I’m in a classroom giving a lesson on the ecology of the Hudson River. As I always do, I start the class by asking the students: “How many of you have been down to the River?” And as usual, only about half the students raise their hands. I don’t probe …
Some of my most vivid outdoor memories revolve around the campfire. Whether I was sitting in the laps of my parents with a steaming mug of hot cocoa or wielding sticks with marshmallows, through all these memories there is always one constant: food. As your kids grow up, you might …
As I approach the tree where the eagle often perches, I slow down to see if he’s there. When he is, I stop underneath the tree and thank that eagle for being a source of joy and a dependable community connection. This little connection with nature has been my solace …
You’re sitting in a classroom as a sophomore in college. You’ve recently moved from your rural, inland city to a coastal community bordering Malibu, California. At 19 years old, you feel you have a good understanding of what the world is like, and will be like, for you and your …
My effectiveness as an instructor for Wild Earth is largely determined by my ability to communicate effectively. In the first couple of weeks of my internship (here’s a link to my first post about Wild Earth), I apprenticed as an assistant to different lead instructors, spending two or three days …
Cairns is a small city that sits on the east coast of northern Queensland, Australia – head a bit further east (I recommend you take a boat) and you’re greeted by the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef. Drive north, and you’ll find yourself among the Daintree, the oldest …
Annandale-on-Hudson, NY—In a world that will soon be supporting ten billion people, there is a critical need for educators who can teach the “users manual” for the planet. In support of that goal, Bard College is now accepting applications for fall of 2018 for a new Masters of Education degree …
As I sit here, in my quaint, modest, rural Mexican apartment (at the same time still bigger than my studio apartment my first year at Bard CEP), reflecting over the past three years of my service with the Peace Corps, many thoughts cross my mind. Friends made, relationships built with …
One of the many expectations of a Peace Corps Volunteer, besides learning a new language, a new culture, and which street food vendors to avoid, is to be able to work efficiently in a group setting. The Peace Corps promotes group work over individual work, which is necessary for project …
Analyses of today’s U.S. educational system are everywhere–from media articles and opinion pieces to academic research projects. In recent years, our country’s prescription for poor academic performance has focused on standardized tests and common curricula, coupled with a strict regimen of science- and tech-career preparation. Despite its best intentions, the …
