Outdoor Classrooms Podcast

Episode 192: Behind the Pages: The Making of Outdoor Classrooms UnlockedEver wonder what it takes to bring a book to life? In this episode, I take you behind the pages of my upcoming book, Outdoor Classrooms Unlocked: The 5 Phases of Confident Outdoor Teaching Across 4 Types of Teaching Gardens.I share the full journey—from the first spark of an idea, to writing and editing the manuscript, gathering feedback from early readers, and even selecting a cover that captures the heart of teaching outdoors. Along the way, you’ll hear stories, surprises, and reflections from my experience as an outdoor educator and author.We also explore how the 5 Phases of outdoor teaching and 4 types of teaching gardens shaped the structure and vision of the book, giving insight into not just what the book is, but how it grew and evolved over time.Whether you’re an educator, aspiring author, or just curious about the creative process, this episode offers a story-driven look at the making of a book, with lessons, reflections, and inspiration for anyone bringing an idea to life.What You’ll Hear in This Episode:How the book concept came to life and evolved over timeReflections on the manuscript editing processStories and feedback from early readersThe journey of designing the book cover and illustrationsInsights from the 5 Phases and 4 Teaching Gardens frameworkLessons learned as a teacher and authorLinks & Resources:Join the Outdoor Classrooms Community:Want to continue the conversation, access our workshop library, or collaborate with like-minded educators?👉 Join the CIRCLE Membership and grow into a more confident, connected outdoor classroom leader.FREE Outdoor Classroom Resource: 🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (halfway down the page)Outdoor Classroom Resources & Links:🎓 Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program🎓 Outdoor Teaching Bootcamp🎓 Seasonal Masterclass Bundle (includes Exploring Nature in Winter Masterclass)🎓 Teaching Beyond Walls Capstone Course🌸 CIRCLE Membership for Educators🌿 30-Day Gratitude in Nature Challenge🌸 1-hour Online Workshop LibraryConnect with Victoria:WEBSITE: www.outdoor-classrooms.comEMAIL: [email protected]: instagram.com/outdoor_classrooms/Facebook: Facebook.com/OutdoorClassrooms1Mentioned in this episode:Exploring Nature in Spring MasterclassExploring Nature in Spring Masterclass (receive all 4 seasonal courses when you enroll!): https://www.outdoor-classrooms.com/exploring-nature-in-spring-masterclass/

Over the past few months, I’ve been playing a lot of Sudoku. What began as a simple puzzle quickly became something much more meaningful. As I struggled through Easy puzzles and eventually unlocked the Master level, I began to notice something fascinating: the mindset needed to solve Sudoku is remarkably similar to the mindset needed to teach outdoors.Episode 191: Finding the Openings: What Sudoku Taught Me About Teaching OutdoorsIn this episode of Outdoor Classroom News, I explore the surprising parallels between solving puzzles and guiding children in nature. Both require patience, curiosity, experimentation, and the willingness to keep trying even when things don’t immediately make sense.Drawing from real moments in our Secret Gardens Outdoor Classroom Nature Classes, I share how children naturally approach learning the same way we approach puzzles—by noticing openings, testing ideas, and persisting through challenges.If you’ve ever felt stuck trying to bring more outdoor learning into your work with children, this episode offers a refreshing reminder: sometimes the solution appears when we shift our perspective and take the next small step.In This EpisodeHow a simple Sudoku puzzle became a lesson in mindset and persistenceWhy “looking for openings” is a powerful strategy in outdoor educationStories from Secret Gardens Outdoor Classroom Nature ClassesHow experimentation and curiosity fuel children’s learning in natureWhy persistence is one of the most valuable skills children develop outdoorsHow shifting perspective can unlock new possibilities in teaching and learningReflection QuestionsAs you listen, consider these questions:Where are the “openings” in your classroom or outdoor space right now?What small experiment could you try with children this week?When have you seen persistence lead to a breakthrough in learning?Listener ChallengeThis week, try this simple practice:Notice an opening — a child’s curiosity, a seasonal change, or a moment of wonder in nature.Experiment — follow that curiosity and see where it leads.Persist — allow time for discovery and growth.Just like solving a puzzle, meaningful learning often happens one small step at a time.Subscribe & ShareIf you enjoyed this episode of Outdoor Classroom News, be sure to subscribe and share it with a fellow educator, parent, or nature-loving friend.And remember:The next breakthrough—whether in a puzzle or an outdoor classroom—may be just one opening away.Join the Outdoor Classrooms Community:Want to continue the conversation, access our workshop library, or collaborate with like-minded educators?👉 Join the CIRCLE Membership and grow into a more confident, connected outdoor classroom leader.FREE Outdoor Classroom Resource: 🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (halfway down the page)Outdoor Classroom Resources & Links:🎓 Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program🎓 Outdoor Teaching Bootcamp🎓 Seasonal Masterclass Bundle (includes Exploring Nature in Winter Masterclass)🎓 Teaching Beyond Walls Capstone Course🌸 CIRCLE Membership for Educators🌿 30-Day Gratitude in Nature Challenge🌸 1-hour Online Workshop LibraryConnect with Victoria:WEBSITE: www.outdoor-classrooms.comEMAIL: [email protected]: instagram.com/outdoor_classrooms/Facebook: Facebook.com/OutdoorClassrooms1Mentioned in this episode:Exploring Nature in Spring MasterclassExploring Nature in Spring Masterclass (receive all 4 seasonal courses when you enroll!): https://www.outdoor-classrooms.com/exploring-nature-in-spring-masterclass/

Growing Wins: Celebrating Success in the Outdoor ClassroomIn this episode, we explore the importance of celebrating our wins—big and small—and why pausing to acknowledge accomplishments can transform the way we approach life, learning, and growth. Drawing inspiration from outdoor classrooms, we reflect on how children celebrate curiosity, effort, and discovery, and how we can do the same in our own lives.From submitting a major project to noticing small everyday successes, celebration fuels motivation, joy, and self-confidence. Join me as we uncover practical ways to mark your achievements, connect with nature, and create intentional moments of recognition.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why celebration is essential for personal growth, resilience, and joy.Lessons from outdoor classrooms: how children naturally celebrate small successes—and what we can learn from them.Practical ways to celebrate wins, including reflection, rituals, shared joy, and connecting with nature.Fun and inspiring stories from outdoor classrooms and personal experiences.Reflection exercises to help you honor your accomplishments every day.Listener Takeaways / Reflection Prompts:Think of one win—big or small—that you haven’t fully celebrated yet. How does it feel to acknowledge it?Create a simple ritual to mark your achievements, like planting a “win seed” in your outdoor classroom or journaling a moment of pride.Share a success with someone else to amplify the joy.Quote to Inspire You:"Every plant in a garden gets sunlight, water, and attention. Every win in your life deserves the same."Celebrate with us and learn how pausing to honor progress can cultivate growth, joy, and resilience in your own life.Join the Outdoor Classrooms Community:Want to continue the conversation, access our workshop library, or collaborate with like-minded educators?👉 Join the CIRCLE Membership and grow into a more confident, connected outdoor classroom leader.FREE Outdoor Classroom Resource: 🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (halfway down the page)Outdoor Classroom Resources & Links:🎓 Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program🎓 Outdoor Teaching Bootcamp🎓 Seasonal Masterclass Bundle (includes Exploring Nature in Winter Masterclass)🎓 Teaching Beyond Walls Capstone Course🌸 CIRCLE Membership for Educators🌿 30-Day Gratitude in Nature Challenge🌸 1-hour Online Workshop LibraryConnect with Victoria:WEBSITE: www.outdoor-classrooms.comEMAIL: [email protected]: instagram.com/outdoor_classrooms/Facebook: Facebook.com/OutdoorClassrooms1Mentioned in this episode:Exploring Nature in Spring MasterclassExploring Nature in Spring Masterclass (receive all 4 seasonal courses when you enroll!): https://www.outdoor-classrooms.com/exploring-nature-in-spring-masterclass/

Episode 189: CIRCLE Roundtable Reflections: What Happens When Educators Truly BelongIn the middle of an East Coast blizzard, our monthly CIRCLE Roundtable began.Some logged in right on time.Others arrived late.One joined after watching a tree fall on her outdoor classroom.And still… they showed up.This episode reflects on that unusual night — and what it revealed about community, commitment, and belonging.CIRCLE isn’t a masterclass. There are no slides or lessons. It’s a space for support, laughter, honest conversation, and real relationship.In this episode, we explore:What it means to show up imperfectlyWhy educators need spaces where they aren’t performingHow storms reveal cultureThe quiet power of gathering — even when things feel uncertainWho are you showing up for?And who is showing up for you?🌱 Because when we cultivate gardens, we cultivate belonging.Join the Outdoor Classrooms Community:Want to continue the conversation, access our workshop library, or collaborate with like-minded educators?