183: When Directors Call in January: What Nature-Based Educators Really Need Right Now

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.outdoor-classrooms.com

EMAIL: [email protected]

Instagram: instagram.com/outdoor_classrooms/

Facebook: Facebook.com/OutdoorClassrooms1

Related Episodes:

Episode 4: What is Nature Pedagogy?

Episode 17. Rethinking Nature Pedagogy in Higher Education with April Zakjo

Episode 124: Nature's Playlist: Weaving Frameworks, Pedagogy and Schemas into Outdoor Play

Mentioned in this episode:

Exploring Nature in Spring Masterclass

Exploring Nature in Spring Masterclass (receive all 4 seasonal courses when you enroll!): https://www.outdoor-classrooms.com/exploring-nature-in-spring-masterclass/