The always energetic and curious, Mrs. Gaffney-Higgins / Squirrel

Mrs. Gaffney, or as her Metairie Academy students and all of us at T.R.E.E. call her, Squirrel, has been attending the 4th grade Earthkeepers program since 2018. Year after year, Squirrel attends the program with a level of excitement that would make you think its her first time.

She sings all of the songs, plays all of the ‘roles’ that are asked of her, and masterfully guides her students to be curious scientists in the forest with us, as well as back in the classroom.

We were honored to ask her a few questions to highlight her experience.

What fuels your passion for teaching?

My passion for teaching comes from students being excited about what we have to offer them. They want to learn so much, and I love finding out what will motivate them to stretch their minds to learn beyond what they are expected to learn. I want children to want to come to school. It excites me when the students can't wait for the next lesson or when they tell me how they brought the lesson home and replicated an activity with their families.

Why did you choose the nature name Squirrel?

Oh, so many reasons for the name Squirrel;

From my experiences rehabilitating and releasing a few squirrels, I have learned that squirrels are misunderstood creatures. They are considered nuisances when in reality, they are just busy. They love a new adventure but in the evening, like to return home. As a child, I was very busy and felt like I was a nuisance to my teachers. I would get a bit over excited about certain things and would sometimes be forgetful in the process; just like a squirrel. Also, every day for lunch, I eat a trail mix of nuts 

Squirrel directing her students in the immersive play at the Earthkeepers Program.

What do you enjoy most about coming out to Earthkeepers with your students each year?

I love the mystery of Earthkeepers. The program is completely geared to a 4th grade maturity level, triggering so much wondering. Students get so excited about learning about the world around them and immersing themselves in the natural world. Children today are learning from computer screens and videos but don't actually experience what they are watching or reading.  The students always tell me that it's the best time of their school experiences. They feel like they learn so much. They don't forget what they have learned in the 3 day experience. And, they are so exhausted from their full day when they return back to school.  What makes me happiest is when they share what they have done with their families and create natural spaces for themselves at their homes. This program changes their outlook about nature and our matter cycles. They understand why we should respect our natural world. With all of this, they are meeting so many of the science standards that need to be taught, so no class time is wasted. 

Tri-continental teacher, Alvera "Ali" McMillan pollinates her middle school students with knowledge and confidence.

thanks to a grant you received from the National Geographic society, T.R.E.E. was so excited to host you and your West Feliciana Middle School 7th grade students at Sunship III for 3 days and 2 nights. You fully embraced the nature name, Hummingbird, tell us why.

I love hummingbirds and have several that like to visit my hummingbird feeders. They are beautiful and powerful little birds.

What grades and subjects have you taught?

I have taught high school, but spent most of my teaching career in middle school. I originally taught Social Studies and am now a reading teacher. This year I am also working as an instructional coach.

How long have you been working in education and where?

I am originally from Louisiana. However, I have lived and traveled throughout parts of Europe, Africa, Asia and the Pacific Islands, teaching middle school on three different continents to students from many different cultural backgrounds. I have 13 years of teaching experience. I am a Reading Specialist and currently teaching at West Feliciana Middle School.

From your Sunship III experience with your students, what has stuck with you most?

What struck me the most was how that experience bonded those students. They became such a close group and really began to see themselves as leaders because of that experience.

How did you expand the learning experience back at school after attending Sunship III?

After returning from Sunship in February 2020, Covid changed our lives. The following year, we kept our outdoor learning close to home with several tree projects and a trip to Cat Island to visit the grand champion bald cypress. Students finished that year by leading the Basin Activity at our school on a Wetlands Day. This year, we are thrilled to continue sharing the Basin Activity with other students and begin working with LSU's Coastal Roots program. We will be growing cypress seedlings and planting them annually.

Hummingbird adapted the “Basin Game” originally created by the Pontchartrain Conservancy (previously the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation) and T.R.E.E. incorporating the water cycle with the flow of water, along with pollutants, additionally offering the concept of interrelationships.

If you could give new educators one piece of advice, what would it be?

As educators, we like to have a plan, but we can't always imagine where our journeys will take us. What I have learned is that we don't always have to know what the end result will be. If we focus on the learning process and create spaces for great things to happen, the possibilities are really endless.

Possibilities really are endless with Hummingbird! T.R.E.E. is grateful to science teacher, Jodi Sanchez for introducing us. We look forward to more experiences with West Feliciana Middle School students in the near future. 

Nathaniel Burton is a New Orleans fourth generation educator teaching at T.R.E.E. since 2016.

Quiet and strong, Brianne Blakney is Proud to be called, Doe.

Why did you choose the nature name, Doe?

