Outreach Institute Summer Book Club: The Serviceberry
About this Event
Overview
Join us for our 2026 Summer Book Club! We will gather in-person over four sessions to discuss and reflect together on ideas and concepts from the book, , by Robin Wall Kimmerer, a distinguished author, scientist, and professor known for her expertise in botany, ecology, and Indigenous knowledge systems.
The book combines Indigenous knowledge and ecological science to propose a shift from everyday capitalism to gift economies, emphasizing sustainability, reciprocity, and community interconnectedness. Kimmerer calls on us to embrace our inherent generosity as we live and work in relationship with one another, and to participate in our society in a way that is more aligned with mother nature's cycles of exchange, care, and mutual flourishing.
Together, we'll reflect on Kimmerer's concepts and expand our understanding of how we can implement and instill these kinds of Indigenous practices and values in our early learning programs for the benefit of children, families, educators, and our wider world.
This series will be facilitated by Hilltop educators, Geneva Alfonso-Mendez and Serenity Partridge.
Each session will include:
*15-20 pages of reading prior to meetings
*Discussion with fellow early learning professionals
*Reflective writing
*2 hours of STARS credit (for pre-session reading and live attendance)
June 24th, Session 1: Welcome Session & Chapter 1
July 8th, Session 2: Chapter 2-3
July 22nd, Session 3: Chapters 4-5
August 5th, Session 4: Chapters 6-7
Learning Objectives
Participants will...
- Reflect together and individually on the author’s concepts of ‘gift economies’ and ‘mutual flourishing’ in our early learning programs & communities
- Engage with fellow educators and build a supportive professional community around shared values, ideas, and philosophies from an anti-bias lens
- Practice constructive dialogue about the ideas expressed in the book and the implications for educators, children, families, and our broader society
- Engage in reflective dialogue and writing exercises to further their understanding of the author’s ideas and what it means to hold an Indigenous worldview
- Recognize Indigenous perspectives on relationships, land, and community, and discuss how these perspectives can respectfully inform ECE practices
- Connect the books' themes of gratitude, generosity, and interconnectedness to children's learning experiences and curriculum planning
About the Facilitators:
Geneva Alfonso-Mendez - Hola! My name is Geneva (She/Her/Ella), I identify as Indigenous, with Apsáalooke (Crow) and Mexican roots. I was born on the Crow reservation near family but raised here in the PNW where I call home. I graduated from Montana State University with a BA in Liberal studies: Global and Multicultural Studies, with a double minor in Hispanic Studies and Native American studies. I have been at Hilltop Children’s Center since 2021, where I've primarily worked with the Infant/young toddler age. Currently, I am back in school getting my ECE degree!
Growing up far from both of my ancestral lands, I feel it has influenced my interest in books. I enjoy reading books by Indigenous and Latinx authors as a way for me to connect to and nurture my own Indigenous perspective and knowledge. One of the books I’ve enjoyed reading more recently is The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters. Outside of reading, I enjoy going to coffee shops, beading, and exploring new places.
Serenity Partridge - Bio coming soon!
The Connection to Early Learning:
The Serviceberry highlights themes of reciprocity, relationship, community, abundance and the gift economy in a beautiful way. These themes closely align with the values of Early Childhood Education, where learning occurs through relationships and collaboration. This book helps readers to reflect on our current perspective of the world and its systems, and provides an Indigenous perspective. It encourages educators to foster environments where sharing, belonging, gratitude, and mutual care are valued.
Other Details:
Can't make it to every session? We hope you'll join us for the full series to get the maximum Book Club learning experience, but we understand that scheduling conflicts are bound to happen. Please email us at [email protected] if you know you'll have to miss a session.
Registration is FREE for all early learning professionals! Many thanks to our generous sponsors at Seattle's Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) for helping us make Book Club affordable and accessible.
Meeting Location: 4 Nickerson St., Suite 100 & 200, Seattle WA 98109
Free parking is available on Nickerson Street and in our 4 Nickerson parking lot. Bus #31 and #32 drop off right in front of our building (Cremona & Nickerson St. stop).
If you have any trouble finding our location, call our front desk at: 206-283-3100, Ext. 1
Any additional questions? See our list of FAQ's below or email us at: [email protected]
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 0.00
