Outdoor Learning at Agnes Gray
An Interview with Sarah Timm
1. Explain your role and your work
I'm the Outdoor Learning Coordinator at the Agnes Gray School, which is PreK through grade 6, one of each class, here in West Paris in the Oxford Hills School. This is year one of a two-year RREV Grant from the Maine DoE; next year, my work will also involve supporting our other seven elementary schools in creating outdoor learning opportunities for students in grade PreK-6, using our program here at Agnes Gray as a model. My work this year has included planning and teaching with our staff, maintaining our gear and outdoor spaces, and creating special events--like our current Outdoor Reading Challenge. I used a MEEA mini-grant to purchase a classroom set of hammocks, which are now hanging in our "Reading Grove"; teachers can bring their students out to enjoy a good read while they relax in a hammock. My hope with this program is to foster a love of reading outside as students transition to summer vacation.
2. What allows you/supports you in your role/work?
I've been provided with a RREV coach, which has been great support, as well as working closely with our new principal; primarily, however, the incredible enthusiasm of staff and students is a great support, as the school community has really embraced all the new opportunities to work and learn outside. I have also been part of a collaborative of local outdoor educators which meets once a month. There were quite a number of us this past fall who found ourselves in new roles--new to us, as well as new to the organizations for which we work--and we've banded together to share ideas and to problem-solve.
3. What challenges or barriers are there in your role/work?
It's tricky to jump into a job that hasn't been truly defined; there are no footsteps to follow in, or clearly defined priorities. And, in my work as an educator, I tend to try and do it all...which is impossible. So a real challenge has been in making the most of every amazing day that I spend at work, because for every moment I'm in the woods with kids, I'm missing out on something bigger-picture for the program; and if I'm doing something important and bigger-picture, I'm missing out on time in the woods with kids.
4. Share any new ideas/projects or a special story
I love the incredible, natural way--pun intended--that the Outdoor Program has brought together our school community and permeated our school culture. For example, I used grant funds this early spring to purchase an Identiflyer: a handheld device that plays birdsongs. This kicked off an enthusiasm for birding at all ages (staff, too!) that I hadn't imagined. We started doing Bird of the Day on announcements, and kids were learning to identify birds, and--most encouraging--they began to come to me all day, every day, to tell me about birds they'd seen. Without any specific intention, we now have a school full of kids that is noticing and appreciating the natural world in ways that will hopefully stick with them long after they leave our little school.
