My teaching philosophy promotes social justice and encourages learners to become active stewards of the environment. My teaching methods promote a lifelong love and enthusiasm for the environment. I believe in the power of education to shape our worldview. Through inclusivity and multi-modal ways of learning, I encourage students to make observations about the natural world, and I help them expand on their questions in a way that inspires them to continue to experience awe and wonder. I prioritize student-led activities that align with the desired outcome. One of my favorite aspects of the field trips is getting to know students on a deeper level and connecting with them in the brief time we have. During this time, I am able to see students open up during group and individual activities, and I am able to assess their level of interest and pivot when necessary. During one field trip, we saw a Great Blue Heron, and instead of turning around on the trail, we followed the direction that it flew. Although we didn’t end up seeing it again, we stumbled upon a bridge with lily pads, frogs, and turtles below. We stopped and nature journaled on the bridge while I helped students draw and describe what they were seeing. Although it wasn’t part of our agenda, students said it was their favorite part of the day. I am inspired by children’s passions as outlined in Coyote’s Guide to Connecting with Nature, and looking for the sparkle in each student’s eyes, and following that. I am committed to social justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) in my lessons with learners, as I am motivated by the idea that diversity is a powerful tool that helps us expand our own ways of thinking and being. I encourage students to notice the diversity of their environment and the diversity of their peers’ thoughts and observations to create a holistic understanding of their world.