Leadership SAISD EdChat: Creating & Accessing Outdoor Learning Environments for Kids!

Join us in the gem that is Hemisfair Schultze House for a family friendly and fun-filled Leadership SAISD EdChat focused on creating and accessing outdoor learning environments for our kids in San Antonio.  We will be providing live Spanish translation, refreshments, and snacks as we delight in engaging dialogue and interactive breakout sessions. Please dress comfortably as we will be inviting you to participate in some light activities indoors and outdoors.  Below is our schedule of events:  10:00am-10:15am Opening Mixer (connect/engage with local organizations indoors)  10:15am-10:17am Welcome (indoors) 10:17am-10:30am Icebreaker (outdoor experience)  10:30am-10:37am Panelist & Moderator Intro (indoors) 10:40am-11:05am Interactive Panel Discussion (indoors) 11:05am-11:20am Interactive Q&A (indoors) 11:20am-11:45am Breakout Sessions (indoor and outdoor experience)  11:50am-12:00pm Thank You & Closing Mixer (connect/engage with local organizations indoors)  Moderators:  Sara Beesley, Center Director at Mitchell Lake Audubon Center Raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Sara Beesley has conservation in her blood. Sara earned B.A. from Trinity University in Theatre and Human Communications. Post-graduation, Sara worked at various nonprofits (Witte Museum, AtticRep, West Bay Opera, Livermore Shakespeare Festival, and Luminaria, to name a few) in San Antonio and the Bay Area for several years before finding her home with the National Audubon Society. Beginning as Development Assistant for Mitchell Lake Audubon Center in San Antonio, within two years she was the Center Director. During those two years, she concurrently earned her Master’s degree in Nonprofit Management from Our Lady of the Lake University. Sara Beesley serves on the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan Steering Committee as chair for the Natural Resources Working Group. Additionally, she serves on the board of the South San Antonio Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors as Tourism Committee Co-Chair, is a graduate of the Leadership SAISD program, and is Education Chair for the Classic Theatre of San Antonio board of directors. In her spare time, she enjoys long walks in nature with her dogs, Izzy and Zeke or viewing plays with her partner in life, Cameron. Jeanette Honermann, Outreach and Outdoor Programs Market Coordinator for REI.  Jeanette is an accomplished, innovative facilitator with decades of public sector and nonprofit leadership experience, creating measurable community and economic development initiatives and impact. Passionately curious about the relationship between wellness and nature, she is a certified meditation instructor focused on building everyday awareness. A local community advocate for embracing change, Jeanette is a firm believer in the benefits of nature for growing tomorrow’s leaders and is continuously inspired by her niece and nephews to play harder (outside). She currently serves as Outreach and Outdoor Programs Market Coordinator for REI, in San Antonio Texas where she supports local outdoor organizations and the community to #OptOutside. Panelists: Heather Eichling  Heather is mom to two boys, ages 1 and 6. Her oldest attends Lamar Elementary, an SAISD in-district charter school. Her professional experience since graduating from Tufts University with a degree in Art History includes working for a variety of arts and cultural nonprofit organizations, from grassroots to governmental. Heather spent a few years as a stay at home parent and is easing her way back into the workforce. She currently works for San Antonio’s PBS affiliate KLRN, in the education department where she focuses on community partnerships. She also blogs for Alamo City Moms as the Community Resource Specialist writing about family friendly events every month as well as holiday events for kids. She’s also written about local parks after spending a summer exploring parks throughout San Antonio with her oldest son. Heather enjoys filling her family's weekends with the diversity San Antonio has to offer as well as exploring nature in various ways. Fun fact:Heather and her husband got married in the Pedernales River at Pedernales Falls State Park and her sons were also baptized in the same river. Alex Bailey is the founder and Executive Director of Black Outside, Inc. Ten years ago, Alex emerged from the frigid waters of the New Hampshire mountains and looked around questioned why none of the campers on the hike looked like him.  After witnessing the transformative power of the outdoors for three summers as an overnight camp counselor, he was firmly convinced that the outdoors and nature have an inexplicable impact on a young person’s life.  Alex soon joined Teach For America as corps member in the Rio Grande Valley and served as a classroom educator for four years, before joining the Teach For America – San Antonio staff as an instructional/leadership coach. This ensuing chapter of his leadership as coach in 30+ schools in San Antonio, solidified his belief that the outdoors was vitally missing from the education ecosystem.  After spending a year and half shadowing and learning from over 12 summer camps and outdoor organizations, Alex founded Black Outside, Inc with the intention of providing transformative outdoor experiences to students of color, particularly those from low-income communities in order to provide more equitable access to outdoor programming for students.  Additional info on Black Outside Black Outside provides students with immersive experiences in the outdoors that enhance the critical skills needed for to be successful leaders in the classroom, in their community, and in their career. With the help of the amazing San Antonio community, Black Outside resurrected the nations first summer camp for young Black girls: Camp Founder Girls and will partner with two SAISD schools to provide year-round outdoor programming.  For more information on Black Outside, Inc visit their websitewww.blackoutside.org or follow their movement on Instagram @blackoutsidetx Josie Gutierrez Deeply rooted in the Latino community, Josie has had a lifelong dedication in celebrating the love of her heritage. She founded the FitFunand blog which has established a significant following. Leveraging her message in this way, Josie is able to share her enthusiasm for fitness and the outdoors. In her hometown of San Antonio, she keeps busy organizing outdoor events for Latino Outdoors once a month. Josie has spent decades connecting to nature and loves nothing more than to share her love for the outdoors with her family, friends and Latino Outdoors. On any given weekend you will likely find Josie outdoors connecting, learning & exploring. Born and raised In San Antonio, TX Josie has had a wonderful outdoor playground, the Texas Hill Country. Openly sharing each step of her life’s journey, her intention is to awaken the childlike wonderment in all of us. As a Program Coordinator for Latino Outdoors in the Southwest, Josie will engage, encourage and promote her love for Mother Nature in outdoor adventures and activities. Josie blogs at fitfunand.com (check it out!). Local Organizations Joining Us:  Texas Parks & Wildlife  Latino Outdoors  Black Outside  City of San Antonio Parks & Recreation  REI  Mitchell Lake Audobon Center  Hemisfair  Parking Details: