Thinking about the skills, knowledge, and mindsets in which you wish to gain, why did you come to IslandWood? NOTE: in this context, skills = what you do, knowledge = what you know, and mindsets = how you think about your success.
SKILLS
Broadly speaking, through the EEC program I hope to gain skills through experience working with an age group of children that is a little outside my comfort zone. I feel that there are so many different strategies and teaching methods to be learned by working with a population that is outside of your own “norm” so to speak.
I also hope to gain skills working with populations that are diverse in ways other than age. I do have some experience working with diverse populations in San Jose, but part of appreciating diversity is understanding that every community is different and have their own stories, which I can learn so much from by simply listening.
KNOWLEDGE
In terms of knowledge at the most basic level, I’m really excited to learn more about the flora and fauna of the PNW. I’d like to think that I know a few things, but that hardly scratches the surface of what I grew up with in my backyard. I am excited to learn these new things alongside my students, and from them as well.
I feel like I have already learned so much in the, not even, two weeks in the program thus far. Something that I have really appreciated learning so far is about the importance of hearing people’s stories. I hope to continue to be able to learn from listening to people’s stories throughout this year and moving forward.
MINDSETS
When I think about what I want to gain through my IslandWood experience in terms of mindsets is to gain more confidence in myself and my own abilities as a teacher and a leader. This is a long-term goal of mine, an area where I feel that I have made progress but there is still much more to learn.
Haley’s Adventures in Outdoor Ed 