Episode 221: Farm School’d: Bringing Forest School to Every Child with Dr. Jean Lomino
What if the principles of forest school weren’t limited to forest schools?
In this episode of the Outdoor Classrooms Podcast, I’m joined by Dr. Jean Lomino, founder of the Forest School Teacher Institute, co-founder of Tennessee’s first forest kindergarten, and a longtime leader in nature-based education.
Jean has helped train more than 1,000 forest school educators and directors from around the world, but what I love most about this conversation is the bigger question behind her work: How can we make meaningful outdoor learning accessible to ALL children?
We talk about Jean’s journey from classroom teacher to forest school leader, what children can teach us when we give them time and freedom outdoors, and how forest school principles can begin finding their way into traditional and public school settings.
We also talk about Jean’s recent appearance in the documentary Farm School’d and what she hopes it will help people understand about children, learning, and our relationship with the natural world.
In this episode, we explore:
• Jean’s journey into forest school education
• Her experience being featured in Farm School’d
• What children teach us when we slow down and follow their lead
• Why outdoor learning doesn’t require a perfect forest or acres of land
• The growing possibilities for forest programs within public schools
• How educators can begin with one small step
• Jean’s vision for the future of children, nature, and education
This conversation is an invitation to think bigger about what education could become—and to remember that meaningful change often begins small.
Dream Big. Start Small. Cultivate Change.
Contact Dr. Jean Lomino
Founder & Director, Forest School Teacher Institute
Email: jean@forestteacher.org
General email: info@forestteacher.org
Website: Forest School Teacher Institute
Outdoor Classroom Resources & Links:
🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (halfway down the page)
🎓 Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program
🌸 CIRCLE Membership Community
Connect with Victoria:
Website: www.outdoor-classrooms.com
Email: Victoria@outdoor-classrooms.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/outdoor_classrooms/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OutdoorClassrooms1
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If you believe in the power of outdoor learning and nature-based education, we'd love to partner with you. Sponsoring the Outdoor Classrooms Podcast helps support educators while connecting your organization with a passionate community of teachers, school leaders, and families.
Contact Victoria at victoria@outdoor-classrooms.com to learn more.
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