👉 Join the CIRCLE Membership and grow into a more confident, connected outdoor classroom leader.FREE Outdoor Classroom Resource: 🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (halfway down the page)Outdoor Classroom Resources & Links:🎓 Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program🎓 Outdoor Teaching Bootcamp🎓 Seasonal Masterclass Bundle (includes Exploring Nature in Winter Masterclass)🎓 Teaching Beyond Walls Capstone Course🌸 CIRCLE Membership for Educators🌿 30-Day Gratitude in Nature Challenge🌸 1-hour Online Workshop LibraryConnect with Victoria:WEBSITE: www.outdoor-classrooms.comEMAIL: [email protected]: instagram.com/outdoor_classrooms/Facebook: Facebook.com/OutdoorClassrooms1Mentioned in this episode:Exploring Nature in Spring MasterclassExploring Nature in Spring Masterclass (receive all 4 seasonal courses when you enroll!): https://www.outdoor-classrooms.com/exploring-nature-in-spring-masterclass/

Episode 188: Follow the Water: Story, Survival & Science in the Outdoor Classroom with Ellen CochraneWhat happens when a true survival story becomes a doorway into science, resilience, and deep connection to the natural world?In this episode, I’m joined by Ellen Cochrane, author of Follow the Water—the gripping true story of Juliane Koepcke, a 17-year-old who survived alone in the Amazon rainforest by following the river.Ellen writes immersive nonfiction that trusts young readers—their intelligence and their emotions. Together, we explore how powerful storytelling can live inside outdoor classrooms, how science becomes real through narrative, and how stories of survival invite children to see weather, rivers, and forests as teachers.This conversation weaves literacy, nature, and courage into one beautiful thread.🌱 A portion of proceeds supports the Panguana Foundation.Meet Ellen:Ellen Cochrane writes immersive nonfiction for young readers that trusts their intelligence and their emotions. Her debut, “Follow the Water,” tells the true story of 17-year-old Juliane Koepcke’s survival in the Amazon. It’s an adventure that reads like a thriller and teaches how science lives in the world: weather, rivers, canopy, and the choices that keep us alive.A longtime middle school teacher of English, English learners, Spanish, and Russian, Ellen brings classroom clarity and compassion to complex topics. She studied science writing at Johns Hopkins, is a certified California Naturalist, and previously wrote a syndicated column exploring the natural world. As a teen exchange student she lived in Lima, Peru, and traveled the same route into the jungle that frames Juliane’s story.Contact Ellen:www.ellencochrane.com | Facebook: @CochraneEllen | Instagram: @EllenMCochrane | TikTok: @AuthorTalkJoin the Outdoor Classrooms Community:Want to continue the conversation, access our workshop library, or collaborate with like-minded educators?👉 Join the CIRCLE Membership and grow into a more confident, connected outdoor classroom leader.FREE Outdoor Classroom Resource: 🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (halfway down the page)Outdoor Classroom Resources & Links:🎓 Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program🎓 Outdoor Teaching Bootcamp🎓 Seasonal Masterclass Bundle (includes Exploring Nature in Winter Masterclass)🎓 Teaching Beyond Walls Capstone Course🌸 CIRCLE Membership for Educators🌿 30-Day Gratitude in Nature Challenge🌸 1-hour Online Workshop LibraryConnect with Victoria:WEBSITE: www.outdoor-classrooms.comEMAIL: [email protected]: instagram.com/outdoor_classrooms/Facebook: Facebook.com/OutdoorClassrooms1Mentioned in this episode:Exploring Nature in Spring MasterclassExploring Nature in Spring Masterclass (receive all 4 seasonal courses when you enroll!): https://www.outdoor-classrooms.com/exploring-nature-in-spring-masterclass/

From Seed to Sanctuary: Cultivating Garden-Centered Classrooms with Sara RubensWhat if your classroom didn’t just have a garden… but was shaped by one?In this episode of the Outdoor Classrooms Podcast, Victoria sits down with Sara Rubens, author of A Love Letter for a Garden-Centered Life, to explore how gardens can become living, breathing learning environments for children.Together, they discuss:What it truly means to live — and teach — a garden-centered lifeHow gardens support inquiry, literacy, science, and social-emotional growthCreating rhythms and rituals that connect children to the landTurning any outdoor space into a sanctuary for learningSarah shares how tending a garden mirrors the work of educators: planting seeds, nurturing growth, trusting seasons, and believing in what is not yet visible.Whether you’re building a school garden, reimagining your outdoor classroom, or simply longing to deepen children’s connection to nature, this conversation will inspire you to see your teaching space differently.🌱 Because when we cultivate gardens, we cultivate belonging.Join the Outdoor Classrooms Community:Want to continue the conversation, access our workshop library, or collaborate with like-minded educators?