SummaryIn episode 48 of Stories Sustain Us, James Fester shares how his early love for the outdoors and a deep respect for education shaped his journey as a teacher, author, and advocate for experiential learning. From leading middle school students on trips to Washington D.C. to writing The National Park Classroom, James explores how public lands, community partnerships, and project-based learning can transform education.Host Steven Schauer and James dive into the power of inquiry-based teaching, the value of local history, and the role organizations like National Geographic, UNESCO, and PBLWorks play in supporting innovative educators. They discuss how park rangers, national parks, and informal education can inspire curiosity, civic engagement, and a lasting connection to the natural world.This episode is a call to action—for teachers, parents, and policymakers—to reimagine learning, support conservation, and build a more hopeful future through collaboration and curiosity.About the GuestDuring more than two decades in education, James Fester M.Ed has worked in public, private, and online schools as a classroom teacher, instructional coach, technology director, and curriculum specialist. In addition to serving as a member of PBLWorks’ National Faculty where he helps develop schools and teachers across the globe, James is Google Certified Innovator and a widely published author. He contributes regularly to a wide range of blogs and online publications such as Edutopia, ISTE, and National Geographic. He has also written two books, the latest of which is titled The National Park Classroom and published globally by ISTE in 2024.  Show NotesNational Park Classroom: https://www.nationalparkclassroom.com/bookTakeaways•James was raised by public school teachers, influencing his career path.•He had a strong connection to the outdoors from a young age.•James believes in the importance of outdoor education for student engagement.•James emphasizes the need for diverse teaching methodologies.•Teaching methods can be enhanced by informal education principles.•Volunteering can provide valuable experiences for educators.•Engaging students with local history increases their interest.•Park rangers can offer unique educational perspectives.•Inquiry-based learning is essential in modern education.•Teachers can leverage public land resources for classroom use.•Collaboration between teachers and park rangers can enhance learning.•The National Park Classroom book provides practical teaching strategies.•Project-based learning makes education more relevant and engaging.•Engaging with national parks can inspire conservation efforts.•Educators should utilize available resources to enhance teaching.•Building connections with experts enriches the learning experience.•Awareness of national parks is crucial for future conservationists.•Hope for the future lies in communication🎙️ Stories Sustain Us is more than a podcast—it's a powerful platform that shares inspiring stories from people working to make the world a better place. Through honest, heartfelt conversations, host Steven Schauer explores the connections between people, planet, and purpose. From climate change and environmental justice to cultural preservation and human resilience, each episode aims to ignite meaningful action toward a more sustainable future.🌍 Learn more about the podcast, explore past episodes, and discover how you can support storytelling that drives change at storiessustainus.com.🔗 Follow us and join the conversation:Facebook: @storiessustainusInstagram: @stories_sustain_usX (Twitter): @stories_sustainBluesky: @storiessustainus💚 Your voice matters. Share the stories that move you—and help sustain us all.

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