Susie is one of our outstanding volunteers who is invaluable to our Real Learning Real Work education program. This year, Susie worked with Chimacum and Blue Heron Middle School students to design and implement their own salmon habitat restoration projects.
Susie, can you tell us more about your diverse background in education? What has been your favorite place, school, or experience as an educator?
I began teaching sixth and seventh grade English in 1968 at a small school in Western Massachusetts. Since then I have taught students as young as pre-K and as old as alternative high school in Colorado, some of who were almost 20. I also worked in the education department of Shelburne Museum in Vermont. I spent 22 summers working at a children's summer camp in Lake Placid, New York and it is that experience that made me love being with kids in the outdoors.
What inspires you to work with youth in the outdoors through programs like Real Learning Real Work?
The kids are learning so much when they do projects for NOSC. Yes, they learn about salmon habitat and life cycles, but it is so much more than that. They learn to work together in small groups and really take responsibility for their project. It is so important to have kids be outdoors away from screens and walls. If we are going to preserve our natural world, we need to let kids experience its magic.
What makes volunteering for NOSC a meaningful use of your time? Do you have a favorite memory or experience volunteering for NOSC?
I love being retired. I don't serve on committees. I have attended enough meetings in my life. But volunteering with NOSC makes me realize why I loved working with kids all my life. I come home from a day of planting with kids and feel exhilarated and not 73! I have lots of wonderful memories of working with kids and NOSC but one that stands out was with Chimacum 7th graders on the creek behind the school. I had a group of three boys and a girl who was from Quilcene. She was totally together. In an incredibly supportive way she organized those boys, dug holes in the hard earth, and planted bare root plants. She never tired and never complained, nor did the boys with her as a role model. She told me she lived on a farm and was used to hard work. I was impressed not only with her work ethic, but also with her ability to keep the group together and on task without being at all bossy. She was inspiring.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I love to hike, garden, read and spend time with my grandchildren. I have vowed to hike up to Buckhorn Pass on my birthday every year until I absolutely can't any more.
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
Oh my. I wish I could do handwork and was musical like my mom. I wish I had learned to speak Italian when I was young. But being realistic, I want to keep learning the names of the wildflowers in these mountains. I have a ways to go.
Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?
I guard my time fiercely. Having so little time when I taught, I relish my free time now but volunteering for NOSC with kids is incredibly rewarding. I just hope I am good for another ten years.
