https://www.buzzsprout.com/2423413/episodes/16088004
Debbie DeLisle highlights the Community Lighthouse Project born out of the Hurricane Helene disaster that devestated the area all around Woodson Branch Nature School. She interviews Jill O'Neil, one of the project designers, and Matt Nannis of Pivot Point WNC who provided support with Adventure Therapy.
Join us as we share their stories, celebrate their triumphs, and explore how we can expand this experience into the greater realms of education.
Tune in for a dose of joy, creativity, and inspiration—because at The Happiest Hour, every moment of growth is an opportunity to celebrate!
Welcome to "The Happiest Hour" A fresh podcast that exists to bring energy, awareness, and celebration to the incredible originally crafted experiences that Woodson Branch Nature School teachers design for the students, and to highlight the scientific educational development value that is occurring that may or may not be super obvious. Each episode features one activity (of my choosing) where I describe the lesson design, then interview the designer(s) of the activity to give their take on their thought process, and to tell what actually happened. Then we will ask a very specially chosen expert guest visitor to share their take on the project from their unique point of view. Then the final leg of the show is a round table with all the guests, of how the project could be expanded and adapted into other settings.
Me:
I am your host, Debbie DeLisle, one of the original founders of Madison County Community Learning Centers, a nonprofit organization located in the beautiful mystical Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina. I serve as the Executive Director at our main school, Woodson Branch Nature School. I am a Mother to three incredible young men, sister to three brothers, and friend to ALL children.
I am an avid writer, reader, singer, roller skater, ukulele player, lover of fine and healthy foods, student of herbal and alternative medicine, nature lover and outdoor enthusiast and… I LOVE podcasts!! >>>>>>>>>>>>>
My education spans the degreed realms of Art to Engineering to Organizational Management to Early Childhood to K-6 Education to Education Administration to my favorite > Experiential Learning
I am known for being a grass-roots innovator with a deep love for small-town community living, having designed several businesses, town festivals, and celebration projects over the years to help meet the needs of its people, in Madison County North Carolina. My greatest joy has been in working with children in and all around nature for the past 30 years, and a creator at heart I whole -heartedly believe that we create our own future.
On Zoom with us today is Matt Nannis, from Pivot Point WNC our guest expert in the field of Adventure Therapy, which is an integrative transitional program for young adults, that combines the best practices of outdoor adventure with real-world integration. We will learn more about him in a few moments, but if you could just say Hello so that folks know you are in the house, that would be great!
Matt says “Hello!” and describe your vessel and what is in it
Also, in the studio today is Ms. Jill O’Neil:
Ms. Jill came to WBNS with a combined teaching career of over 25 years. She is a Certified Montessori Guide specializing in lower and upper elementary, as well as a Certified Forest & Nature based educator. She now is a member of our staff support team with an emphasis on mentoring teachers, curriculum support and perhaps most importantly-providing social/emotional support to our entire student body.
Welcome Jill! (Jill says hello…) also describe your vessel and what it in it ..
I have my tea cup and some ginger puh-er
We have so much to celebrate, so we will be toasting The Happiest Hour at the end, so I just want everyone to be able to visualize
Woodson Branch Nature School
City: Marshall
Address: 14555 US-25
Website: https://www.madisoncclc.org/
Phone: +1 828 206 5296
Email: ddelisle@madisoncclc.org
