Shows
Diona Reese WilliamsDRW Podcast Show (S2 E6): Ellen BashorEllen Bashor, 29, is the Education Director for an intergovernmental agreement between Prescott Unified School District and the City of Prescott's Community Nature Center, and has been an Environmental Education instructor at Prescott College for 5 years now. She holds both a Bachelors and Masters in Education, with emphases in Early Childhood Education and Environmental Education. In addition, Ellen serves as board president for the Arizona Association for Environmental Education, and as a board member for the Greater Prescott Outdoors Fund and the Prescott Audubon Society. In 2019 they were selected as an ee360 Fellow by the North American Association for Environmental Education...2022-11-071h 00
Diona Reese WilliamsDRW Podcast Show (S2 E5): Megan GesslerMegan Gessler is the Little Trees Program Supervisor for The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, IL, United States. She has over a decade of experience directing and teaching in a nature-based preschool. Megan founded the Northern Illinois Nature Preschool Association (NINPA), and serves on the Executive Leadership Team of the North American Association of Environmental Education’s (NAAEE) Natural Start Alliance. She holds a M.Ed. from Antioch University New England (AUNE), a Certificate in Nature-based Early Childhood Education from AUNE, and is a certified Master Naturalist. Megan contributed to The Sky Above and the Mud Below, published by Redleaf Press. Di...2022-10-1649 min
Diona Reese WilliamsDRW Podcast Show (S2 E4): Atiya WellsAtiya Wells is the Founder and Executive Director of Backyard Basecamp, Inc. - a nonprofit with a mission to (re)connect Black, Indigenous, and People of Color to land and nature. By diving into research and history, Atiya learned that historical trauma is a key player in the lack of diversity in environmental programming. She has since dedicated her time to (re)introducing her community to nature by starting in their own backyards and eventually embarking on a journey into the many wild spaces across Baltimore. Website: https://backyardbasecamp.org/ Diona Reese Williams Edited Production: Angel Productions DRW Guest: Atiya...2022-10-0940 min
Diona Reese WilliamsDRW Podcast Show (S2 E3): Kelin Fulkerson-SmithI work for Prairie School of Dupage as not only the lead Forest Preschool teacher, but also I work with our Lower Elementary program for recess and am the tour guide for the school. I would love to talk about how we work with challenging behaviors in our program--particularly since we are a "classroom without walls", what tools do we have access to? Also, discovering that some of these challenge behaviors may stem from sensory overload (wet boots, wet socks, something causing discomfort) or needing some extra sensory stimulation (impulsive behavior) and working with children and parents to support them...2022-10-0249 min
Diona Reese WilliamsDRW Podcast Show (S2 E2): Morgan Duerksen-BalkMorgan's Bio: I am the director of education at Bluestem Hall Nature School. We serve 3-5-year-old students at a tallgrass prairie preserve and restored machine shed. We spend 75%+ of the school day outside. Enrollment is ongoing during the current school year, and enrollment for the 2022-2023 school year will begin soon. Bluestemhall.com Diona Reese Williams Edited Production: Angel Productions DRW Guest: Morgan Duerksen-Balk Facebook Page: @dionareesewilliams Instagram DRW Personal Brand: @drw_dionareesewilliams Instagram Out Back Learning LLC: @outbacklearning2019 Facebook Page: @outbacklearning2019 Podcast: https://anchor.fm/diona-williams Children's Book: Sweet Potato & Mud Pies https://a.co/d/hRu3fvP
...2022-09-2549 min
Diona Reese WilliamsDRW Podcast Show (S2 E1): Kendra BeeleyMy name is Kendra Beeley. I am an early intervention speech therapist in Sierra Vista. I have an upcoming website for parents of kids under 3 years old. I am very interested in your podcast and Julie Siddens tagged me on Facebook and told me a bit about your preschool. She knows I am an enthusiastic gardener, though I still am learning! I also very much believe in kids having time outside and time to play. Interest led learning has highly influenced my approach to speech therapy since I discovered unschooling years ago. I have been cheering the neurodiversity movement and...2022-09-1951 min
Diona Reese WilliamsEarly Childhood Environmental Educator: Sarah FolgosonDiona Reese Williams Edited Production: Angel Productions DRW Guest: Sarah Folgoson Facebook Page: @dionareesewilliams Instagram DRW Personal Brand: @drw_dionareesewilliams Instagram Out Back Learning LLC: @outbacklearning2019 Facebook Page: @outbacklearning2019 Podcast: https://anchor.fm/diona-williams
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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/diona-williams/support2021-08-2146 min
Diona Reese WilliamsEarly Childhood Educator: Amy WilliamsAmy Williams currently works as a school psychologist at Palominas School District in Hereford, Arizona. She has worked as a school psychologist for the past six years, holding positions at school districts in southern Arizona and Phoenix. She received her Master of Education in School and Applied Child Psychology degree from the University of Calgary in Alberta, Canada. She also holds a Bachelor of Education from Nipissing University, Ontario, Canada.
