Pathways: Fall 2023 Newsletter

NOTES FROM THE FIELD > FALL 2023
PATHWAYS
DIRECTOR'S NOTE
Dear Friends,
As the vibrant hues of autumn paint the landscape, I'm
excited to welcome you to our Fall Newsletter. This season
marks not only a transition in the natural world but also an
exciting new chapter for Muddy Sneakers. As we dive into
another school year, we are filled with excitement for the
enriching journey that lies ahead.
For Muddy Sneakers' fifth graders, this isn't just another
school year – it's an opportunity to explore, discover, and
connect with nature in ways that ignite their curiosity and
deepen their understanding of science. We're thrilled to
support their academic year with hands-on outdoor
experiences that breathe life into learning.
In this newsletter, you'll catch a glimpse of the exciting
initiatives, innovative program offerings, and collaborative
partnership opportunities planned for the year ahead. This
year, Muddy Sneakers will reach more students than ever
before and we're eager to share the stories of growth and
exploration that will unfold!
Thank you for joining us on
this journey as we empower
the next generation of
curious minds and nature
enthusiasts.
David Rahahę·tih Webb,
Executive Director
WHAT'S NEW?
PILOT PROGRAM:
3 PARTNERSHIP TIERS
Educators today bear a
multitude of responsibilities,
each task seemingly more
intricate than the last:
managing staff shortages,
devising captivating lesson
plans, mastering new
technologies, tending to
student conduct, nurturing
social and emotional
development, and
accommodating diverse
learning styles, among others.
Unsurprisingly, the 2023
State of the American
Teacher Survey underscores
that teachers' well-being trails
behind that of the general
working population.*
In this demanding landscape,
a beacon of support emerges:
Muddy Sneakers. With a
decade and a half of honing
our program, we possess
irrefutable evidence that
Muddy Sneakers not only
cultivates students
academically, socially, and
emotionally, but also
alleviates the pressures faced
by 5th-grade science
educators. Additionally, we
equip them with techniques to
elevate their teaching prowess.
Despite these merits, some
schools remain uncertain
about partnering with Muddy
Sneakers. Feedback from our
community reveals that some
educators hesitate due to
concerns about time, effort,
financial commitments, and
potential challenges that might
arise.
Considering this input, we're
piloting solutions that aim to
extend our reach: three distinct
partnership options. This
diversification empowers
educators to decide the level
of involvement based on their
resources and comfort. The
question becomes: Dip a toe,
immerse a sneaker, or take the
plunge?
*Source: Doan, S. (2023, June 21).
Teacher Well-Being and Intentions to
Leave: Findings from the 2023 State of
the American Teacher Survey. RAND.
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Discovery Partnerships offer
schools new to Muddy
Sneakers an introduction to
essential program components
with minimal investment.
Hands-on participation
enables schools to tangibly
experience our value, making
progression to a more
comprehensive partnership an
organic transition.
Basic Partnerships share many
of the same benefits as Full
Partnerships while providing an
option for schools with time or
financial constraints. New
partners may use this option to
familiarize themselves with
expectations, processes, and
curriculum depth, paving the
way for a potential Full
Partnership or supplementary
à la carte selections.
thriving students and more
supported educators.
In addition to these three
partnership tiers, Remote
Partnerships continue to be
available for schools located
outside of our current
programming areas who want
to benefit from the holistic
learning approach Muddy
Sneakers provides.
The reaction from educational
institutions has been
overwhelmingly positive. New
partners are keen on the Full
Partnership, while those
seeking a pathway into the
program or those with
variable needs appreciate
the accessible options.
Returning partners continue
to lean towards Full
Partnerships.
2023-24 PARTNERSHIPS
BY PROGRAM TIER
Full
Basic
Custom
Remote
Discovery
2023-24 PARTNERSHIP MAP
4,200+
STUDENTS
63
SCHOOLS
17
COUNTIES/DISTRICTS
Full Partnerships exhibit the
textbook embodiment of our
impact. With a treasure trove
of recurring expeditions, virtual
learning sessions, Classroom
Curriculum modules, ondemand
coaching, and adept
End-Of-Grade test
preparation, this level results in
As we march forward, our
program model will evolve in
tandem with input from
schools and the evaluation by
NC State University, ensuring
alignment with community
needs, fostering a connection
to local terrain, and fortifying
our educators.
