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.
Adam Miller, "Papa Bear"
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Adam has been a Montessori teacher for fourteen years and recently also acquired his Forest Kindergarten certification from Cedarsong Nature School in Vashon, WA. Adam emerged from that training motivated to stay connected with outdoor education and, happily, he has planted his feet at Learning Outside to do exactly that! He enjoys hiking, children, playing the djembe, and tending to his urban farm in Durham. This year, Adam is a lead instructor with our Monday Adventurers and he comes excited to share his love of the outdoors with our Adventurers each week!
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Alix Wicker, "Sassafras"
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Alix grew up outside; exploring the forests near her Durham home and the plants and animals along the banks of the Eno River. Those childhood experiences cemented her lifelong love for the natural world. Alix studied Biology and History at Williams College and also cared for the college’s community garden. She expanded her outdoor skills at Teton Science School and, most recently, taught at Schoolhouse of Wonder. Alix is invested in supporting children’s explorations, discoveries and play in nature. She is excited to be working in our Forest School and Afterschool Nature Clubs!
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Allison Tierney, "Cicada"
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Allison is an artist, an avid gardener and a supporter of local food efforts. She completed her Master of Fine Arts at UNC-CH and has experience both as a teacher in the classroom and working outdoors on the land. She joined Learning Outside as a lead instructor in both our Artists in Nature camp and our Treasure Hunters camp in the summer of 2014 and has taught at Learning Outside every summer since! Allison joined our year-round team in 2017, and teaches in our Forest Kindergarten program, our Trailblazers Afterschool Nature Club and our Trekkers Afterschool Nature Club!
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Christel Greiner Butchart, "Wildflower"
Christel is a teacher at Carolina Friends School and has been a lead instructor at Learning Outside in several of our summer camps and in our Trekkers Afterschool Nature Club since the program began in 2014. This year, she will take a leave from her Trekker teaching but remains a resource to the program. Christel spent 2 years in Australia completing a Masters in International Studies with a focus on peace and conflict resolution. 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!
Emma Nadeau, "Garden Elf"
Emma is passionate about helping children understand where their food comes from. She loves sharing every step of the process with them - from seed to plant to belly! Emma got her Master Gardener certification in 2014 and went on to start a school garden at Frank Porter Graham in CH and is now a happy presence in our Learning Garden each day working with youngsters. When not in the garden, Emma’s playing music in local bands, performing with an educational theater company and tending her small homestead with her family.
Johnny Waken, "Dandelion John"
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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 our programs since Learning Outside began and continues to join us, both as a lead instructor and a guest instructor when he isn't on the road making music. Johnny leads archery sessions in our school-year programs, teaches in our summer camps and provides archery training for instructors. A bowyer, Johnny also hand-carved each and every one of Learning Outside's amazing bows!
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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 and this year is Lead Instructor in our Forest School program. In addition, whenever she can, Maia also teaches in our summer camps.
Mandy Monroe, "Pipsissewa" or "Pip"
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Mandy hopped on board at Learning Outside as an assistant instructor in our 2017 summer camps and immediately felt at home! She graduated from Warren Wilson with degrees in both Biology and Environmental Studies. She was also a volunteer in AmeriCorps Watershed Stewards Project and Peace Corps Ecuador, where she gained valuable teaching experience and honed her conservation skills. Mandy feels most at home when she is working and laughing with others outdoors, and she is thrilled to be a Lead Instructor in our After School Nature Clubs this year! In addition to her work at Learning Outside, Mandy enjoys juggling several part time jobs teaching at Montessori Day School, prepping pastries at Bread & Butter Bakery, and working assignments for the Town of Carrboro Recreation & Parks Department. She is also a resident and board member of the Weaver Community Housing Association.
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Shelby Banning-Arndt, "Tree Frog"
Shelby started at Learning Outside in 2009 as a volunteer on our very first high school Eco-Crew and as a summer camp intern in our first pilot programs. She has remained with Learning Outside ever since, growing her skills as an outdoor educator and emerging as a leader. A lover of the outdoors, she is committed to delivering the benefits of nature-based experiences to support children's learning, growth and development. She is a lead instructor in our Forest Kindergarten, our Monday Adventurers, our Pathfinders program and most of our summer camps. In addition, Shelby is Learning Outside's Assistant Director, project coordinator for our school-year programs and summer camp planner - wielding her magic behind the scenes and making things happen.
Steph Stewart, "Ladybug"
Steph is a Montessori teacher, an instructor at Learning Outside, AND the accomplished musician who leads "Blue Cactus" 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' Afterschool Nature Club and also works in our summer camps. Steph brings a deep understanding of children to her work in our programs as well as a commitment to helping children connect with nature and with one another. We feel so lucky that Learning Outside has remained 'home' for Steph for so many years now!
Wendy Banning, "Tumbleweed"
Wendy is Director and co-founder of Learning Outside. In addition to her leadership role and administrative responsibilities, 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 in 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.