A handful of Helena Public School Teachers gathered along the banks of Spring Meadow Lake to enjoy a Nature Journaling Workshop led by local watercolorist and nature journalist Cindy Greiman. As part of The Myrna’s Mental Health and Arts Initiative, this workshop allowed these teachers a moment to slow down and reconnect with the surrounding serenity.
By tuning in to the birds, grasses, summer sun, cooling breeze, and gentle lapping of the water, they honed their observational skills, learned a few tips and tricks of the trade for capturing the happenings around them, and gained insight into how to bring this learning into their classrooms to help their students connect back to nature, too.
“I feel peaceful and grateful. I have 2 small kids and an overstimulating (yet amazing) career. This was a fantastic, grounding experience that I can’t wait to use personally with my family and in my classroom.”
“I feel excited and empowered to try this with my students. There’s a flood of ideas about how to incorporate this in science instruction. My mood is elevated after having spent a chunk of time sitting silently and listening to nature around me. I described the sights and sounds, listed organisms and made observations. It was a truly energizing and invigorating experience.”
“I feel calmer and excited about trying this on my own. Just appreciating and finding my own imperfect way to appreciate the natural world is exciting. I think this workshop could be at least 4 hours long!”
Photo Credit: Mikell Fox
Special Thanks to The Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation and Montana WILD for making this experience possible!
