Applying Equity & Empathy in Program Partnerships: A Wildlife Champions Story
Thursday, April 23 | 2:30pm - 3:45pm
Session Description: Wildlife Champions is a nature-based educational program that operates within a local elementary school. Metro Parks Tacoma used a new approach to build an equitable, inclusive partnership with our local school district by working side-by-side to create programs WITH them instead of FOR them. This has led to a powerful and effective relationship that is a model of collaborative potential. Experience our story and discover how you can effectively engage your community partners to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion goals.
Learning Objectives:
- Attendees will learn about the challenges and successes of working with partners and community members to create conservation-focused programs for underserved audiences.
- Attendees will hear three distinct perspectives from educators regarding the partnership and the associated impacts and perceptions, and how these voices helped shape the endeavor.
- Attendees will leave with a blueprint for effective, equity and empathy-based engagement with underrepresented members of their communities.
Speakers: Craig Standridge, Jasmine Blackwell, Jian Rzeszewicz
About the Speakers: Craig has been with Metro Parks Tacoma for 16 years, serving as Conservation Engagement Coordinator. He has a MaED from Argosy University and a BS in Environmental & Forest Biology from SUNY ESF. Prior to his work with Metro Parks he was a Park Ranger for the City of New York and the State of North Carolina. He has been a leader in red wolf conservation efforts for over a decade and is the author of Return of the Red Wolf.
Jasmine has a Bachelor’s from Washington State University, and has been teaching four years at Arlington Elementary School in South Tacoma. She has taught both 4th and 5th graders with compassion, empathy and respect. Ms. Blackwell was instrumental in focusing the vision of Wildlife Champions, and has been a valued leader in bringing this innovative partnership program to life.
Jian has a diverse array of experiences that make her an effective and nurturing informal educator. She has a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Whitworth University, and has several years of experience as a tutor and educator. Jian firmly believes that all children deserve access to equitable education opportunities, and she has a special interest in working with children who have experienced trauma.
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