Episode 69 - Creating a Forest School as a Village woven with Healing and Support with Danielle Zola LMSW, M.S.Ed

Episode 69 - Creating a Forest School as a Village woven with Healing and Support with Danielle Zola LMSW, M.S.Ed

Author: Ricardo Sierra February 1, 2024 Duration: 1:03:29
My guest in this episode found her way to 'nature based education' under duress, like so many program leaders.    Danielle Zola shares her visionary journey that was propelled by the needs of the children, and the needs of parents, and the desire to not 'settle' for the status quo.    It's the most painful thing to see our very young children suffering in a school system that struggles or fails to be flexible and adapt to student needs, so stepping away from that model was a first step towards something new and innovative.      She and her partner Kerin Una began a community based forest school that also included strong elements of parental healing and inner growth.    Creating that kind of safe environment was challenging and rewarding, requiring deep vulnerability on the part of everyone involved.   Danielle led by example, and found a way forward, overcoming challenges and adapting to the needs of the village.   Her story is profound and inspiring, offering a unique model that is full of hope and promise for a new way of imagining our lives. Website:     https://www.rootsandwingsvillage.org/ Instagram:     https://www.instagram.com/daniellezolalmsw/?hl=en Instagram:    https://www.instagram.com/rootsandwingsvillage/?hl=en Linktree:      https://bio.site/rootsandwingsvillage Facebook:    https://www.facebook.com/rootsandwingsvillage Podcast:       https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rooted-resilient Join the Forest Educator Patreon! https://patreon.com/ForestEducatorPodcast Connect with Ricardo: https://www.foresteducator.com/ https://www.theforestboxforkids.com/ https://www.hawkcircle.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricardo-sierra-5980931/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_forest_educator_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

Ricardo Sierra has spent over three decades working in wilderness education, and that depth of experience shapes every conversation in Forest Educator with Ricardo Sierra. This isn't a lecture series; it's a collection of genuine dialogues with educators and practitioners around the world who are actively reimagining how we learn in and with the natural world. You'll hear from people integrating nature into schoolyards, running innovative forest camps, and applying outdoor principles in surprising business and leadership contexts. The discussions are grounded in the practical realities of the field-think less about abstract theory and more about tangible tools, adaptable strategies, and the honest challenges these pioneers face. Released twice weekly, each episode feels like pulling up a stump in the woods to listen in on a candid exchange between colleagues. Whether you're directly involved in outdoor programming, curious about the intersection of wilderness and professional development, or simply believe in the transformative power of a hands-on education, this podcast offers a steady source of inspiration and actionable insight drawn directly from the front lines of nature-based learning.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Forest Educator with Ricardo Sierra | A Podcast for Revolutionary Conversations about Nature-Based Education
Podcast Episodes
Episode 148 - Forest Educator Spotlight: Navigating the Hard Days [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:30
"Hard Days" are an inevitable part of life as an educator. It is critical that we have effective strategies to cope, whether that's using physical sensations to reset the mind or allowing ourselves to fully feel and proc…