👉 Join the CIRCLE Membership and grow into a more confident, connected outdoor classroom leader.FREE Outdoor Classroom Resource: 🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (halfway down the page)Outdoor Classroom Resources & Links:🎓 Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program🎓 Outdoor Teaching Bootcamp🎓 Seasonal Masterclass Bundle (includes Exploring Nature in Winter Masterclass)🎓 Teaching Beyond Walls Capstone Course🌸 CIRCLE Membership for Educators🌿 30-Day Gratitude in Nature Challenge🌸 1-hour Online Workshop LibraryConnect with Victoria:WEBSITE: www.outdoor-classrooms.comEMAIL: [email protected]: instagram.com/outdoor_classrooms/Facebook: Facebook.com/OutdoorClassrooms1Mentioned in this episode:Exploring Nature in Spring MasterclassExploring Nature in Spring Masterclass (receive all 4 seasonal courses when you enroll!): https://www.outdoor-classrooms.com/exploring-nature-in-spring-masterclass/

🌱 Episode 186: Growing a Greener Future with CitySprouts: Pubic School Gardens for Teaching & LearningIn this episode, Victoria talks with Alex Frank of CitySprouts about how school gardens function as both science labs and creative spaces. Together, they explore how urban school gardens cultivate curiosity, connection, and meaningful learning experiences for students and educators alike—while growing a greener future from the ground up.🌿 In This Episode, We Explore:Why school gardens are both a science and an artHow hands-on garden learning sparks curiosity and wonder in studentsWhat makes urban school gardens powerful spaces for learning and communityThe role of after-school and summer programs in deepening garden-based learningHow educators and gardeners build momentum together through shared practice and collaboration🌼 Meet Alex:Alex Frank is the Senior Program Manager at CitySprouts, an urban gardening nonprofit based in Cambridge and Boston. CitySprouts’ mission is to cultivate curiosity and wonder in students through hands-on science learning in their own schoolyard gardens.Alex oversees CitySprouts’ Green Team program, a tuition-free afterschool and summer initiative that provides teens with opportunities to work learn outdoors in their own communities—building skills and experience that support future green education and career pathways.He also coordinates the Boston-Area School Gardens Conference, a professional development gathering that brings educators, gardeners, and community partners together to share best practices and strengthen the urban school garden movement.🌼 Contact Alex:You can follow our Facebook, Instagram (@citysproutsma), and LinkedIn pages, as well as explore our website (citysprouts.org) for information, curriculum, blogposts, and more!🌿🌿🌿Join the Outdoor Classrooms Community:Want to continue the conversation, access our workshop library, or collaborate with like-minded educators?👉 Join the CIRCLE Membership and grow into a more confident, connected outdoor classroom leader.FREE Outdoor Classroom Resource: 🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (halfway down the page)Outdoor Classroom Resources & Links:🎓 Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program🎓 Outdoor Teaching Bootcamp🎓 Seasonal Masterclass Bundle (includes Exploring Nature in Winter Masterclass)🎓 Teaching Beyond Walls Capstone Course🌸 CIRCLE Membership for Educators🌿 30-Day Gratitude in Nature Challenge🌸 1-hour Online Workshop LibraryConnect with Victoria:WEBSITE: www.outdoor-classrooms.comEMAIL: [email protected]: instagram.com/outdoor_classrooms/Facebook: Facebook.com/OutdoorClassrooms1

In Sync with Nature: Lessons in Rhythm, Pause, and PresenceIn this reflective episode, we explore what the natural world can teach us about staying in sync—especially for educators and caregivers who spend their days responding to the needs of others.Nature is not balanced because it avoids disruption, but because it integrates it. Through seasons, storms, rest, and regeneration, the natural world offers powerful lessons about rhythm, timing, and presence—lessons that are often easy to forget in professions built around constant giving.Recorded during a season of personal vulnerability, this episode invites listeners to look to nature as a teacher rather than a backdrop. It’s a reminder that pauses are not interruptions, and slowing down is not a failure—it’s part of how balance is restored.This conversation is for educators and caregivers who feel stretched, tender, or out of sync, and are longing to return to a rhythm that feels sustainable and true.In this episode, we explore:What nature teaches us about rhythm, seasons, and timingWhy pause is an essential part of balance, not a disruptionHow presence helps educators and caregivers stay aligned while holding so muchLiving in response rather than resistanceLearning to listen—when life slows us downReflection for listeners:What might change if we