Hello, I’m Summer.
Currently, I am a full-time Environmental Educator at a non-profit organization in California. I am an alumni of University of Washington, where I earned a Master’s in Education and a certificate in Restoration Ecology.
In my first year of graduate school I completed IslandWood’s certification in Education for Environment and Community. During this program, I wrote the majority of the blog posts found on this site.
My Philosophy of Education:
I believe in experiential education where educators are facilitators of learning opportunities, creating brave spaces for students to stretch their thinking. This means honoring all sources of knowledge particularly from the students, local cultures and our Mother Earth. In the vein of Howard Gardner’s multiple intelligences, I believe that everyone is naturally talented in their own ways and that those natural aptitudes can be effectively harnessed and developed through intentional teamwork activities, thoughtful questioning and personal reflection. Ensuring an inclusive learning environment where all voices are able to be heard is of utmost importance as well as establishing a learning environment based upon mutual respect. I believe in the integration of academic and social-emotional learning, taking a holistic approach to educate the whole person. In this manner, I see the purpose of education as preparing students for life outside of the classroom; and the job of educators to help students develop the essential skills of critical and creative thinking, and the ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with others.
