171: Discover the Wonders of Nature & Education: A Conversation with Steffany Cartellone

aarmau@gmail.comApril 25, 2023Uncategorized

In this episode of the podcast, I speak with Steffany Cartellone. According to her beautiful website, A Snail’s Pace she says,

“I am the mother of two crazy, joyful children, a prolific reader, and avid nature lover. My love of the outdoors began in the shallow waters of Deer Lake, Minnesota when I was just a babe and this love has grown throughout my life. Whether across an ocean or in my own backyard, I look for the beauty and serenity which is always there.”

She is currently a 7th-grade science and design thinking teacher with 23 years of experience in education. She has worked in North Carolina, Texas, Iowa, and Maryland.

In this captivating episode of the podcast, we dive into a stimulating conversation about her incredible passion for nature, photography, and fostering meaningful connections in the classroom.

Steffany, the creator of the visually stunning blog, A Snail’s Pace, shares her unique journey as she has lived across the United States, adapting to different educational systems and cultural landscapes while staying true to her love for the outdoors.

Listen Now:

Direct Link: https://coffeechug.simplecast.com/episodes/171

Apple Podcast – Find this episode and all the previous episodes on Apple Podcast

Spotify – Find this episode and previous episodes of the show on Spotify!

Show Notes:

🌿 Introduction: Meet Steffany Cartellone

  • The woman behind A Snail’s Pace blog
  • A devoted mother, nature lover, and experienced educator

🌱 Steffany’s Origin Story

  • From the tranquil waters of Deer Lake, Minnesota to the classrooms of North Carolina, Texas, Iowa, and Maryland
  • How teaching a high ropes course in the mountains led to her A-HA moment

🌳 Lessons Learned Through Teaching Across the US

  • Embracing new perspectives and understanding cultural nuances
  • The power of shared experiences and connections between people

🍃 Bringing Learning to the Dinner Table

  • Merging her passion for nature, outdoors, and photography
  • The art of capturing human emotions and perspectives in her writing and photographs
  • Overcoming vulnerability and the courage to hit the “Publish” button

💡Challenges, Goals & Surprising Takeaways

  • Striking a balance between proficiency measurements and nurturing students’ curiosity and passion
  • The importance of intentionality and setting the right tone in education
  • The realization that middle school students share similarities despite cultural differences

🔑 Key Moments & Emerging Patterns

  • The continuous pursuit of learning and growth as an educator
  • The influence of personal passions and perspectives in shaping one’s teaching approach

Listener Challenge:

📷 Embrace the beauty of nature – take a picture outdoors, write a few words or a poem, and share your creation with us and the world.

📚 Dive into my example I did this weekend in preparation for the episode

💬 Share your thoughts and takeaways from this enlightening conversation with us on social media! What resonated with you the most?

Join us in exploring Steffany Cartellone’s fascinating journey through education and nature, and let her story inspire you to see the world through a new lens!

Resources Mentioned in Show:

Favorite Ideas from the Conversation:

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