trusted rhythm instead of rushing it?In this reflective episode, we explore what the natural world can teach us about staying in sync—especially for educators and caregivers who spend their days responding to the needs of others.Nature is not balanced because it avoids disruption, but because it integrates it. Through seasons, storms, rest, and regeneration, the natural world offers powerful lessons about rhythm, timing, and presence—lessons that are often easy to forget in professions built around constant giving.Recorded during a season of personal vulnerability, this episode invites listeners to look to nature as a teacher rather than a backdrop. It’s a reminder that pauses are not interruptions, and slowing down is not a failure—it’s part of how balance is restored.This conversation is for educators and caregivers who feel stretched, tender, or out of sync, and are longing to return to a rhythm that feels sustainable and true.In this episode, we explore:What nature teaches us about rhythm, seasons, and timingWhy pause is an essential part of balance, not a disruptionHow presence helps educators and caregivers stay aligned while holding so muchLiving in response rather than resistanceLearning to listen—when life slows us downReflection for listeners:What might change if we trusted rhythm instead of rushing it?Join the Outdoor Classrooms Community:Want to continue the conversation, access our workshop library, or collaborate with like-minded educators?👉 Join the CIRCLE Membership and grow into a more confident, connected outdoor classroom leader.FREE Outdoor Classroom Resource: 🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (halfway down the page)Outdoor Classroom Resources & Links:🎓 Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program🎓 Outdoor Teaching Bootcamp🎓 Seasonal Masterclass Bundle (includes Exploring Nature in Winter Masterclass)🎓 Teaching Beyond Walls Capstone Course🌸 CIRCLE Membership for Educators🌿 30-Day Gratitude in Nature Challenge🌸 1-hour Online Workshop LibraryConnect with Victoria:WEBSITE: www.outdoor-classrooms.comEMAIL: [email protected]: instagram.com/outdoor_classrooms/Facebook: Facebook.com/OutdoorClassrooms1Mentioned in this episode:Exploring Nature in Spring MasterclassExploring Nature in Spring Masterclass (receive all 4 seasonal courses when you enroll!): https://www.outdoor-classrooms.com/exploring-nature-in-spring-masterclass/

184: Imperfect Sustainability: Building Environmental Literacy in the Outdoor Classroom with Alexa PavanWhat does sustainability look like in the outdoor classroom—without the pressure to be perfect?In this episode, Victoria talks with sustainability advocate and content creator Alexa Pavan about weaving environmental and sustainability literacy into outdoor classrooms in meaningful, accessible ways. Together, they explore how outdoor learning can help children understand their connection to the planet while modeling curiosity, care, and progress over perfection.🌿 Meet Alexa:Alexa Pavan is an imperfect sustainability advocate, eco content creator, and writer for sustainable businesses and environmental organizations. With a background in Biomedical Science and Public Health, she makes climate and environmental topics more approachable for everyday Americans through fun, light, and practical content. Alexa is especially passionate about composting, ocean conservation, and protecting both the planet and the people who inhabit it.🌿 Contact Alexa:https://www.instagram.com/gogreenwithalexahttps://www.youtube.com/@gogreenwithalexawww.gogreenwithalexa.comhello@gogreenwithalexa.comJoin the Outdoor Classrooms Community:Want to continue the conversation, access our workshop library, or collaborate with like-minded educators?👉 Join the CIRCLE Membership and grow into a more confident, connected outdoor classroom leader. FREE Outdoor Classroom Resource: 🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (halfway down the page)Outdoor Classroom Resources & Links:🎓 Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program🎓 Outdoor Teaching Bootcamp🎓 Seasonal Masterclass Bundle (includes Exploring Nature in Winter Masterclass)🎓 Teaching Beyond Walls Capstone Course🌸 CIRCLE Membership for Educators🌿 30-Day Gratitude in Nature Challenge🌸 1-hour Online Workshop LibraryConnect with Victoria:WEBSITE: www.outdoor-classrooms.comEMAIL: [email protected]: instagram.com/outdoor_classrooms/Facebook: Facebook.com/OutdoorClassrooms1Mentioned in this episode:Exploring Nature in Spring MasterclassExploring Nature in Spring Masterclass (receive all 4 seasonal courses when you enroll!): https://www.outdoor-classrooms.com/exploring-nature-in-spring-masterclass/

