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Professional Development Workshops

Climate-focused Professional Learning Series

A Just Recovery through Reconciliation

Natural Curiosity and Green Teacher are excited to launch a climate-focused virtual professional learning series to support a just recovery from COVID-19. This series is for educators who wish to deepen their own inquiry into the ecology of natural curiosity — growing a learning environment where educators and students experience themselves in relationship with the Land and each other in community — and how this pedagogical approach can be applied to climate change education.

Over the course of six months, educators will explore the four-branch framework of environmental inquiry and the associated Indigenous lenses, that present tangible entry points towards a reciprocal relationship with the Land participating as a co-teacher. This framework will be applied to a solutions-focused approach to climate change education that leaves students both informed and empowered about the challenges and opportunities of anthropogenic climate change. Strategies to overcome barriers will be discussed in a safe and collegial online environment where educators may process their experiences, ask questions, and share stories. A Slack communication channel will be created to allow for conversation and mutual support between sessions.

Dates and times:  October 26th – April 5th, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm ET; 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm PST

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October 26

Introduction to the Four Branches of Natural Curiosity and the Indigenous Lenses:
❏ NC focus: Exploring the pedagogical framework and the Indigenous lenses
❏ Climate focus: Inquiry-based exploration of climate change — asking the big questions

November 16

Branch 1 & Indigenous Lens I: Inquiry and Engagement/Lighting the Fire:
❏ NC focus: Learning from the heart and from the land; connecting to the natural world through an inquiry approach
❏ Climate focus: exploring climate issues and making connections

December 7

Branch 2 & Indigenous Lens II: Experiential Learning/Sending Out Roots:
❏ NC focus: Getting outside, addressing barriers and effective strategies for enhancing our relationship with the land
❏ Climate focus: Learning local and from the land

January 18

Branch 3 & Indigenous Lens III: Integrated Learning/The Flow of Knowledge:
❏ NC focus: Deepening our inquiry through interconnections
❏ Climate focus: Sharing community-based solutions

February 22

Branch 4 & Indigenous Lens IV: Moving Towards Sustainability/Breathing With The World:
❏ NC focus: Building reciprocal relationships with the natural world
❏ Climate focus: Teaching a systems-based approach to climate action

April 5

Putting it into Action:
❏ NC focus: Applying and sharing Natural Curiosity through educator stories
❏ Climate focus: Sharing high-impact practices in climate change education

Learning Goals

  • Develop comfort with inquiry-based teaching

The four branches of NC

Knowledge building with students

Placing student voice, interest, and heart at the centre of their learning

  • Develop a relationship with Indigenous perspectives

What is the Indigenous lens on Natural Curiosity?

Land acknowledgements and principles of reciprocity

How can we use the Indigenous lens of NC to introduce Indigenous stories and history?

  • Develop comfort going outdoors

Addressing barriers to getting outside regularly

NC in all weather

Benefit/risk assessment

Scaffolding students’ capacity to risk assess

  • Develop comfort with inquiry-based climate change education

Learning local and from the land

Systems thinking

Focusing on solutions

Required Reading

At the end of the workshop series, educators will receive a certificate of participation, along with access to recordings and resources.

Contacts:

NC Contact: Haley Higdon, naturalcuriosity@utoronto.ca

GT Contact: Ian Shanahan, ian@greenteacher.com, 613-475-4925

We are able to offer this workshop free of charge thanks to funding from Community Foundations of Canada / Fondations Communautaires du Canada as part of the Canada Healthy Communities Initiative.