DRW Interview Early Childhood Environmental Educator: Cassandra Ellis

In 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 that strengthen the individual, family, collective and the web of life. She is a Washington State approved early childhood education STARS Trainer, Child Development Associate (CDA) Professional Development (PD) Specialist, certified holistic movement teacher, certified children’s yoga teacher, and certifiably hilarious first-time dog mama. Cassandra plays, works and lives in the lush Pacific Northwest. She gives gratitude to the Snohomish Tribe and the extensive web of Coast Salish tribes that have tended to the lands long before she planted her own feet there. Social Media: www.thekinshipschool.com @thekinshipschool (Instagram) Resources: Heather Kindem's website, designer of The Happenings Mat: thehappeningsmat.org/ This is the Nonviolent Communication (known as NVC and also known as Compassionate Communication) needs inventory I mentioned: cnvc.org/training/resource/needs-inventory And the feelings inventory: cnvc.org/training/resource/feelings-inventory Also since I mentioned her, Claire Warden: claire-warden.com/ And Chicago Botanic Garden's nature preschool: chicagobotanic.org/preschool Stepping Stones Nursery School in Chicago: steppingstonesnurseryschool.net As always, the purpose of the interviews is to highlight the great work of the individuals who are making a huge impact in the world of early childhood environmental education. Diona Reese Williams Edited Production: Angel Productions DRW Guest: Cassandra Ellis Facebook Page: @dionareesewilliams Instagram DRW Personal Brand: @drw_dionareesewilliams Instagram Out Back Learning LLC: @outbacklearning2019 Facebook Page: @outbacklearning2019 Podcast: https://anchor.fm/diona-williams