My teaching philosophy is rooted in the transformative power of education, emphasizing an inclusive and student-centered approach that fosters a love for nature, promotes social justice, and empowers students to become active stewards of our environment. Informed by my background in psychology, I prioritize personal well-being and self-esteem, adapting my teaching methods to cater to diverse learning styles. I know that a teacher believing in you can be influential, so I continue to believe every human can learn. Whilst there is a conformist societal narrative rooted in the education system, I believe that a student is good at what they do even if that is unique. My lesson plans have established a mode for students to observe nature through sit spots, letting the young scientists reflect on the world around them. Although we encourage the students to draw and write what they see, many students immediately say they don't want to draw and they are not good at it. When I first began to teach, I would say “It doesn't matter if you are good at drawing, it is fun!”. I then put myself in my educational past, and remembered how frustrated I would get while comparing my art to my grade-level peers, thinking I was not good enough at drawing to continue, I only really started drawing again as a young adult. I then reframed my thoughts and began saying to every student “Everyone is good at drawing, we all have our own cool individual style”. After I encouraged individuality,  many students came to me with illustrated observations and proudly stated that they wanted to start drawing at home. Self-awareness as a teacher is paramount to me; I continually reflect on my practices to better serve my students, drawing from my experiences as a student in outdoor education to shape my curriculum. My underlying values are driven by a passion for environmental learning, and a commitment to social justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion(JEDI). I am motivated by the belief that education is a powerful tool for positive change, both for individuals and for our planet. To ensure that my teaching reflects these values, I employ the JEDI model, creating a space where diversity is celebrated within the teachings of ecosystem importance. Additionally, I utilize the Awareness to Action model to inspire students to care about environmental issues through hands-on learning experiences.