Colorado Youth for a Change’s Post

The role of a 'forest educator' in higher education looks a little different from a traditional forest school, especially in the Mississippi River Delta region, and Professor Todd Davis is right in the thick of it. It's a community with a love of football, and rivalries, and a mix of university students who often have little to no experience in nature. We explore the impact that outdoor activities have on students who have never had a chance to go mountain biking, canoeing, rock climbing or backpacking, and how important it is for student well-being, balance, inspiration and mental health. Our conversation covers important issues of the lack of diversity in outdoor programming across the US and the South in particular. We discuss how Professor Davis has been able to make some headway in helping increase accessibility at his organization. His stories and experiences bring to life the real, down in the trenches, day to day work that is needed to break down barriers that have existed for decades, and what this work is like not just during an expedition but in the way we promote our programs too. Diversity and Equity are not just buzzwords, but an important lens that offers us all a pathway to a world that can help us all heal and grow. Please enjoy Episode #47. #deltastateuniversity #outdoorrecreation #diversityequityinclusion #naturetherapy #mountainbiking #rockclimbing #mississippidelta #outdoorafro #ruemapp #REI #foresteducatorpodcast #foresteducator #campingtoconnect #blackforager #latinooutdoors #diversitymatters #InclusionMatters #BLM #OutdoorAdventure

If you know me, then you know I love getting involved in my community. Here is what I've been up to this past year! It can be tricky sometimes to balance our time between our career, family obligations, and personal time, but making local community engagement a priority is essential. ALL OF US have skills, gifts, and networks that we can leverage for the sake of our neighbors. To make this world a better place, we need to start locally, maybe as simple as just getting to know our neighbors next door, or maybe it is sitting on a board for a cause you believe in. Whatever it is, what is your next step? I took my step this past year, and I had the privilege to step onto the board at my kid's charter school. (https://lnkd.in/gvbJzcuj) The staff at this school is challenging the status quo in many areas, including student body inclusion through social and emotional learning, enhancing academic testing through integrating the outdoors, volunteering, and learning about our local impact on the environment and our role in sustainability, and increasing student academic test scores that outpaced every school in our county. My favorite that I have observed is the time they take to know every child as they develop individualized learning plans. These things don't just happen because of tax dollars; they happen because every individual provides their time and energy supporting this cause: teachers, parents, and community members who see opportunity in tomorrow. I would like to challenge us all this weekend: do some research and find your cause. Let's get involved in something outside of our careers that brings others life and, in turn, us life. Involvement in things other than work actually increases our creative performance and output at our daily jobs. #community #education #volunteerism #career #allhandsondeck

This week we visited St Mark’s School in Halewood and were blown away by the wonderful current relational practice that they do already. We always start our whole school training by celebrating what a school is already doing well. Do you smile and welcome students into your classroom? Do you contact parents to celebrate and not just to berate? Are you actively listening to students when they tell you a little about themselves? When you walk past a student on the corridor, do you smile and acknowledge them? Do you ask students how their weekend has been? Don’t dismiss the little things we do every day as educators that make connections, build relationships and make students feel welcomed. You are forging bonds, building communities and proactively developing relationships. Sometimes the simplest action can make the biggest difference to a child. #restorativepractice #relationalpractice #relationships #connection #community #southernareaheads

Anyone interested in the failing educational system might find the work of A. S. Neill at Summerhill inspiring. Here's the scoop: https://lnkd.in/dV5MWfbZ (#education, #educational, #educationSystem, #boardOfEducation, #ASNeill, #Summerhill, #SchoolWithoutWalls, #failingEducation)

As a Colorado company, we feel a strong responsibility to give back to the communities we serve. ✨ For years we’ve partnered with Greenhouse Scholars and Salute Colorado, two incredible organizations that create opportunities and provide resources for low-income students to excel into community leaders, and assist veterans with their transition to civilian life with career mentoring and networking opportunities. We believe homeownership builds stronger communities, and is directly linked to upward social mobility. That’s why we created 8zKeys4Life, an initiative that provides grants to first-time buyers and educates them about the intricacies of owning a home. While giving back to our community is a company priority, our agents go above and beyond, sponsoring events or volunteering in their own local communities and schools. If you’re looking to take your career to new heights, check out 8z.com/careers 🔗 . . . #anewwayhome #8z #modernbrokerage #modernagents #coloradorealestate #denverrealestate #boulderrealestate #coloradospringsrealestate #fortcollinsrealestate #eaglecountyrealestate #summitcountyrealestate #buenavistarealestate

We are less than a month away from our first fall Community Education Series event! Have you registered yet? Join this free webinar and learn strategies to help you lead your student to success. https://hillcenter.org/ces #HillLearningCenter #HillCES #Community #FreeWebinar #ExecutiveFunction

Anyone interested in the failing educational system might find the work of A. S. Neill at Summerhill inspiring. Here's the scoop: https://lnkd.in/gqhhu_ru (#education, #educational, #educationSystem, #boardOfEducation, #ASNeill, #Summerhill, #SchoolWithoutWalls, #failingEducation)

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🚀 Transforming Neighborhoods, Building Communities! 🚀 At Cox Communities, we're inspired by The Apartment Company's innovative initiatives that foster community and enhance resident life. Their programs, featured in Multifamily Executive, include: 📚 On-Site Tutoring: Credentialed teachers provide consistent educational support, helping students excel and even earn rent discounts. 🌱 Garden Club: Residents grow and share produce, creating connections and participating in fun activities like salsa competitions. 🗣️ ESL Programs: “Coffee and Conversations” sessions improve English skills, aiding integration and boosting opportunities for residents and staff. These initiatives not only enrich lives but also drive impressive business results, maintaining high occupancy and low turnover. Authentic engagement and community-focused strategies truly make a difference. Learn more about these impactful programs in the article below. #CommunityBuilding #MultifamilyExecutive #CoxCommunities