This fall I am giving myself a small celebration for 16 years in my field as an environmental educator. In honor of this sweet sixteen, I’m sharing a reflection on the evolution of my career, and a slideshow of my favorite work pictures.
In May 2009, I graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a B.Sc. in General Biology, and a job waiting for me and my friend Liz in the Florida Keys as research scuba divers. The job involved diving and monitoring lobster populations on illegal fishing structures in the Gulf…and since those were illegal we weren’t really supposed to talk about what we were doing. But, it didn’t take long for me to realize that talking about what we were doing was what I really wanted to do; so after a few months of this, I left Florida to join the ranks of teachers at Nature’s Classroom. And as they say, the rest is history.
It’s hard to believe I’ve been in the field of environmental education for 16 years now. That’s longer than I’ve lived anywhere as an adult. It’s longer than I’ve held a job at any one place. But, no matter where you work, the principles of EE stay the same: connect people to nature. (And, not so far beneath the surface, hope that you are saving the world.)
Never in a hundred years did I think I’d be doing this on my own, as a business. In some ways, I’m not cut out for it, and it probably won’t be a lifelong venture for me. But in other ways, it’s so freeing and easy and allows me to work with so many different kinds of people, which I love…so I’ll keep going for now!
Understanding how best to integrate my science background and my religious background is my constant growing edge. When I discerned this was my path in 2021, and I decided a solo business was the best way to go about it, I knew I didn’t have the theological education to match my science education. What I did have was a lifelong practice of faith and ministry, lived within the Episcopal Christian tradition that values prayer, praise and service alongside respect and love for others. We are reminded of this constantly by the words of Jesus encouraging us to love and care for each other: “A new commandment I give you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” (John 13:34)
I continue to develop my philosophy of nature education and Christian practice. What is becoming clear to me is that it revolves around noticing. When given the right pathway, people’s natural awareness and attention become a form of prayer. This is certainly true for me. I also think that cultivating our innate awareness and attention is a powerful antidote to the fear, loneliness and division among us.
Two quotes currently inform my pedagogy. Louis Pasteur, father of the life-saving vaccine, said “In the field of observation, chance favors the prepared mind.” And Simone Weil, 20th century French philosopher and mystic, said “Attention, taken to its highest degree, is a form of prayer.” These wise words are charting my path forward for now.
It’s been a good fall! I ate cattail rhizomes, found mushrooms covered in snot slime, helped ID an endangered turtle, taught 40 people to make black birch tea, got kids excited to hawkwatch, and painted watercolors in the pouring rain with preschoolers. As my fall 2025 season wraps up, I wish myself a Happy Careeriversary. Cheers to 16 years and here’s hoping for many more.
