COLLABORATIVE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADMINISTRATORS AND DIRECTORS
In alliance with Antioch University, Anne Stires co-facilitated professional learning communities for Maine public school administrators and early childcare center directors for many years. With Maine Early Childhood Outdoors is part of a group of nature-based early childhood professionals working on advocacy and licensing projects here in Maine in order to support systemic change for children and the environment. She also serves on the board of two nature-based organizations here in Maine, Tanglewood/Blueberry Cove 4H Camp and Learning Centers and Maine GearShare. Being a former school founder and director herself, she can utilize all of these varied experiences of leadership to support the nature-based journeys of school/district administrators and directors of programs.
Additionally, Anne leads workshops and speaking engagements at regional and national conferences, teaches several courses as a Senior Lecturer and affiliate faculty member of Antioch University, and coordinates retreats, workshops, and courses for educators at the Maine Center for Educator Renewal with like-minded colleagues. Anne Stires works closely with innovative consultants: Kate Ziminsky, Sue Ford, Marie Robinson, and others; these educators, therapists, wellness practitioners, and administrative leaders provide professional development opportunities with Anne Stires Educational Consulting, LLC and on their own. Alongside administrators, Anne and her colleagues can develop and implement meaningful, impactful professional development for whole school communities.
A NOTE FROM ANNE TO THE PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITIES
RE-IMAGINING EDUCATION AND CO-CREATING CHANGE!
Professional Learning Communities for Maine Administrators:
Connecting Outdoor, Nature-based Leaders of PreK-Grade 8 Public Schools and Early Child Care Centers
A historical post from the years following the pandemic: “Why outdoor learning and nature connection? Why now? Why not? What are the concerns? How do we implement outdoor learning in small steps? How do we make sure it continues into the colder weather and post-pandemic? How do we get teachers the professional development and support they need? How do we ensure equitable and culturally responsive outdoor learning opportunities for all students and teachers? These are some of the questions we have been asking and hearing from schools across Maine since COVID-19 changed our world. As the 2020-21 school year began, many Maine schools embraced a shift toward outdoor learning--but now, administrators, teachers, school communities, and students need continued support more than ever.”
As one way to meet that need and expand reach, we formed a Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) for Administrators of bothe elementary schools and of childcares who continue to lead their programs/schools/districts to be models of “nature connection and outdoor-based teaching and learning.” The Administrator PLCs began with a virtual meeting on January 28th, 2021 to share what was happening at schools across Maine. Following the introductory meeting, the group met every two months through May. We held a single day summer retreat for Nature-based Administrators to plan for the 2021-22 school year and met monthly for nearly two more subsequent years to share resources, meet and talk with innovators in the field, and visit each other’s sites. We created a mission/vision/values statements and position statements. One of our other goals was to create a handbook to support other regions to establish Administrator Professional Learning Communities for schools and districts committed to equitable nature connection and outdoor learning. We advised a few other states to begin groups of their own.