How to Introduce Yourself as a

Natural Teacher without Holding Back

When people ask you,” What do you do?” Do you ever dread or avoid answering, “I am a Natural Teacher” simply because you can’t or don’t want to explain what that might be? This happens to me more often than I would like. If I am in a new social situation, I often get caught off-guard and end up selling myself short. I cram myself into a “normal” job title simply to avoid looking a little flaky and disorganized. I am a Naturalist, Educator, and Advocate who inspires teachers to re-connect children with nature. I do this both virtually with my Outdoor-Classrooms.com platform and through my on-site workshops. Why do I hold back in explaining this?

Part of my holding back, in social situations, is the fact that I want to be speaking the same language as the people I am with. I want to keep conversations comfortable, quick and easy. The problem is, there is a lot more depth my description above and my becoming A Natural Teacher. As Natural Teachers we need to be able to articulate our own narrative, write our own garden story and introduce ourselves to the world without hesitation!

Here are 4 Strategies to help you Introduce yourself as a Natural Teacher without holding back.

Strategy One: Don’t Make Assumptions. Before explaining what a Natural Teacher is, have the courage to ask questions to learn what your audience already knows about this topic. Don’t assume there is a lack of interest or knowledge.

Strategy Two: Define What “Natural Teacher” and “Naturalist” Means to YOU. This definition may simply be, “I use Nature as a teaching tool in my Outdoor Classroom.” The more we use these vocabulary words the more common they will become. It is important that you find your own words and definition.

Strategy Three: Embrace ALL Your Gifts. Are you multi-passionate? A variety of creative ideas can be your pearls for teaching outdoors. Don’t be defined by one passion to “fit” in. Nurture your gifts and cultivate the mixing and matching of ideas for your Outdoor Classroom.

Strategy Four: Start Writing. Journaling for yourself is powerful.  Get curious and ask, “What is my story? What is my legacy? How does that translate into Becoming a Natural Teacher?” Now simply write….

Strategy Five: Articulate Who You Are and What You Are Doing. To create a foundation for all the work ahead, it is important to be able to articulate what Becoming A Natural Teacher really is for you. Create an elevator speech. Practice it in front of the mirror. Share it with friends and family.

Becoming a Natural Teacher is deep work. This is one of the reasons I have created an entire e-course around it. This is phase one of the Teaching in the Dirt Series. 

• Module 1: Strengthening Your Professional Identity as a Natural Teacher
• Module 2: Your Own Map of Intention: Creating a Vision
• Module 3: Nurturing Your Garden Practice: The Transformation

For more information: E-mail Victoria Hackett

Looking forward to seeing you in our virtual classroom.

Victoria