Teacher Spotlight: Kathryn Hartman
Kathryn Hartman has had many different roles during her experiences with NatureBridge. Over her four visits to NatureBridge’s Olympic campus, she has been a teacher, a parent chaperone and most recently, an administrator working toward her principal certification for the Port Angeles School District in Washington. For Kathryn, it is essential that the learning experiences her students have outside the classrooms work in tandem with what they are learning in the classroom. “I bring my students to NatureBridge for the hands-on learning experiences that connect to the region and topics relevant to their learning,” Kathryn says. “This is a program that is literally in our own backyard that creates connections to what we are learning in the classroom to our natural surroundings in a meaningful and powerful way.”
They are able to take what they learn in the outside world and apply it to the classroom where they can continue their learning. This quality experience creates connections that continue beyond the initial trip and can be referred back to throughout the year.Kathryn Hartman, Administrative Intern and Teacher, Port Angeles School District
But it’s not just the parallels to the curriculum that are important to Kathryn. She knows that even the most interesting material can fall flat if students aren’t engaged. That is why Kathryn continues to bring her students to NatureBridge programs. “The programs are engaging and well-run by staff and provide students with captivating lessons that create great learning experiences and group bonding at the same time,” she explains.
NatureBridge is set up to utilize the natural environment and extended day to show that learning doesn’t need to be confined to four walls and a traditional schedule. It takes concepts that may be presented in a textbook format and brings the content alive and up close for students to interact with.Kathryn Hartman, Administrative Intern and Teacher, Port Angeles School District
As for the lasting impact, Kathryn sees indelible transformations in her students regularly. Aside from the field science experiments, team-building activities and social and emotional learning, students take with them a sense of joy and wonder well into the future. “I have heard stories told years later from students that this was their favorite memory of the entire school year from multiple kids,” Kathryn notes. “They remember their experiences, the songs and the fun they had learning.”
Photos courtesy of Kathryn Hartman
Stories
2024 Student of the Year: Kai Diaz
At NatureBridge, we celebrate the stewards of today and foster the development of the stewards of tomorrow, working to inspire environmental stewardship in all our participants. Our goal is to motivate our students to make waves and be changemakers in their communities and for our planet.
Each year, NatureBridge honors a student who has demonstrated leadership, growth and a commitment to protecting our natural world as a result of their participation in a NatureBridge program. This year’s honoree will be recognized and will speak at An Evening Outside with NatureBridge on Thursday, May 16 at our Golden Gate campus.
We are thrilled to announce our 2024 Student of the Year: Kai Diaz.
An Interview with Evening Outside Keynote Speaker Dr. Britt Wray
The minute we found out about the work of Dr. Britt Wray, we knew we wanted to learn more about her. A well-respected author and scientist, Dr. Wray possesses expertise in an area of research we talk about a lot at NatureBridge—specifically how we can be resilient, hopeful, and actionable amid a changing world, including the climate crisis. We’re thrilled that Dr. Wray will be joining us on May 16 for An Evening Outside with NatureBridge as our Featured Speaker. Ahead of the event, we had the chance to ask her a few questions relating to her work and her connection to the mission of NatureBridge.
Staff Spotlight: Appreciation for Miho Aida
Miho Aida (she/they) has held multiple roles at NatureBridge over the past twenty-four years, including Environmental Science Educator, Community Connection Coordinator, Field Staff Scientist, Marine Project Coordinator, Pacific Rim Environmental Education Specialist, Armstrong Scholars Educator, Diversity Coordinator, Equity and Inclusion Manager, and Director of Equity and Inclusion. Now, on the eve of Miho's departure, we asked them to reflect on their time at NatureBridge and share a bit about their upcoming adventures.