I've always been a quieter person...especially when someone I may not know asks me a question! I used to get embarrassed and not want to talk...I would feel like "a deer caught in headlights!" But, as I've gotten older, I've become more comfortable with who I am. When I see a doe (a female deer) in nature, I think how strong and graceful she is, and I think to myself "hey! that's like me!" I am proud of my quiet, strong self and wanted to use the nature name Doe!

How long have you been working in education and where?

I started teaching almost 20 years ago, but paused for a while to stay at home with my children. Altogether I have 10 years of public school teaching experience in Louisiana. Most of it has been in Buras/Boothville, Louisiana.

What grades and subjects have you taught? Do you have a favorite?

My degree is in secondary education with a specialization in English, so I've taught reading and writing (now ELA) in grades 5th, 6th, 8th, 9th, and 11th. I would have to say that my favorite as of now is 6th grade, which I am currently teaching for the first time this school year!

Last year, for the first time, you and your class spent 5 days and 4 nights at T.R.E.E.'s Sunship Earth program. How did that experience carry over into this unusual year we are having?

During this school year, I began teaching the Louisiana Guidebooks Hatchet unit— it’s novel based. Before I started the unit lessons, I had my 6th grade students each build a mock shelter that would be needed in a survival situation. I couldn’t bring them outside to collect their own materials due to COVID restrictions, so I brought the outside to them!! I brought in sticks, twigs, leaves, and even some bugs! (Haha) I also had popsicle sticks for them to use along with some twine and string and glue...and many of the students said that the glue represented moss that they would have searched for! Along with building the mock shelter, I had them write about it.

This was totally inspired by our time at T.R.E.E.'s Sunship Earth program where so much of our time was spent outside creating, illustrating, and writing about our learning experiences! It makes the learning stick more. And...what is even cooler to me is that I looped up with these students from 5th grade, so we are able to talk about all of our Sunship Earth experiences together!

If you could give new educators one piece of advice, what would it be?

Be yourself. Be genuine. Your students will love you for who you are when you are the real you. They don't want the second best version of the teacher that you may think is the greatest at your school or on Pinterest or social media. They want to learn from you! They want to know that you care about them. Respect them for who they are, and in return they will show you the respect you deserve as their educator!

Change Maker, Karen Marshall / Cocoon

Why did you decide to become a teacher?

“I have always liked working with children and science, so in high school, I picked Pediatrician, lol. I just put the two together. But, as I come from a very long line of educators, I think It was kismet. I found my niche while volunteering. I also saw the need for teachers that are passionate about science education and who looked like me. Representation is important and I take it very seriously.”

How long have you been working in education and where?

“I started volunteering at schools while in college right here in NOLA at Xavier University. I quickly started my career at one of the schools I was volunteering at after I graduated in Biology, New Orleans Charter Middle.”

What grades and subjects have you taught? Do you have a favorite?

“I have taught 4-8th grade science. My favorite grade is 8th. I live for the relationships and growth that happen during that last year of middle school. It’s truly magical. My favorite subject has actually changed, and I am ready to admit that. It used to be Biology for sure, but Ecology has stolen my heart. The combination of animals, how they function with and in the environment is fascinating. Also how they directly affect our daily lives as well. We depend heavily on the balance.”

What's your favorite memory of a T.R.E.E. program or activity?

“My MAGIC SPOT!!! I absolutely loved that time. I recreate it in my own home! It’s actually on my porch, with lights and candles.”

Why did you choose Cocoon as your nature name some years ago?

“I was actually going through a transition time in teaching, that's why I was visiting T.R.E.E. I knew my kids needed something better. So at that time, I felt like I was in a building stage, in the dark, getting ready to emerge. Super Corny!! But its true…lol.”

If you could give new educators one piece of advice, what would it be?

“Be consistent and let your passion for your subject shine through. With everything that is going on around you, everything that will go wrong, take joy in sharing your true passion with the next generation.”

Waves

How long have you been teaching at T.R.E.E. and what is your role?

I’m the Earthkeepers Coordinator and I’ve been teaching at T.R.E.E. for four years.

Why are you called Waves?

I chose the nature name Waves because I grew up in a family that moved around a lot, and I didn't always like having to leave a place and adapt to a new environment with new people, but I've always loved being near water. I quickly learned that no matter where I was, I could find some water to sit next to and relax beside. Whether it's the ocean, a river, a bay, or just a little creek, if you sit still, close your eyes, and listen, the sound of the current or the waves is the same no matter where you are in the world. Sometimes the waves are really big and turbulent and sometimes they're barely noticeable, but that same rhythm is always there. No matter where I go, being by water and the sound of the waves always makes me feel at home.

What is your ideal day in nature?

My ideal day in nature is a warm sunny day spent swimming at the beach or kayaking down a river.