Teaching with Nature: Crafting Curriculum & Cultivating Wellness

Nature grounds us, inspires us, and renews our spirit. A stunning sunset, the vastness of a canyon, the gentle rustle of leaves in a forest – these moments of awe open our minds and hearts. They calm our stressed psyches and invite us into a space of creativity and possibility. When we pause in nature, we unlock the potential to reimagine our work, our teaching, and ourselves.
Join the IFSEL Team for a transformative workshop day at Timberlake Earth Sanctuary, just outside Greensboro, NC. Here, cedar and pine forests frame four miles of serene trails and open meadows, setting the stage for a day of deep personal renewal and inspiration for your social and emotional learning (SEL) practice.

Nature is one of IFSEL's Ten Educator Practices because it has the power to profoundly impact our teaching and learning. In this workshop, discover how insights from the natural world can play a leading role in your school environment.

This workshop is for every educator, whether you work in a rural or urban setting. We'll explore creative approaches for classroom meetings, advisories, school-wide systems, and culturally responsive curricula. You'll leave with a wealth of resources and SEL-focused experiences to bring the beauty and wisdom of the natural world back to your school.

We welcome:

• Educators
• Administrators
• Afterschool Staff
• Wellness Leaders
• DEIBJ Leaders
• Deans
• Counselors
• and anyone passionate about integrating nature into education

A Spirit of Playfulness and Discovery:
Step away from the blue light of screens and into the filtered light of the forest. Expect a day filled with readings, reflection, sharing, and nature-based experiences designed to rejuvenate your imagination and your practice.
‍Hands-On, Nature-Focused Exercises:
Engage in experiential activities designed for K-12 and adult communities, fostering SEL learning that is both deeply restorative and profoundly impactful.
‍Creative Application Across Disciplines:
Explore ways to integrate nature into your content teaching – from PE to Science to English – and engage with topics like climate change, cultural sensitivity to land, and the rights of nature.

• Understand the vital role nature plays in SEL and in the well-being of educators and students alike.
• Participate in experiential, nature-focused exercises that can be adapted for diverse school settings.
• Learn how to creatively incorporate nature-based themes and experiences into your curriculum, supporting emotional, scientific, and artistic learning.

• Ready-to-use lessons and activities for your classroom
• A guided journal to capture your reflections and ideas
• A healthy lunch and plenty of snacks

Additional Workshop Information can be found on our website.

Financial Aid

IFSEL is committed to empowering all educators to attend our Workshops and we have Financial Aid programs to support this vision.

To apply please complete this form.‍

* Please note, this form can not be saved and therefore needs to be completed in one sitting.

Health Policy

IFSEL will comply with all national and local COVID Regulations and these will be monitored regularly for updates.

Cancellation Policy

Registration fees will be refunded at 50% of the registration ticket price paid, less the $50 refund processing cost, if requested in writing more than two-weeks prior to the start of the course. From two weeks prior to the start of the course until the day before the course begins, refunds requested in writing will be granted a credit for the full value of their registration ticket price. No refunds or credits are available on or after the start date of the course. To begin the cancellation process, please email us at [email protected].

Host or Publisher Institute for Social and Emotional Learning