Nature Inspired Teacher

09/04/2026

☂️ “Practically perfect in every way.”

Channeling my inner Mary Poppins at our last Community of Practice session. Although I’m still a little bummed that this umbrella doesn't make me fly. 😂✨

As early childhood educators, we know we need to tap into our own imagination. Add ample fresh air as we spend time outdoors. That is where joy is found! 🌿

I hope this long weekend you make time to PLAY outside, follow your curiosity, and find a little wonder just for YOU. ☂️🍃✨

09/03/2026

Hey Vermonters ~ September 5–7 is Free "Mentored Fishing Weekend" in Vermont!

Licensed anglers can bring up to four new anglers each day, and those new anglers can fish without a license while being mentored.

So grab a kid, a friend, a neighbor, or someone who has always wanted to try fishing and head to the water. Share what you know, enjoy some time outdoors, and maybe help someone discover a lifelong love of fishing.

Because sometimes the best catch of the day is the memory you make together. 🎣🌿

More details available at:

https://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/fish/fishing-events-and-programs/fishing-clinics-and-events/annual-mentor-fishing-weekend

Anglers, this Labor Day Weekend is your chance to pay it forward! 🎣 If you're an experienced angler, it’s likely someone else got you hooked on fishing. Now's your chance to be the mentor and share your love of fishing with someone new!

This coming weekend (September 5 - 7) is Free Mentored Fishing Weekend in Vermont! Licensed anglers can bring up to 4 new anglers fishing with them each day - no license needed! It's an opportunity to share skills and pass on the passion.

Make memories that last this weekend! More details available at: https://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/fish/fishing-events-and-programs/fishing-clinics-and-events/annual-mentor-fishing-weekend

09/02/2026

Happy September, friends! Some week one pics from my classroom! Tucker Turtle 🐢 is excited to meet the new PreK crew! emotional learning

08/30/2026

🍂🎨 FREEBIE: Autumn Artists | Invitations & Explorations

Fall is almost here, and that means it’s time for crunchy leaves, rich colors, interesting textures, and SO many opportunities for open-ended art. 🍁

I created Autumn Artists: Invitations & Explorations for educators working with children ages 3–5...although I have a feeling some older children and grown-ups will want to join in too. 😉

Each activity connects fall-inspired art experiences with early learning skills and is aligned with Teaching Strategies GOLD objectives.

Inside you’ll find printable, easy-to-use activities that include:

🍃 Simple, straightforward directions
🎨 Affordable and readily available materials
🍂 Potential early learning objectives
✂️ One- or two-page formats you can quickly print and use
🌻 Invitations that encourage children to explore, create, notice, and make their own artistic choices

No elaborate Pinterest supply haul required. Just meaningful, beautiful experiences you can bring into your classroom this autumn.

Because sometimes the best curriculum is already falling from the trees. 🍁💛

Want my FREE Autumn Artists resource? Grad it at this link:
https://aprilsteachingtree.mykajabi.com/opt-in-59d71292-862f-475e-bcb2-27bb78e8c231

08/29/2026

Time for a bike ride! Anyone at Kingdom Trails this morning? I’m moving a turtle’s pace if anyone want to ride some green trails! Likely going to stop and take a nap in a mossy spot! 💚🌿🐢 teacherwellness

08/27/2026

Well, my beloved two seater log car convertible has fallen into some disrepair. She’s got one tire that fell off, a couple others that are cracking, and some fungus that is sprouting. This beauty was created by chainsaw artist, Rick Churchill of Afterlife Carving (Waterford, VT). Guess I need a quote on the tires! Does AAA offer roadside service for log cars?! 🛞

I’ll share my process for dealing with fungus growing on stumps as that’s a real no-no for licensed child care programs. 🍄 😳

Stay tuned in September, as I get my act together, and do a series of social posts and a drop in Zoom session about outdoor classroom refreshes! If you’ve got a topic you hope I cover, send me a message or a photo/question and I’ll add the response to the series.

🙈 Apologies if you’re waiting from an email response from me, I’m quite a bit behind on fall course promotion but a newsletter will land in your inbox tonight about two different college courses and my certification program. 💚🌻

08/27/2026

🌿 Please share with your Early Childhood Education besties! 🌿

Looking for an undergraduate college course for this fall? There is still room to enroll in my Nature-Based Approaches in Early Childhood Education course through the Community College of Vermont (CCV)!

This is a fully online, asynchronous course, which means there are no live Zoom calls. Students access the weekly modules on Sundays and have the week to complete the coursework on your own, and yes, there is a discussion forum and I try my best to make it interactive and engaging. This is a course that I designed and was added to the CCV Course Catalog, and is chock full of interesting, practical, and ACTIONABLE information that will positively impact your classroom.

🍃 Course Description:
"This course sets the foundation for nature-based early learning and activities by examining the principles, philosophical underpinnings, and practices of utilizing nature to enhance the development of the whole child. This course introduces students to the field of nature-based learning including its history, theories, benefits for children and the environment, program models, the teacher’s role, high quality practices, and regional resources."

Who is this course for?

🌱 Matriculated CCV students: This course can count as an education elective. Just ask your advisor to sign you up! You might decide it's the best course during your associates degree!

🌱 Non-degree seeking early educators: This course is great way to learn about nature based approaches and have a deeper sense of this pedagological approach. Even if you are little leery of online courses, I have designed the format so it's easy to meet the deadlines, and you will feel supported.

🌱Licensed teachers and practicing educators: I’ve also had teachers take the course for continuing education, especially those who are curious about Nature-Based Early Childhood Education (NBECE) but didn’t have an opportunity to study it during their teacher preparation program.

📅 Semester: September 8 – December 21, 2026
💻 Format: Fully online + asynchronous
🎓 Course: EDU-2430-VO01

And as of this morning, there are NINE seats still open!

Read all the details and register directly through CCV here:
https://andromeda.ccv.vsc.edu/Learn/Grid/SectionDetail.cfm?SEC_NAME=EDU-2430-VO01&grid=Fall

If you know an educator who has been wanting to bring more nature, outdoor learning, wonder, and inquiry into their work with young children, tag them or send this their way! 🌿💚

This course sets the foundation for nature-based early learning and activities by examining the principles, philosophical underpinnings, and practices of utilizing nature to enhance the development of the whole child. This course introduces students to the field of nature-based learning including it...

08/27/2026

“A power stone for your reading powers.” ~ One of the perks of being a teacher is receiving some really special gifts from amazing little humans. This one I received a few years ago, and not gonna lie, when I found it during cleaning today it stopped me in my tracks. Yes, I’ll keep my “power stone” forever and ever!

08/26/2026

Thanks Next Generation VT for inviting me to the Georgia site for a hands on interactive workshop. Nothing brings me more joy than watching teachers make beautiful materials for their children. Hope you all have a wonderful first day back tomorrow!

08/25/2026

My menagerie of puppets expanded over the summer. When the returning preschoolers came to visit they were shocked to see how many new friends came to play! 🤩
So if YOU were coming to play puppets with me, who would you want to be?! And yes, I think we need a puppets play date and we will call it professional development, but we will mostly be silly and make up weird voices!