Experience and much, much more...
Learning Outside's instructors are experienced educators, naturalists and artists who clearly love and understand the natural world. They are gifted individuals who develop warm, supportive relationships with children and who are committed to children's holistic growth and to providing each child with a quality outdoor learning experience.
Allison Tierney, "Cicada"
Christel Greiner Butchart, "Wildflower"
Christel is both a teacher at Carolina Friends School and at Learning Outside. She spent 2 years in Australia completing a Masters in International Studies with a focus on peace and conflict resolution. She teaches at Learning Outside both as co-lead instructor for our Trekkers Afterschool Nature Club each year as well as in our summer camp programs. Both an artist and an educator, Christel connects deeply with children as they share their ideas and observations, collaborate on projects, and apply their creativity. She creates a smile wherever she goes! Emily Sutton, "Mayfly"
Emily joined Learning Outside, Fall 2016, and what a smile to have her with us! She is a co-lead instructor with our Outdoor Explorers, our Trailblazers and our Thursday Adventurers. An experienced outdoor educator, she most recently taught at Schoolhouse of Wonder in Wake County. Emily completed her degree in Sustainable Development with a focus on Environmental Education at Appalachian State. She brings seasoned skills in outdoor learning to her work with children in the natural world. She also brings an amazing sense of fun! Johnny Waken, "Dandelion John"
Johnny is a master naturalist, musician, archer and wilderness skills specialist. He is knowledgeable in tracking, wild plant identification and the many 'critters' of the Piedmont. Johnny has been a lead instructor in many of our programs over the years. He continues to join our programs, both as a lead instructor and as a guest instructor when he isn't on the road making music. He leads archery sessions for our school-year programs, teaches in our summer camps and provides archery training for our instructors.
|
|
Justin LaBoda, "Pom Pom"
Justin joined our team in the fall of 2015, and works in both our school-year programs as well as in our summer camps. A lover of the outdoors, Justin brings both his easy-going humor as well as expertise to his daily experiences in nature with children. He has a degree in Horticultural Science from NC State and worked as a Farm Manager Intern in Wisconsin as well as a Horticultural Intern in Raleigh. His passions include mushrooms and great food - hence his trail name, Pom Pom; common name for the delectable mushroom Hericium Erinaceus, cooked-up and enjoyed all around the world!
Keith Orlando, "Wild Man"
|
Keith is an experienced naturalist, primitive skills specialist and master gardener. He brings a wealth of knowledge about the critters and wild plants of NC to his work with children. Keith began as a lead instructor in our Trailblazer program and has, since, been an ongoing instructor with us each summer in our incredible fort-building camps. Keith's skills as a carpenter have also supported Learning Outside's efforts to continually enhance and enrich our outdoor classroom spaces for children. He built our Mud Kitchen and was the force behind making our current, safer chicken space.
|
Maia Derewicz, "Wood Thrush"
Maia is an outdoor enthusiast as well as an experienced music teacher, Spanish teacher and singer-songwriter. Maia supports children in their explorations and play outdoors with her steady, grounded presence. She integrates nature games of all sorts into her work with children as well as movement and improvisation in response to the sounds and rhythms of the natural world. Maia has been a lead teacher in many of our programs since Learning Outside began. In addition, whenever she can, Maia also teaches in our summer camps.
Shelby Banning-Arndt, "Tree Frog"
Shelby started at Learning Outside in 2009 and has been with us ever since. She loves the outdoors and has a deep commitment to the benefits of outdoor experiences on children's learning, growth and development. She is a year-round lead instructor in many of our programs including our Forest Kindergarten, our Thursday Adventurers, and our summer camps. In addition to her role as a lead instructor, Shelby is also Learning Outside's Administrative Assistant and summer camp coordinator - wielding her magic behind the scenes and making things happen.
Steph Stewart, "Garden Fairy"
Steph is a Montessori teacher, an instructor at Learning Outside, AND the accomplished musician who leads "Steph Stewart & the Boyfriends!" Steph is an organic gardener with a deep commitment to sustainability, hands-on learning and supporting children's experiences outdoors. She is a lead instructor in our Adventurers' After School Nature Club as well as working in our forts' camps each summer and we feel so fortunate that she has called Learning Outside her 'home' for many years now!
Wendy Banning, "Tumbleweed"
Wendy is Director and co-founder of Learning Outside. In addition to her leadership and administrative roles, she mentors Learning Outside's instructors, develops new curriculum and programs and is a lead teacher in our Forest Kindergarten and Trekker programs as well as our summer camps. She is an experienced classroom teacher, outdoor learning teacher-trainer, author and photographer. Wendy co-authored Lens on Outdoor Learning with Ginny Sullivan, published by Redleaf Press in 2011.
