How can students achieve educational outcomes in a challenging way in a creative setting? The answer at the International School Nido de Aguilas in Santiago, Chile is: through the Outdoor Education Program! Zack Beaty is the Outdoor Education Coordinator at Nido de Aguilas. Originally from Waco, Texas, Zack and his wife, Becca, an elementary educator, moved to Chile to experience life in a Spanish-speaking country, improve their Spanish language skills, specifically for his career as an HS Spanish teacher, and teach internationally for a “short time” while also adventuring in South America for a few years before resettling in Texas. After seven years at Nido as an MS PE teacher, Zack transitioned to be the Outdoor Education Coordinator. He loves his position serving the Nido students and community in that role, helping students learn about themselves, each other, and the world around them via Outdoor Education experiences.
Our guiding question for the episode was “How does the Outdoor Education program support the mission and curriculum of the International School Nido de Aguilas?”
We discussed how the founding of the school and its mission incorporated Outdoor Education into the school culture. Key aspects of the Nido Outdoor Education Program are self-understanding, inquiry, one’s place within the community, life skill development, and personal growth. Zack, whose role closely resembles that of an instructional coach, described how the program is integrated into the regular classroom curricula across the three school divisions. We also connected on how widespread Outdoor Education is across the globe in international schools.
This episode was recorded on January 17, 2023.
Zack’s Contact Information: @nidowithoutwalls on Instagram
Categories: School Life | Trends | Wellness