January is a hard month in education—and winter often takes the blame.When directors call asking for ideas, strategies, or professional development, what they’re often really asking is: How do we support educators through this season?In this episode, we explore what sits beneath those January phone calls and why winter isn’t the problem it’s made out to be. Rather than offering quick fixes, this conversation focuses on what nature-based educators truly need right now: permission to slow down, validation, strong pedagogy, and reconnection to purpose.This episode is for directors, coaches, and educators navigating the long stretch of winter.In This Episode:Why January feels especially heavy in schoolsWhat schools think educators need vs. what they actually needHow winter reveals cracks rather than creating themWhy resistance is information, not failureThe shift from activities to pedagogy in winterWinter isn’t asking educators to try harder.It’s asking us to root deeper.Join the Community:Want to continue the conversation, access our workshop library, or collaborate with like-minded educators?👉 Join the CIRCLE Membership and grow into a more confident, connected outdoor classroom leader.Workshop Mentioned: Rooted in Nature: Foundations of Nature-Based Pedagogy (included in CIRCLE Membership)FREE Resource: 🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (halfway down the page)Resources & Links:🎓 Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program🎓 Outdoor Teaching Bootcamp🎓 Seasonal Masterclass Bundle (includes Exploring Nature in Winter Masterclass)🎓 Teaching Beyond Walls Capstone Course🌸 CIRCLE Membership for Educators🌿 30-Day Gratitude in Nature Challenge🌸 1-hour Online Workshop LibraryConnect with Victoria:WEBSITE: www.outdoor-classrooms.comEMAIL: [email protected]: instagram.com/outdoor_classrooms/Facebook: Facebook.com/OutdoorClassrooms1Related Episodes: Episode 4: What is Nature Pedagogy? Episode 17. Rethinking Nature Pedagogy in Higher Education with April ZakjoEpisode 124: Nature's Playlist: Weaving Frameworks, Pedagogy and Schemas into Outdoor Play Mentioned in this episode:Exploring Nature in Spring MasterclassExploring Nature in Spring Masterclass (receive all 4 seasonal courses when you enroll!): https://www.outdoor-classrooms.com/exploring-nature-in-spring-masterclass/

Episode 182: "Oh, The Places You Will Go" – Ocean State Kids with Marial LeisgeJoin us for a behind-the-scenes tour with Marial Leisge, founder of Ocean State Kids, a nonprofit supporting parents as their child’s most influential teacher. In this Circle Member Tour & Talk, we explore the many programs Ocean State Kids offers across Rhode Island, from outdoor learning spaces to hands-on experiences that nurture curiosity, creativity, and connection in children.💡 Circle Members get exclusive access to the full photo tour! Become a member today to go behind the scenes and see how Ocean State Kids empowers families to support their children’s growth.Inside this episode, you’ll discover:Stories and photos from Ocean State Kids’ programs across Rhode Island.How Marial fosters exploration, independence, and playful learning.Inspiration for parents, educators, and caregivers to create meaningful, nature-based experiences for children.About Marial Leisge:Marial Leisge is the founder of Ocean State Kids, a thriving community that helps parents become their child’s most influential teacher. A former branding and marketing professional, she shifted her career to education after her own journey into motherhood inspired a passion for supporting children and families in new, intentional ways.Marial is a CIRCLE Member and part of the Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification program, deepening her expertise in nature-based learning, child development, and inclusive education. Her experiences as a mother to her son Otto, a Gestalt Language Processor, have shaped her approach to creating programs that honor children’s unique learning styles, foster confidence, and encourage curiosity.Whether she’s leading outdoor programs, crafting parent-centered workshops, or simply enjoying a moment of wonder with her own family, Marial is dedicated to building communities where children can explore, grow, and thrive—and where parents are empowered to guide them every step of the way.🎧 Tune in and see the places young learners—and their guides—can go!🌱 A Note for Potential SponsorsAs we head into 2026, Outdoor Classrooms is seeking values-aligned sponsors who believe in nature-based education, community-centered learning, and teaching beyond walls.If that sounds like you—or someone you know—we’d love to connect.🔗 Learn More & Stay Connected:FREE Resource: www.outdoor-classrooms.com🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (halfway down the page)Resources & Links:🎓 Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program🎓 Outdoor Teaching Bootcamp🎓 Seasonal Masterclass Bundle (includes Exploring Nature in Winter Masterclass)🎓 Teaching Beyond Walls Capstone Course🌸 CIRCLE Membership for Educators🌿 30-Day Gratitude in Nature Challenge🌸 1-hour Online Workshop LibraryConnect with Victoria:WEBSITE: www.outdoor-classrooms.comEMAIL: [email protected]: instagram.com/outdoor_classrooms/Facebook: Facebook.com/OutdoorClassrooms1Mentioned in this episode:Exploring Nature in Spring MasterclassExploring Nature in Spring Masterclass (receive all 4 seasonal courses when you enroll!): https://www.outdoor-classrooms.com/exploring-nature-in-spring-masterclass/