Prior to becoming a school psychologist, Amy worked as an international teacher in Kuwait for nine years. During this time, she taught upper elementary and middle school. She completed additional...2021-08-1428 min
Diona Reese WilliamsEarly Childhood Educator: Jacque RafteryIn today's DRW interview, I enjoyed meeting with one of my dear friend's Jacque Raftery. She is a mom of 3 kids ages 6, 3 and 1. She has a Master's Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and currently works as the Assistant to the Director of Cactus Wren Co-Op Preschool. Before that, she worked in community behavioral health as a therapist and case manager. When her children were born, she decided to do the critical work of being their primary caregiver since behavioral health was too draining for her. However, working for Cactus Wren Co-op Preschool brought her into the world of early...2021-08-0731 min
Diona Reese WilliamsDRW Interview: Allison HoutzAllison Houtz
Experiential Education Program Coordinator
Bio:
Allison is a passionate, lifelong advocate for young children, families, and early educators. She’s worked in early education at large for the past 17 years, through teaching, directing, child advocacy, parent training, coaching, and higher education leadership. Allison currently serves students, faculty, and community members as the Experiential Education Program Coordinator within the Education Department at Prescott College. One of her many hats is leading the Center for Nature & Place through community building and professional development. She’s dedicated to bridging the gap between early education and much needed family resources in rural comm...2021-06-1226 min
Diona Reese WilliamsDRW Interview Environmental Educator: Seraph White (Part 2 of 2)Seraph White brings nearly two decades of non-profit experience to the role of Interim Executive Director for Outdoors Empowered Network, and has expertise in fundraising, marketing, and operations. She is passionate about increasing access to nature and the outdoors and is looking forward to finding creative, systemic, and strategic ways to fulfill OEN’s mission. Seraph has an MA in Environmental Leadership from Naropa University and a BA in Environmental Studies from UCSC. Seraph grew up camping and is passionate about access to the outdoors. She regularly packs her family into a hybrid Toyota Prius C to travel the American We...2021-03-2736 min
Diona Reese WilliamsDRW Interview Environmental Educator: Seraph White (Part 1 of 2)Seraph White brings nearly two decades of non-profit experience to the role of Interim Executive Director for Outdoors Empowered Network, and has expertise in fundraising, marketing, and operations. She is passionate about increasing access to nature and the outdoors and is looking forward to finding creative, systemic, and strategic ways to fulfill OEN’s mission. Seraph has an MA in Environmental Leadership from Naropa University and a BA in Environmental Studies from UCSC.
Seraph grew up camping and is passionate about access to the outdoors. She regularly packs her family into a hybrid Toyota Prius C to travel the American We...2021-03-2047 min
Diona Reese WilliamsDRW Interview Early Childhood Environmental Educator: Cassandra EllisIn today's interview I had the pleasure to talk with Cassandra Ellis, founding director of The Kinship School, which offers educational coaching, consulting and direct service with young children and families in nature. The way she works is inspired by E.O. Wilson’s words: “We are drowning in information, while starving for wisdom. The world henceforth will be run by synthesizers, people able to put together the right information at the right time, think critically about it, and make important choices wisely.” Cassandra synthesizes somatic practice, place- and nature-based learning, radical self-inquiry, collective care and intergenerational learning to build bonds...2021-03-0747 min
Diona Reese WilliamsDRW Enviromental Educator Interview Series: Jessica Paul (S1E3)In today's episode, I had the pleasure of talking to Jessica Paul from Tucson Community Gardens. During this episode discusses what a Master Naturalist, citizen science and inaturalist. Jessica later describes her role at the Tucson Community Gardens as the Educator. Take a moment to listen and learn how your child can learn about gardening with Jessica. Diona Reese Williams (Goal Development Plan) http://www.dionareesewilliams.com Community Gardens of Tucson
https://www.communitygardensoftucson.org/
https://www.facebook.com/communitygardensoftucson
https://www.instagram.com/communitygardenstucson/
Az Master Naturalists (applications are still open for the next cohort)
https://azmasternaturalist.org/
Nature's...2021-02-0521 min
Diona Reese WilliamsCity Chick(ens) Series: Pet Perspectives (S1E4)In today's episode, the author of this story, Le'Aszia, takes a moment to continue to introduce the chickens, also known as "The City Chicks." You will have an opportunity to learn about the personalities of Sally, Kimberly, and Ellen, but from the author's perspective. In this episode, Le'Aszia goes on to discuss the City Chicks' recent unwillingness to go into the coop. The author goes on to expand the storyline perspective of Trina and Bree (family dogs). Please note the content of this episode is not intended to offend, but simply to give the perspective of two dogs and how...2020-12-1413 min
Diona Reese WilliamsCity Chick(ens) Series: Chicks in Quarantine (S1E3)In today's episode, the author of this story, Le'Aszia, takes a moment to continue to introduce the chickens, also known as "The City Chicks." You will have an opportunity to learn about the personalities of Sally, Kimberly, and Ellen, but from the author's perspective. In this episode, Le'Aszia goes on to discuss the City Chicks' recent quarantine experience. This episode was written and recorded by Le'Aszia Davis Williams and produced by Diona Reese Williams. This City Chicks podcast series is a mother/daughter collaboration. As a parent, I am very proud of her artistry and written creativity, but I feel...2020-11-1413 min
Diona Reese WilliamsCity Chick(ens) Series: Weed Wackers (S1E2)In today's episode, the author of this story, Le'Aszia, takes a moment to continue to introduce the chickens, also known as "The City Chicks." You will have an opportunity to learn about the personalities of Sally, Kimberly, and Ellen, but from the author's perspective. In this episode, Le'Aszia goes on to discuss the City Chicks and their love for weeds. But, a new character is introduced to one of our family pets, Trina. This episode was written and recorded by Le'Aszia Davis Williams and produced by Diona Reese Williams. This City Chicks podcast series is a mother/daughter collaboration. As...2020-10-2210 min
Diona Reese WilliamsCity Chick(ens) Stories: The Introduction (S1E1)In today's episode the author of this story Le'Aszia takes a moment to introduce the chickens, also known as "The City Chicks." You will have an opportunity to learn about the personalities of Sally, Kimberly and Ellen, but from the author's perspective. This episode was written and recorded by Le'Aszia Davis Williams and produced by Diona Reese Williams. This City Chicks podcast series is a mother/daughter collaboration. As a parent, I am very proud of her artistry and written creativity, but mostly blessed, she was willing to share her gifts with you all as listeners. Enjoy and continue to...2020-10-0808 min