The HMW question that guided your inquiry and action plan?
HMW develop an outdoor education program that integrates outdoor experiences into our current curriculum while providing additional experiences each term for all grade levels.
What was the “Why?” behind your action? What motivated you to engage in this action?
The WHY behind my action was partially self-motivated but also externally motivated by the climate of the school. Historically, we have been an academically minded school but in the last five years, there has been a shift towards character development and life skills (outdoor ed. included). So, with there being a need and a want, it makes sense to develop a program.
What did you learn in the process?
I learned a few things. One, I found out that there are other schools doing amazing things both here in Canada and in the States in the areas our school is looking to develop. There are schools that are prioritizing programs like outdoor ed., service-learning and character development. If I can make connections with these schools, they will be excellent resources.
I learned that there is buy-in both at the administrative level and the faculty level. There is a want for outdoor education and an understanding of its value amongst the staff. There is a willingness to teach it and a want for it to be included in our overall program.
I learned that I am a good problem solver, that I have good ideas and that the fact that I look for holes in things isn’t a negative trait but a positive one and a benefit in the planning and developing stages.
My Big Takeaway
Outdoor education is awesome in so many ways. Teaching it this year brought me back to my days as an outdoor ed specialist and reminded me of how fun it is to be out in nature with kids. They love it. The kids who get outside with their families already love being out there and are happy. The kids who don’t have those experiences with their families get a chance to be exposed to the outdoors. They all experience new places, expand their comfort zones and learn valuable life skills.
Questions I Still Have
I am still wondering how outdoor education should be delivered at Ashbury. Should it be put in the PE program or have its own period in the timetable? Should it not be part of the academic day at all but an add-on? Can it be a part of a greater program that includes service-learning, SEL and other important programs? It’s a lot of work to organize and plan all of this so the big question also is, who is going to do the work and what is the best format?
In Conclusion
The good news is that the dialogue has started. We have had two morning PD sessions on this topic and there is a committee being organized that will take a closer look at the programs we want to include and give a place of importance to. It certainly feels like there are some good things coming and an investment and interest from the teachers. It is refreshing and exciting!