Observing Teton 5th

For the Fall Teaching Practicum, I will be apart of the Outreach Team.  This is a really awesome opportunity for several grad students to teach programs off of Kelly Campus and in various schools throughout the state of Wyoming.

Before we are able to start teaching, we are given the opportunity to observe others so we can get an idea on the teaching techniques and curriculum that TSS offers its students.  This week, we begin to observe TSS faculty teach field programs on the Kelly Campus.  In addition, the Outreach Team will also observe at the Journeys School to understand 'in-classroom' teaching as well since we will be teaching in and out of a classroom while on the road.

My Favorite Time of Year...Autumn and the Turning!

Today, we were able to observe Kate Bodey, our Outreach Team Leader, in the SCAR Teton 5th Field Program.  This program is very cool where students are taught SCAR communities.  Students will be able to visit and explore communities such as the Sagebrush, Conifer, Aspen, and Riparian communities.  They are able to differentiate between the four and create their own research project basing them off these communities and the various other programs they participate in.

Brotherly Love...Morning Massages!

All ready to go, the graduate students prepared, followed, and observed with TSS faculty in programming all week to help us prepare for our own teaching of program the following week. 

Such a Fashionista!  Em-J and Her Hunting Vests!
Safety First!

From Teamwork, Expectations of Group, Self, Instructors, and Environment, and Environmental Ecosystems/Communities to activities, projects, and games of camouflage, we observed full day and evening programs all week.

A Hiking We Will Go...Through the Aspens!

Very interesting to wear bright orange vests and hats as we hiked through trails.  We still hike in hunting country.  Very different from back home where we completely shut off and close down certain trails to hunting.

Elk Remains!

Seeing students explore with curious eyes and eager minds makes me love teaching.  Showing them really cool natural history specimens and letting them have fun outside is incredibly rewarding.  To also watch faculty teach gives us confidence and understanding on how TSS runs its environmental education programming and how we can learn from them to be better teachers ourselves.

Teamwork and Leadership with Teton 5th!

Watching Kate was really fun to watch.  Her excitement, engagement, and ways to manage her group was really inspiring and very helpful for how I should and can manage my students.  The most rewarding part of observing Kate was the excitement and teamwork the students expressed!

Such a Great Group of Students!

Being a visual learner is a great way to understand information and concepts.  Observing Kate in the field gave me a lot of confidence and understanding for when I teach in the next few weeks for my Fall Practicum.  Can't wait until I start next week with Saratoga!

Almost in full swing!

TheChristyBel