Being an Outdoor Educator at Hopkins Forest was one of the most collaborative, rewarding, and transformative experiences I’ve had. From the very first day, it was clear that this program was designed with deep intention—not just in terms of the curriculum we taught, but in how we as educators were encouraged to learn and grow alongside the sixth graders.
Each morning began with a circle of intentionality. We’d sit down together—student leaders and Elise, our incredible leader and the Forest Manager—and talk through what had gone well the previous week and what we might want to adjust. Every voice in the room mattered. I never felt like just a participant—I felt like a co-creator. Whether we were brainstorming tweaks to the bean hunt activity or reflecting on how students responded to a lesson about the Cambrian Explosion, our ideas were heard and integrated. That level of trust and openness made me feel deeply invested in the success of the curriculum and the learning experience for the kids.
Elise was especially thoughtful in preparing us for each group that visited. She would give us background—what kind of school they were coming from, any specific needs or tendencies in the class, or particular things to keep in mind. That care in personalizing each trip showed how seriously we took our roles as educators. We weren’t just teaching sixth graders science—we were meeting them where they were, making learning come alive in a way that was meaningful for them.
And the curriculum itself was just so fun. Even though I did the same core activities each week—like the bean hunt, plant discovery walk, or stream insect exploration—I was never bored. I found myself growing with the kids. Some days they’d teach me something new about a native plant or a local animal species. Those moments reminded me how learning is mutual, and how, when done right, teaching can be a dialogue rather than a lecture.
I loved watching myself evolve—becoming more confident, more curious, more aware of how to guide a group while still leaving space for discovery. This program reminded me that the best learning environments are built on trust, joy, and a shared sense of purpose. I’ll carry these lessons far beyond the forest.
Written by Maya Thompson ’28, HMF Educator
May 22, 2025
