Listen "Different School Approaches – Let Kids Be Kids! "
Episode Synopsis
Dr. Rhea, Jill Wood and Amanda McMickle, are back to continue their discussion with guest moderator, Sarah Mercado, from KPICD, on unstructured play in schools. This time, they compare various play-focused school settings, the models behind them, and how to garner parental and school staff support.
Jill Wood founded Adventure Play at The Parish School in 2008 and has operated it since. Every year she grows towards a better understanding of play by: listening to children; reflecting on her own adult privilege; and being humbled by what is possible when you give children time to create their own space and culture. She founded Bayou City Play in 2013, a collective of artists, therapists, and librarians who advocate for play in the Houston metro area. She is also a school librarian.
Amanda McMickle is the Vice President of Education at the Cibolo Center for Conservation in Boerne, Texas. She has been a leader of nature-based schools ranging from public to private, early childhood to Kinder-6th grade. Amanda is the founder of NEST - Nature-based Education Support in Texas which is a regional group that meets monthly to discuss nature-based philosophy, best practices, and advocacy. Amanda currently sits on the leadership board of Natural Start Alliance and the governing boards of Families in Nature and International Play Association-USA Chapter. Amanda is working on her Ph.D. in a program at the University of the Incarnate Word entitled Adult Education, Social Innovation, and Entrepreneurship.
Other resources mentioned in this episode:
PlayWork
Jill Wood founded Adventure Play at The Parish School in 2008 and has operated it since. Every year she grows towards a better understanding of play by: listening to children; reflecting on her own adult privilege; and being humbled by what is possible when you give children time to create their own space and culture. She founded Bayou City Play in 2013, a collective of artists, therapists, and librarians who advocate for play in the Houston metro area. She is also a school librarian.
Amanda McMickle is the Vice President of Education at the Cibolo Center for Conservation in Boerne, Texas. She has been a leader of nature-based schools ranging from public to private, early childhood to Kinder-6th grade. Amanda is the founder of NEST - Nature-based Education Support in Texas which is a regional group that meets monthly to discuss nature-based philosophy, best practices, and advocacy. Amanda currently sits on the leadership board of Natural Start Alliance and the governing boards of Families in Nature and International Play Association-USA Chapter. Amanda is working on her Ph.D. in a program at the University of the Incarnate Word entitled Adult Education, Social Innovation, and Entrepreneurship.
Other resources mentioned in this episode:
PlayWork
ZARZA We are Zarza, the prestigious firm behind major projects in information technology.