{"podcast":{"title":"Outdoor Classrooms Podcast","slug":"outdoor-classrooms-podcast-6002268","podcast_index_feed_id":6002268,"rss_url":"https://feeds.captivate.fm/outdoor-classrooms/","website_url":"https://outdoor-classrooms.captivate.fm","image_url":"https://artwork.captivate.fm/63f9167c-dd66-442d-8741-51a04e0d9b0e/i1mGZ-pPDKY5GkUEV2DRQU-d.jpg","author":"Victoria Hackett, M.Ed: Learning Gardens and Nature Based Curriculum","episode_count":200,"summary":"The Outdoor Classrooms Podcast is the podcast for teachers and parents and anyone interested in cultivating learning gardens and nature-based curricula for children. It’s a show that will help you transform your outdoor space and will offer “seeds of inspiration” for playful learning outdoors. Each week, Victoria Hackett and her guests will share tips and actionable strategies that you will need in order to set in motion, manage and grow your Outdoor Classroom. You’ll learn how to implement the 5 Phases of Teaching Outdoors, all while providing a new way of learning for your children! Studies have shown that children who learn outdoors in all seasons “develop a sense of self, independence, confidence, creativity, decision-making, problem-solving skills, empathy towards others, motor skills, self-discipline, and initiative.” Victoria Hackett is the founder of Outdoor-Classrooms.com, The CIRCLE Membership community, and The Secret Gardens Demonstration Outdoor Classroom. You can follow her on Instagram and Facebook. To learn more, head on over to our virtual playground at outdoor-classrooms.com.","last_synced_at":null,"page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/outdoor-classrooms-podcast-6002268"},"episode":{"title":"183: When Directors Call in January: What Nature-Based Educators Really Need Right Now","slug":"183-when-directors-call-in-january-what-nature-based-educators-really-need-right-now","published_at":"2026-01-27T08:00:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/outdoor-classrooms-podcast-6002268/183-when-directors-call-in-january-what-nature-based-educators-really-need-right-now","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/outdoor-classrooms-podcast-6002268","url":"https://outdoor-classrooms.captivate.fm","audio_url":"https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/327bd515-140f-4e31-ae97-5b4d5610536a.mp3","summary":"January is a hard month in education—and winter often takes the blame. When directors call asking for ideas, strategies, or professional development, what they’re often really asking is: How do we support educators through this season? In this episode, we explore what sits beneath those January phone calls and why winter isn’t the problem it’s made out to be. Rather than offering quick fixes, this conversation focuses on what nature-based educators truly need right now: permission to slow down, validation, strong pedagogy, and reconnection to purpose. This episode is for directors, coaches, and educators navigating the long stretch of winter. In This Episode: Why January feels especially heavy in schools What schools think educators need vs. what they actually need How winter reveals cracks rather than creating them Why resistance is information, not failure The shift from activities to pedagogy in winter Winter isn’t asking educators to try harder. It’s asking us to root deeper. Join the Community: Want to continue the conversation, access our workshop library, or collaborate with like-minded educators? 👉 Join the CIRCLE Membership and grow into a more confident, connected outdoor classroom leader. Workshop Mentioned: Rooted in Nature: Foundations of Nature-Based Pedagogy (included in CIRCLE Membership) FREE Resource: 🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (halfway down the page) Resources & Links: 🎓 Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program 🎓 Outdoor Teaching Bootcamp 🎓 Seasonal Masterclass Bundle (includes Exploring Nature in Winter Masterclass) 🎓 Teaching Beyond Walls Capstone Course 🌸 CIRCLE Membership for Educators 🌿 30-Day Gratitude in Nature Challenge 🌸 1-hour Online Workshop Library Connect with Victoria: WEBSITE: www.o…","meta_description":"January is a hard month in education—and winter often takes the blame. When directors call asking for ideas, strategies, or professional development, what…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":793,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/outdoor-classrooms-podcast-6002268/episodes/183-when-directors-call-in-january-what-nature-based-educators-really-need-right-now/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/outdoor-classrooms-podcast-6002268/183-when-directors-call-in-january-what-nature-based-educators-really-need-right-now.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}