying nature.” Yolanda says she wants to make sure environmental education activities are available to all students. “I have had to see kids that didn't know what a forest was, youth scared to engage with nature or never had the opportunity. I hope I can make impact in small ways as I reintroduce myself in the EE world!”

Yolanda also says the program changed the way she viewed environmental issues. “My thoughts about zero waste, water conservation, composting, pollinator gardens, ecosystems, and growing your own garden has been changed. I am more knowledgeable about personal or individual impacts on the environment and how it is better to lead with knowledge, details, and resources for personal growth and research.”