Empowering Educators Through Outdoor Classrooms: Interview with Victoria Hackett, M.Ed.

As outdoor educators, we know that nature-based learning isn’t just about growing gardens—it’s about creating opportunities for children to explore, learn, and thrive in an outdoor environment. In this post, I’m excited to share highlights from my recent conversation with Victoria Hackett, M.Ed., an award-winning nature-based educator and advocate.

Victoria’s journey from being a passionate parent to becoming a leader in outdoor education is inspiring. Together, we explored her framework for outdoor teaching and the benefits it offers students and teachers alike.

How Victoria's Outdoor Classroom Journey Began

Victoria’s journey started when she noticed a neglected outdoor space at her children’s school. Driven by the question, “What if we turned this into an outdoor classroom?”, she mobilized the community to transform the area. However, she soon realized that teachers were unsure how to make use of the space.

That experience led Victoria to shift her focus from building outdoor spaces to empowering educators with the tools and confidence to teach outside—a mission that continues to drive her work today.

The 5 Phases of Outdoor Teaching

Victoria shared her 5-phase approach to outdoor education, which helps educators integrate nature into their curriculum step-by-step:

1. Infrastructure Setup: Create a functional outdoor space by deciding what elements to include (like gardens, seating, or mud kitchens).
2. Getting Outdoors: Help teachers and students feel comfortable outside through practice, even for simple activities like reading a book outdoors.
3. Teaching and Learning: Align lessons with the outdoor environment, connecting the curriculum to nature.
4. Embracing the Weather: Learn to see weather as a teaching tool rather than a barrier, with proper clothing and planning.
5. Sustainability: Maintain outdoor spaces and teach students sustainable practices for long-term use.

The 4 Types of Gardens

Victoria also outlined four types of gardens that can enhance an outdoor classroom:

1. Gardens that Feed: Focus on growing food with students, from planting seeds to harvesting.
2. Gardens that Attract Wildlife: Pollinator gardens with native plants that attract butterflies, bees, and other creatures.
3. Gardens for Art and Beauty: Spaces filled with flowers and art installations to inspire creativity.
4. Outdoor Learning Stations: Functional areas like mud kitchens, water walls, and maker spaces to promote hands-on learning.

Victoria emphasized that educators can start with the garden type that feels most manageable and expand as they grow more confident.

Overcoming Barriers to Teaching Outdoors

Many teachers struggle with incorporating outdoor learning due to time constraints or unfamiliarity with outdoor spaces. Victoria and I discussed how starting small—such as bringing a class outside for a story or quick lesson—can help build comfort and confidence.

We also noted that building new habits takes time, and that both students and teachers benefit from practicing outdoor routines until they become second nature. With the right support and mindset, outdoor learning can become a joyful, regular part of any educator’s practice.

The Benefits of Outdoor Learning

Spending time outdoors provides countless benefits for children, including:

• Reduced stress and anxiety
• Improved behavior and focus
• Healthier eating habits
• Greater creativity and problem-solving skills

Victoria and I both believe that connecting children with nature can shape them into more empathetic, resilient individuals, regardless of the careers they pursue in the future. As Victoria put it: “You don’t need to become a farmer to benefit from knowing how to grow food.”

Let’s Create Outdoor Learning Spaces Together

In our conversation, Victoria and I agreed that creating outdoor classrooms isn’t a one-person job—it takes a community effort. Whether you’re a teacher, parent, or administrator, we encourage you to join the movement by creating more opportunities for children to connect with nature at school and at home.

Connect with Victoria Hackett

Victoria offers a variety of resources for educators looking to enhance their outdoor teaching practice:

• Website: www.outdoor-classrooms.com
• Email: victoria@outdoor-classrooms.com
• CIRCLE Membership Community: Join Here

Stay tuned for Victoria’s Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program launching in late December 2024/January 2025!

Final Thoughts

This conversation with Victoria Hackett was a wonderful reminder of the power of outdoor learning to transform not just children but entire communities. If you’d like to dive deeper into this topic, make sure to listen to the full episode of School Gardens with Ease wherever you get your podcasts.

Listen now: 

Let’s continue the conversation! What small steps can you take to bring nature into your classroom or community? Leave a comment below or reach out to me—I’d love to hear your thoughts!