Learning Opportunity at South Canoe

Rich learning, discussion, and planning took place at South Canoe School as a provincial teacher with in-depth knowledge of the benefits of teaching the curriculum in an outdoor learning environment worked with staff at South Canoe School for a few days.

Director of Instruction Jen Findlay reports that SD83 was very fortunate to have Megan Zeni facilitate a few days of learning with the South Canoe Outdoor Learning Program staff in April and May. She explains that while Zeni was in district to facilitate the POPEY Early Literacy Series, they were able to add on a few extra days for outdoor learning support. Zeni, is with the B.C. Ministry of Education and Child Care in the Provincial Outreach Program for the Early Years (POPEY) as well as having decades of practical expertise teaching K-7 in school gardens and outdoor classrooms.

The South Canoe staff had the opportunity to meet together with Zeni, as well as in Primary and Intermediate teams. Teachers also had the opportunity to co-teach or watch a demo lesson lead by her. “There was so much rich learning, discussion, and planning happening to best support student learning and growth in the outdoors,” added Findlay.

Zeni is descrbed as a teacher in nature and a tireless outdoor play advocate. She is a whole systems thinker who offers pedagogical mentorship and curricular leadership in relationship to outdoor play and learning in the elementary school context. She also offers professional learning for educators who locate their curriculum in school gardens and outdoor classrooms. She researches risky play in the school context and is a PhD candidate at the University of British Columbia in curriculum and pedagogy. https://meganzeni.com/