Teaching in Higher Ed Learning to Teach, Design, and Rest From Nature
Jul 10, 2025
Karen Costa, a faculty development facilitator and author, dives into the intersection of education and nature. She discusses the therapeutic benefits of gardening and how engaging with green spaces can enhance mental well-being. Costa advocates for a teaching approach that emphasizes learning from nature and the importance of rest for resilience, suggesting that we can draw inspiration from nature’s cycles. She also touches on the role of diversity as a foundational strength in both ecosystems and educational environments.
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Garden's Healing Role
- Karen Costa shared how gardening helped her through a tough summer by giving her a grounding daily task.
- Despite not having a green thumb, caring for native plants in her backyard supported her mental health and connection to nature.
Learning From Nature's Design
- Biomimicry teaches us to learn from nature as a mentor, not just learn about it.
- Karen Costa applies biomimicry principles to education, focusing on mutual benefit in relationships like faculty and students.
Rest Fuels Resilience
- Nature exemplifies resilience through cycles of rest and renewal, such as hibernation and seasonal dormancy.
- Karen emphasizes rest as essential for resilience, sharing how her grandmother modeled restorative hibernation.
