Local DKG group shares U.P. education with world
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NORWAY, Mich. -- The US Forum Committee on Mental Health of the Delta Kappa Gamma International Society for key woman educators sponsored an international Zoom presentation featuring educators from Norway, Michigan's Holy Spirit Catholic School on Nov. 16.
Holy Spirit Catholic School elementary teachers and co-directors of early childhood education, Heidi Hansen (kindergarten), and Adrienne Savord (first grade) together with Holy Spirit School Principal Catherine Menghini, presented to DKG International members on "The Many Advantages of Outdoor Education."
Holy Spirit Catholic School has an operational outdoor classroom and curriculum and these educators shared with DKG members the numerous benefits outdoor education can provide to students. These educators shared that outdoor classrooms have shown to boost student academic performance in all curriculum areas of learning.
Outdoor classrooms enhance students' creativity, critical thinking and problem solving and have a positive effect on both the physical and mental wellness of students. Hansen, Savord and Menghini shared their personal education experiences and backed it up with research indicating that spending time outside in nature improves emotional wellness and provides stress relief as cortisol levels are reduced; being outside in nature improves the immune system and students are sick less often and have better attendance; outside education also benefits students' social emotional development and fosters positive social relationships and bullying behavior is greatly reduced, and it enhances students' attention and ability to focus on learning.
DKG members thank Holy Spirit School educators, Hansen, Savord and Menghini for the fantastic job they did sharing their expertise and passion about outdoor education with the international group.
Debbie Pajula, member of local DKG Beta Sigma Chapter, of DKG US Forum Mental Health Committee, and legislative co-chair of DKG Michigan State Organization, together with Beverley Johns, DKG US Forum NE Representative, author and past DKG Illinois State President organized the Zoom opportunity for DKG International. Members from the US and Canada attended.
DKG is an international society of women educators that promotes professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education. The Beta Sigma Chapter includes members from Michigan's Dickinson, Delta, Menominee and neighboring Wisconsin's Marinette, Oconto, and Florence counties.
For more information, visit dkg.org.