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Shannon Barger

Riverside County Office of Education, Induction Candidate
CalStateTEACH, Multiple Subject Credential
University of Washington, M.Ed: Curriculum and Instruction 
Humboldt State University, B.A. Recreation Administration

"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better it's not." - Dr. Seuss

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I want to be part of the "unless" by helping to inspire and mold the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts, natural scientists, and environmental stewards.  I am passionate about outdoor education, leadership and team development, and helping students build an understanding of how they fit in to natural ecosystems. I am also excited to help mentor staff and educators to do this as well. 

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With experience teaching and implementing programs under my belt, I am excited to engage in education with program design, development, and implementation. 

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In addition to being an educator, I am someone who loves being in the forest and mountains and recreating outdoors.

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As an educator, I believe it is my duty to help prepare my students to thrive as they grow as members of their community and global citizens.  For me, this means teaching outside of the bounds of a subject. 

This photo shows a group of my students as they just completed a team challenge course task together.  Activities like this provide an opportunity for students to practice leadership, problem solving, and teamwork.  They must remember that the goals - communication, safety, teamwork and fun - are more important than the task of balancing the platform

Almost more valuable than the activity and challenge itself, facilitating  an effective debrief is vital to making this into a rich learning experience for the students.

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I believe education goes beyond the classroom and the boundaries of subjects. A whole child education should incorporate leadership development, teamwork, and problem solving skills as well.  I want my students to be equipped with life-long skills that will prepare them for the future. 

The image on the right shows my students taking turns navigating our group through Pioneer Park as we investigated animal habitats.  The map they are using was created as a team project where all members were involved.  The students participated in authority sharing as they chose the next leader.  

While it took some time to come to an agreement, all members of the team felt heard and empowered.  

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I believe that, as an outdoor informal educator, I have a unique opportunity to help foster connections between my  students and the natural world.  If today's youth create a personal investment in the future of our planet through these relationships, perhaps we have a chance to combat climate change?

This photo shows my students with "each one teach one" cards.  These cards provide information about organisms in our local ecosystems.  Each student becomes the expert on their organism and gets to teach the rest of the group about it once they find it. 

In curriculum design, I look to create opportunities for students to have ownership over information and to hold space in the learning setting.  Rather than remaining in the role of the learner, tools such as these cards provide a chance for the students to be the knowledge holder and create an in depth relationship with a part of the ecosystem.

Shannon Barger 2022

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