1.1 Professional Development Opportunities Offered for Teachers
Watkins nature Center Workshops
Watkins Nature Center offers workshops created by center staff and workshops offered by national organizations. If teachers participate in 15 hours of workshop time at Watkins Nature Center, they qualify for 1 MSDE professional development credit. Whenever possible, we try to offer low-cost or free workshops for teachers residing in Maryland and the D.C. areas.
Below are just a few examples of Professional Development opportunities we have offered over the past few years. By providing workshops, Watkins Nature Center ensures that teachers and other environmental educators are aware of best practices in Environmental Education (EE), and that they are aware of the many resources available to educate their students.
Below are just a few examples of Professional Development opportunities we have offered over the past few years. By providing workshops, Watkins Nature Center ensures that teachers and other environmental educators are aware of best practices in Environmental Education (EE), and that they are aware of the many resources available to educate their students.
EXAMPLES OF HOW WE ADHERE TO THOSE GOALS AT WATKINS NATURE CENTER
Project Wet workshop
On the December 10th, 2022, Watkins Nature Center offered the Project Wet Workshop. Project WET (Water Education for Teachers) is a collection of innovative, water-related activities that are hands-on, easy to use, and fun! This course is for public and private school teachers, youth club leaders, museum staff, other community educators, and even parents. All gain something from using Project Wet. Participants received educator materials to take home and were trained how to best utilize the books through taking the role of the student and engaging in activities from the books.
Growing up wild
We offered Growing Up Wild workshops to teachers on March 24th, 2023, for the Quality Improvement Network, a coalition of Early Head Start Teachers. These trainings and books are written especially for early childhood educators of children ages 3-7 and includes outdoor explorations, scientific inquiry, art projects, music and movement, conservation activities, reading and math connections, as well as social, emotional, physical, language, and cognitive domains to help foster learning and development in all areas.
1.2 Professional Development of Center Staff
Amanda Abrams, Nature Facility Program Manager
Started at Watkins Nature Center Director December 2019
She has a B.S. from Radford University in Parks & Recreation, Recreation Management. For 11 years she served as a Park Ranger for the Maryland National-Capital Park and Planning Commission in Prince George’s County. She has also worked for the Delaware Nature Society, Zoo Atlanta, Georgia State University. In addition she is a certified Maryland Master Naturalist. During the last few years, Amanda has also completed her Master Gardener Certification.
Professional Development:
Master Gardener
She has a B.S. from Radford University in Parks & Recreation, Recreation Management. For 11 years she served as a Park Ranger for the Maryland National-Capital Park and Planning Commission in Prince George’s County. She has also worked for the Delaware Nature Society, Zoo Atlanta, Georgia State University. In addition she is a certified Maryland Master Naturalist. During the last few years, Amanda has also completed her Master Gardener Certification.
Professional Development:
Master Gardener
Morgan mcginnity, park naturalist
Morgan McGinnity is a full-time park naturalist at Watkins Nature Center. Morgan is the Animal Care Coordinator of our Animal Ambassadors, as well as pioneering our Virtual Programming.
Professional Development:
Supervisor's Management School-Presented by North Carolina State University in cooperation with the National Recreation & Park Association (November 2012 & November 2022)
Virtual Raptor Courses - Presented by Carolina Raptor Center (March-April 2022)
American Canoe Association Introduction to Kayaking Course (September 2022)
Bat Conservation International Bat Ambassador Training (June 2023)
Professional Development:
Supervisor's Management School-Presented by North Carolina State University in cooperation with the National Recreation & Park Association (November 2012 & November 2022)
Virtual Raptor Courses - Presented by Carolina Raptor Center (March-April 2022)
- *March 29: Raptor Behavior and Communication
- *April 5: Food Management
- *April 12: Raptor Training Techniques
- *April 19: Ambassador Birds: Selection and Management
- *April 26: Panel Discussion 4:00-4:45pm
American Canoe Association Introduction to Kayaking Course (September 2022)
Bat Conservation International Bat Ambassador Training (June 2023)
Elizabeth Bailey, Park Naturalist
Elizabeth Bailey is a part-time naturalist here at Watkins Nature Center. She has been with us for years, starting as a Summer Camp Participant, joining our Youth Volunteer Program, and finally joining us part-time while obtaining her degree. During this recertification time frame, she graduated Juniata College with her Bachelor's of Science Degree in Wildlife Conservation.
Professional Development:
Juniata College with her Bachelor's of Science Degree in Wildlife Conservation (May 2023)
Professional Development:
Juniata College with her Bachelor's of Science Degree in Wildlife Conservation (May 2023)
Aileen Ervin, Park naturalist
Aileen Ervin is a part-time park naturalist at Watkins Nature Center. Aside from helping pioneer our virtual programming, Aileen has completed several pertitant trainings.
Professional Development:
Virtual Raptor Courses - Presented by Carolina Raptor Center (March-April 2022)
Bat Conservation International Bat Ambassador Training (June 2023)
Professional Development:
Virtual Raptor Courses - Presented by Carolina Raptor Center (March-April 2022)
- *March 29: Raptor Behavior and Communication
- *April 5: Food Management
- *April 12: Raptor Training Techniques
- *April 19: Ambassador Birds: Selection and Management
- *April 26: Panel Discussion 4:00-4:45pm
Bat Conservation International Bat Ambassador Training (June 2023)
Jaron Winter, Park Naturalist
Jaron Winters is a part-time naturalist at Watkins Nature Center. Jaron has been with us since he was old enough to volunteer and has a passion for delivering programs to our students. In addition to leading our new volunteer program, he has recently become a Bat Ambassador. Professional Development: Bat Conservation International Bat Ambassador Training (June 2023) |
Ash Miller, Park Naturalist
Ash Miller is a part-time naturalist at Watkins Nature Center and a dedicated member of our team. In addition to running his first summer camps, Ash graduated from Frostburg State University with a Bachelors of Science in Interpretive Biology and Natural History.
Professional Development:
Frostburg State University: Bachelors of Science in Interpretive Biology and Natural History (December 2021)
Virtual Raptor Courses - Presented by Carolina Raptor Center (March-April 2022)
Professional Development:
Frostburg State University: Bachelors of Science in Interpretive Biology and Natural History (December 2021)
Virtual Raptor Courses - Presented by Carolina Raptor Center (March-April 2022)
- *March 29: Raptor Behavior and Communication
- *April 5: Food Management
- *April 12: Raptor Training Techniques
- *April 19: Ambassador Birds: Selection and Management
- *April 26: Panel Discussion 4:00-4:45pm