Support for Schools & Childcare Programs

Anne Stires Educational Consulting, LLC inspires vitality for and offers hope to teaching and learning through meaningful nature connection experiences. We support educators and administrators in childcare programs and preK-8th grade public schools in Maine and beyond by modeling lessons, providing integrated professional development, and giving hands-on workshops and providing resources about outdoor learning. Outdoor teaching and learning has been proven to support the mental, physical, and social health and wellbeing of students, teachers, and school communities, as well as the planet by increasing vital human responses such as care and connection. May we listen deeply to indigenous people, continue to learn from their ways of knowing, and work together to establish education outdoors as a reality for all.  

See below for details on the many types of workshops and programs offered by our consultancy.

  • -Risk Management Outdoors (Creating and Evaluating Safe and Healthy Risk-Taking Activities and Learning Environments)

    -Social Emotional Learning and Nature Connection (a series of several workshops since we teach a 4-day summer course about this, or a stand alone primer)

    -Literacy Outdoors (EC and Elementary)

    -Math Outdoors (EC and Elementary)

    -Place-based Studies (Science and Social Studies)

    -Integrated Arts and Nature Connection (bookmaking, learning tools, and nature inspired curriculum)

    -Routines and Rhythms of Nature Connection/Orienting to the Natural Cycle

    -Designing Indoor and Outdoor Classrooms (creating a permeable wall between inside and outside)

    -Nature Connected Gatherings--beginning and ending the day outdoors (designing class meetings to be rich in academic, social-emotional, and physical content

    -Designing and Implementing Early Childhood Centers Outdoors (PreK/K)

    -Assessing Outdoor Play for Learning/Understanding and for Use in Developing Meaningful Emergent Curriculum (Using Lens on Outdoor Learning "standards") PreK-3rd grade

    -Teacher Wellness How do we take care of ourselves so we can take care of others? A two hour workshop filled with play, relaxation, and healthy snacks!
    (See more about this course below in our Wellness section).

    • TEACHING WITH NATURE I: AN INTRODUCTION TO NATURE CONNECTION

      facilitated by Marie Robinson & Anne Stires

      Teaching with Nature I: An Introduction to Nature Connection and Outdoor Learning is a 3.5 day teacher, childcare provider, therapist, or social worker education course taught in collaboration between Antioch University, the Juniper Hill Center for Educator Renewal, and Anne Stires Educational Consulting, LLC. We will focus on culturally responsive nature connection and outdoor learning topics including: site and place awareness, safety and risk management, curriculum development, and natural history of local flora and fauna. Local naturalists and additional teachers will be highlighted as needed for key activities and concepts. Participants will complete the fun-filled and refreshing professional development workshop with a wealth of resources and information. The course will provide participants with a strong baseline from which to delve deeper into outdoor- and community-based schooling for pre-K, kindergarten, and elementary-aged children (primarily for up to grade 5).*

    • TEACHING WITH NATURE II: SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING AND NATURE CONNECTION

      facilitated by Kate Ziminsky and Anne Stires

      Teaching with Nature II: Social Emotional Learning and Nature Connection is a 3.5-day teacher, childcare provider, therapist, or social worker education course, taught in collaboration between Antioch University, the Juniper Hill Center for Educator Renewal, and Anne Stires Educational Consulting, LLC. There is no better context to develop self awareness, practice relationship skills, engage in responsible decision making, and address the needs of the whole child, than when immersed in the natural world in a culturally responsive way. Nature connection provides the ideal structure for children to explore their interests, examine their emerging identities, and grow empathy for, and connection to, all living things. The course will provide participants will build on the concepts of Teaching with Nature I (not a prerequisite, but it is recommended) as a baseline from which to delve deeper into social emotional learning and nature connection topics for prekindergarten, kindergarten, and elementary and middle school-aged children (though grade 8).*

      Longer courses are $1200 (add $400 if taking for Antioch graduate credit)

      Register HERE

  • BE-ING IN NATURE: A WELLNESS RETREAT FOR EDUCATORS
    Renewal Retreat for Teachers in Schools and Childcare Programs, facilitated by several Maine-based wellness practitioners–Charlene Lutz, Mae Corwin, Elise Voigt, Carrie Levine, and Anne Stires

    What a challenging few years it has been…If you are an educator who has been working around the clock to help your students, school communities, and families survive (and even thrive) during this pandemic, you are ready for a day of retreat. Join us for a relaxing and immersive day of renewal in nature with your education colleagues! A host of wellness practitioners will facilitate restorative and generative workshops in yoga, art, breath, play, functional medicine, and nature connection. You will also be treated to a beautiful and healthy lunch. After a day of nature and wellness connection, everyone is sure to leave calm, refreshed, and ready to begin summer–balanced and barefoot.

    This year dates: June 24, 2022
    $0-$100 on a sliding scale
    Register HERE