In this episode of the EDULearn Ask Me Anything Podcast, Jamie Steckart, an experienced Head of School and educational consultant, invites listeners on an adventure. Hear him passionately detail the transformative power of experiential education (and how to toilet on-the-go at forest school!) With a career spanning various leadership roles, literally across the globe, Jamie reflects on his early ventures into educational expeditions and his passion for integrating Project-Based Learning (PBL) and whole-school outdoor learning. He shares powerful stories that highlight the importance of safety planning, the invaluable perspective gained from engaging local communities, and the essential steps for preparing students and parent volunteers for successful experiential programs.
Listeners will gain practical insights from Jamie’s wealth of experience, and be inspired by his impassioned reason for “why” we even take kids out. His proactive approach to accident prevention and the guiding questions he poses will help you to ensure optimal safety during outdoor activities. This conversation underscores the impact of hands-on learning and the deep belief that educators must cultivate in students—a belief that their potential is boundless. With memorable reflections on what students take away from such experiences, Jamie’s episode is a compelling guide for educators seeking to enrich their teaching practices through meaningful, outside-the-classroom learning.
Timestamps
[02:30] Jamie’s Journey to Experiential Education
[03:58] Jamie Reflects on His First Trip
[07:35] Starting a School at 28
[11:35] Importance of a Local Perspective
[12:40] An Accident Hasn’t Happened…Yet
[16:30] Planning for our Youngest Learners
[20:40] Whole School Outdoor Learning
[22:05] Preparing Parent Volunteers
[23:08] Avoiding Accidents with a “Pickle Bucket”
[25:05] What we Gain from Going Outside
[27:30] Accessing the HBCU Experience
[31:00] What Students Remember
[33:00] The Power of Believing in Kids
[34:10] How to Reach Jamie
Notable Quotes
“And so you ask these essential questions; am I in the right place? at the right time? with the right equipment and the right people? And if you answer no to any of those things, you need to stop and pause.”
Too often I see sometimes international schools put their wall up and they don't really do stuff in the local community and build those local contacts, which is really depriving the kids at the institution of these rich learning experiences.”
“[...]they're not your kids. They're somebody else's kids, and they mean the most to them. And so you really got to take care of them, mentally, physically, and emotionally.”
Let’s Connect
Connect With Jamie Stacker
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jsteckart/
Connect With Mike Pierre
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-pierre/
Connect With Dana Specker-Watts
https://www.linkedin.com/in/danaspeckerwatts/
Connect With Celiah Bunsie
https://www.linkedin.com/in/celiah-bunsie-11406a64/
Connect With Katlyn Darling
https://www.linkedin.com/in/katlyn-darling-7019558a/
More Resources
Jamie explains how uncontrolled learning environments can benefit learning , Interview
Jamie Steckart went live on the HundrED Facebook Page asking the key question- Are our schools designed in a way to take advantage of what we now know regarding intrinsic motivation, brain development, relationships, experiential learning and creating healthy adults?
The Value of Wild Places, Reflection
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