On a brand-new Teachers’ Lounge, Kristen Delisio!
She’s an elementary STEAM teacher at the Hinckley-Big Rock School District. Over the first few years of her program, her kids have gotten the chance to build robots and rockets and all sorts of cool stuff!
Kristen also has a passion for outdoor education and loves to help students engage with their learning through nature. She even has her own outdoor program called Education Revival!
“I did a thing once with the biography of Laura Ingalls Wilder: the ultimate Pioneer Woman. [The students] searched on my farm for items after reading a book that would represent different stages in her life,” said Delisio. “She's from Walnut Grove, Minnesota, so we found a walnut shell. There were big snowstorms, so we grabbed some cotton balls. Then we made a timeline out of natural objects to represent her life. So, the kids are really able to connect with learning and the depth of learning is there when they're the ones figuring it out.”
We talk all about outdoor education, STEAM, being an urban girl teaching rural education, and her recent awesome opportunity to be part of the Teacher Innovator Institute in Washington DC!
If you’ve never listened to Teachers’ Lounge before, our show is based on an idea -- we’ve all had teachers in our lives who shaped who we are. And we want to hear about the teachers who inspired you or deserve a spotlight in your community. Every educator we have on this podcast, whether teacher, coach, counselor or professor, is nominated by our listeners.
So, tell us about the person who comes to your mind. Shoot us an email and nominate an educator at teacherslounge@niu.edu and they could be on the podcast! And please subscribe to our Teachers' Lounge newsletter right here where you can stay up to speed on the show and share stories you think we should cover!
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SHOW NOTES
Educator in this episode:
Kristen Delisio
Music: Our show's theme music is from the northern Illinois-based band "Kindoves" and their songs "Popn," "Origins" and "Quiche." You can find more of their music on their Soundcloud page. You can also listen to the episode of WNIJ's own Sessions from Studio A where they were featured.
Teachers! People who know teachers! People with stories about teachers! Send us an email and be part of the show! Also, send us your topic recommendations: teacherslounge@niu.edu
