207: Beyond Forest School: Trusting Children, Nature & Ourselves with Mel Merchand
About this episode
Victoria Hackett interviews Mel Merchand about building a thriving forest school and the importance of trusting children and nature in education.
What happens when we trust children, trust nature, and trust ourselves enough to do education differently? In this episode of the Outdoor Classrooms Podcast, Victoria Hackett sits down with Mel Merchand, founder of Oro-Medonte Forest School, to explore what it really takes to build a thriving forest school and nature-based learning community. Going beyond the basics, Mel shares the behind-the-scenes realities of leading a forest school—from mentoring educators and building a strong culture to partnering with families, embracing thoughtful risk, and continually evolving as a nature-based educator. In this episode, we discuss: What most people misunderstand about forest schools The behind-the-scenes work that creates meaningful outdoor learning Hiring and mentoring exceptional forest school educators Helping families embrace child-led learning and risky play How nature continues to shape Mel's own journey as an educator The future of forest schools and outdoor education Whether you're just beginning your outdoor teaching journey or have been leading outdoor classrooms for years, this conversation will inspire you to think more deeply about what it means to trust children, trust…
More episodes of Outdoor Classrooms Podcast
- 208: The Life We Model: What Children Learn from the Way We Live
- 206: Nature According to Children: Voices from the Secret Gardens Outdoor Classroom
- 205: Nature, Neuroscience & Meaning: What We’re Learning About Connection, Awe & the Developing Brain
- 204: Nature in the Classroom with Ernesto Rodriguez: Creating Calmer, More Focused Learning Spaces
- 203: Summer Outdoor Classroom Ideas Across Four Teaching Gardens
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