Reflective Commentary 

My teaching philosophy starts with the inclusion of all people that I come across. Specifically, making every person I reach feel heard, seen, and welcomed with warmth, gratitude, and encouragement. The number one rule that I set for myself, at the beginning of my undergraduate at the University of Oregon in the environmental leadership program is to find joy in anything I do and showcase that to others. That is why I constantly challenge myself to show up as the best version of myself. So, I can display that to my students and actively promote/advocate that being your most authentic self IS your best self. And that is where better learning occurs when an environment is equitable, with place-based lessons, and has clear alignment for awareness to action objectives/learning outcomes. 

I also would like to include the importance of energy and rhythm in the classroom and in the field. For me, this is more of a holistic approach to teaching and how I see and navigate life in general. However, energies inherently match energies, and I find this to be one of the most important aspects of teaching. An example of matching energies is in the morning of a field trip at HJ Andrews, when students have gotten off the bus, and facilitators are welcoming in each student, reassuring them that they are in the right place, and guiding them where they need to go, this creates a sense of belonging and a sense of place for any given individual, especially creating a safe and structured atmosphere for all. I can see this matching of energy especially in smaller group activities. If I, as a facilitator, am energetic and enthusiastic when talking with the students, I will receive higher engagement and more energy reflected back to me.

From an early age and being an Oregonian I have always had a sense of needing to connect with nature. Through the University of Oregon, Environmental Leadership Program, I was given the opportunity to introduce middle school students to HJ Andrews Experimental Forest in Blue River, Oregon. Partnering with three local middle schools around Eugene, I was able to put my leadership, organizational, and facilitator skills to the ultimate test, forming and being a part of a solid team of undergraduate teachers. With years of experience in childcare development and hospitality, I fostered an equitable learning environment for all students at HJ Andrews and in the classrooms. Each week, ELP is reaching to promote and inspire long-term change, with place-based learning objectives, and with student-led conversations surrounding the topic of climate change and indigenous justice. The environmental leadership program sparked my interest in becoming an educator in the future. Overall, this program sheds light on not only the environmental crises and how to navigate these unprecedented times but how to get involved in your community to create and inspire change.