In this heartfelt episode, we celebrate the life and legacy of Juliet Robertson, a passionate advocate for outdoor learning and play. Juliet inspired countless educators to embrace messy, hands-on experiences and to see the natural world as a classroom full of wonder.We reflect on her approach to teaching outdoors, her dedication to supporting teachers, and the joy she brought to children and adults alike. This episode is a tribute to her vision: that learning is richest when it’s playful, engaging, and a little bit messy.What You’ll Hear in This Episode:Stories that capture Juliet’s infectious curiosity and joy for learning.Reflections on the impact she had on the outdoor education community.Insights into why embracing mess, exploration, and wonder matters in teaching.Whether you knew Juliet personally or are discovering her work for the first time, this episode is a celebration of her spirit and the enduring mark she leaves on educators and learners everywhere.Resources & Links:Juliet Robertson’s Resources – Explore her thoughts on outdoor learning and play.CREATIVE STAR LEARNINGReflection PromptWhere might you loosen your grip and allow learning to unfold more freely?Quote“Learning is not something we control—it is something we make space for.”— Inspired by Juliet RobertsonJoin the Community:Want to continue the conversation, access our workshop library, or collaborate with like-minded educators?👉 Join the CIRCLE Membership and grow into a more confident, connected outdoor classroom leader.FREE Resource: 🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (halfway down the page)Resources & Links:🎓 Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program🎓 Outdoor Teaching Bootcamp🎓 Seasonal Masterclass Bundle (includes Exploring Nature in Winter Masterclass)🎓 Teaching Beyond Walls Capstone Course🌸 CIRCLE Membership for Educators🌿 30-Day Gratitude in Nature Challenge🌸 1-hour Online Workshop Library🎧 Episode 36, Messy Maths with Juliet RobertsonConnect with Victoria:WEBSITE: www.outdoor-classrooms.comEMAIL: [email protected]: instagram.com/outdoor_classrooms/Facebook: Facebook.com/OutdoorClassrooms1Mentioned in this episode:Exploring Nature in Spring MasterclassExploring Nature in Spring Masterclass (receive all 4 seasonal courses when you enroll!): https://www.outdoor-classrooms.com/exploring-nature-in-spring-masterclass/

In this special reflective episode, I pause to look back on 2025—a year filled with growth, connection, creativity, and community inside Outdoor Classrooms.Rather than an interview, this episode is an invitation to slow down. Together, we reflect on what it truly means to build outdoor classrooms over time—with intention, curiosity, and care—while looking ahead to what’s taking root for 2026.🎙 In This Episode, You’ll Hear About:🌱 Beginning and ending 2025 with the Outdoor Teaching BootcampHow starting—and closing—the year with Bootcamp created a powerful, cyclical rhythm for educators moving through the Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program.🌸 Life in the Secret GardensParent/child classes, drop-off afterschool programs, birthday celebrations, an art show, and what it looks like when children and adults are given space to truly slow down and connect with nature.🔵 Teaching Beyond Walls Capstone & Certification MilestonesCelebrating our first graduates, their powerful capstone projects, and the ever-growing Graduate Testimonials page.🏫 Professional Development & Conference PresentationsTraining with Evergreen Day School (Cambridge, MA), Roots and Wings Nature School (NH), Brookwood School (Beverly,Ma) and presentations at Natural Start and MEES.🎧 179 Podcast Episodes & a Growing Listener CommunityReflections on the Outdoor Classrooms Podcast, reaching over 1,000 listeners each month, and what these conversations mean moving forward.🌿 CIRCLE Membership highlights12 new workshops added in 202512 books read togetherMonthly Roundtable discussionsSeasonal masterclasses: Exploring Nature in Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall ✍️ Personal milestonesWriting and submitting the first draft of my book, traveling to Acadia National Park and Joshua Tree, and how place continues to shape this work. 🌟 Looking Ahead to 2026In the final portion of the episode, I share what’s guiding me into the new year:A commitment to documenting 2026 with one video a dayUsing nature as a healing and reflective tool through seasonal living, cooking from the garden, intentional walks, journaling, and habit-buildingExpanding CIRCLE Gatherings in the Secret Gardens to deepen community connectionPreparing the January edition of the CIRCLE Chronicle, including:Our 2026 book list for Roundtable Discussions12 new monthly workshop topicsExploring opportunities to connect the Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program with higher education pathwaysSeeking like-minded sponsors for the Outdoor Classrooms Podcast to help reach even more educators while staying deeply aligned with our values💬 Featured Reflections from the Community:“This podcast reminds me why I became a teacher. It grounds me and gives me permission to slow down.”“This program gave me language for what I already felt in my bones.”“CIRCLE feels like professional development that also feeds my soul.”🌱 A Note for Potential SponsorsAs we head into 2026, Outdoor Classrooms is seeking values-aligned sponsors who believe in nature-based education, community-centered learning, and teaching beyond walls.If that sounds like you—or someone you know—we’d love to connect. 🔗 Learn More & Stay ConnectedFREE Resource:🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (halfway down the page) Resources & Links:🎓 Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program🎓 Outdoor Teaching Bootcamp🎓 Seasonal Masterclass Bundle🎓 Teaching Beyond Walls Capstone Course🌸 CIRCLE Membership for Educators🌿 30-Day Gratitude in Nature Challenge🌸 1-hour Online Workshop Library Connect with Victoria:WEBSITE: www.outdoor-classrooms.comEMAIL: [email protected]: instagram.com/outdoor_classrooms/Facebook: Facebook.com/OutdoorClassrooms1 ✨ Closing Thought2026 is shaping up to be a year of growth, connection, courage, and adventure.Thank you for being part of this journey—and for continuing to teach beyond walls.Mentioned in this episode:Exploring Nature in Spring MasterclassExploring Nature in Spring Masterclass (receive all 4 seasonal courses when you enroll!): https://www.outdoor-classrooms.com/exploring-nature-in-spring-masterclass/

In this episode, Victoria guides educators through an inspiring and actionable journey of setting meaningful New Year goals for their Outdoor Classroom using the Four Types of Teaching Gardens:Gardens that FeedGardens that Attract WildlifeGardens for Art and BeautyGardens as Outdoor Learning StationsBuilding on the reflective questions shared in the latest Seedling News PDF, this episode brings those prompts to life—helping you turn reflection into a clear, garden-centered plan for the year ahead. In This Episode, You’ll Learn:🌱 Why goal-setting mattersHow intention, not perfection, shapes a thriving Outdoor Classroom.🥕 How to develop goals for Gardens that FeedIdeas for edible planting, cultural foods, composting, and hands-on culinary rituals for kids.🦋 Ways to invite more wildlife into your spaceTips for creating habitat, expanding native plantings, and supporting children as citizen scientists.🎨 How to cultivate beauty, creativity, and art outdoorsFrom color gardens to nature looms, this segment explores aesthetic and sensory-rich garden features that nurture imagination.🔍 How to strengthen your Outdoor Learning StationsPractical strategies for evolving your mud kitchen, literacy areas, STEM zones, and sensory spaces.🗂 How to build a simple, seasonal action planVictoria walks you through choosing ONE goal for each garden type—and spreading those steps across winter and spring.Reflection Questions Featured:What do you want your outdoor classroom to become this year?Which plants, wildlife, art elements, or learning stations most engaged children last season?What do you want children to feel, experience, and discover in each garden area?What support or structure will help you bring your goals to life?Resources Mentioned:Seedling News Reflective PDF – Use it alongside this episode to map out your yearThe Four Types of Teaching Gardens Framework: Learn more in our Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification ProgramCIRCLE Membership Community – For educators ready to grow deeper and connect with others on the same journeyJoin the Community:Want to continue the conversation, access our workshop library, or collaborate with like-minded educators?👉 Join the CIRCLE Membership and grow into a more confident, connected outdoor classroom leader. FREE Resource: 🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (halfway down the page)Resources & Links:🎓 Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program🎓 Outdoor Teaching Bootcamp🎓 Seasonal Masterclass Bundle (includes Exploring Nature in Winter Masterclass)🎓 Teaching Beyond Walls Capstone Course🌸 CIRCLE Membership for Educators🌿 30-Day Gratitude in Nature Challenge🌸 1-hour Online Workshop LibraryConnect with Victoria:WEBSITE: www.outdoor-classrooms.comEMAIL: [email protected]: instagram.com/outdoor_classrooms/Facebook: Facebook.com/OutdoorClassrooms1Mentioned in this episode:Exploring Nature in Spring MasterclassExploring Nature in Spring Masterclass (receive all 4 seasonal courses when you enroll!): https://www.outdoor-classrooms.com/exploring-nature-in-spring-masterclass/