# Schools Served per County
1. Buncombe (7)
2. Cleveland (5)
3. Forsyth (4)
4. Guilford (1)
5. Haywood (3)
6. Henderson (14)
7. Jackson (1)
8. Macon (1)
9. Montgomery (5)
10. Orange (1)
11. Polk (4)
12. Qualla Boundary (1)
13. Rowan (9)
14. Rutherford (1)
15. Stokes (1)
16. Transylvania (3)
17. Watauga (2)
WAYS TO SUPPORT
Your charitable donations will help more than 4,000 fifth graders, their teachers, and schools access experiential science education in
some of NC’s most iconic places. Beyond financial gifts, there are many ways to support Muddy Sneakers. Here are a few timely ideas:
HELLBENDER COFFEE IS BACK!
A subtly sweet, chocolatey blend supporting our mission
MUDDY SNEAKERS MORNING & FIRESIDE CHATS!
An easy way to make a significant impact
Makes a great teacher
and/or holiday gift!
This September, our friends at
Pisgah Coffee Roasters are
making it easy to perk up your
mornings while awakening a
deeply felt connection to the
natural world for NC students.
$7 of each $14 bag comes to
Muddy Sneakers. Stock up at
pisgahroasters.com!
Do you have a group of friends, colleagues, or connections
that would be interested in learning more about Muddy
Sneakers? We’d love to meet them!
As we take schools off our waiting list, we must build
awareness of our work to ensure sustainable financial
support for these new students. Please consider hosting a
Muddy Sneakers Morning or Fireside Chat to share Muddy
Sneakers with your community. To learn more, email Jordan
at jordan@muddysneakers.org.
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THE "MUDDY SNEAKERS MAGIC"
On a crisp fall morning in the
mountains, Muddy Sneakers'
Field Instructors prepare for an
outdoor educational
expedition.
Amid the tranquility of nature,
they await the arrival of 80
energetic 5th graders who will
be trading in their desks for
streams, towering trees and
open meadows for the day.
Learning about Forces and
Motion through activities like
engineering handmade boats
and hanging bear bags while
Junaluska Elementary School, Forces & Motion expedition in Pisgah National Forest
"Our students were more inquisitive and invested in
their own learning today than we’ve ever seen them."
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accounting for friction and
mass fill the forest with
laughter and collaboration.
The day goes without a hitch,
and just before getting on the
bus, a couple of teachers pull
aside our team and, with a
smile, express their gratitude.
They describe how wonderful
it was to watch their students
learning through doing,
sharing, “our students were
more inquisitive and invested
in their own learning today
than we've ever seen them.”
MOUNTAINFILM ON TOUR RETURNS!
4 showings: Asheville, Salisbury, & Winston-Salem
It is in these moments that,
despite challenges faced by
the education system,
Muddy Sneakers' impact
shines through.
As the organization celebrates
16 years, the question "how
can Muddy Sneakers best
support NC’s public schools?"
remains central.
Feedback from teachers,
principals, and
superintendents emphasizes
the support Muddy Sneakers
provides.
In the face of budget cuts and
the Covid-19 pandemic, the
program positively impacts
students' social and emotional
well-being. Aaron Greene,
Polk County Superintendent,
attests to its benefits, stating,
"[Muddy Sneakers] has
proven beneficial...especially
with student social/emotional
health and growth."
Teachers also acknowledge
the partnership's value.
Ophilia Pearson, a 5th grade
teacher at Hurley Elementary,
shares that Muddy Sneakers
brightens teachers' lives.
Recognizing the importance of
educators, Muddy Sneakers
collaborates with them,
offering expertise that
enhances students' learning.
Dr. Jason Gardner, former
Rowan-Salisbury Assistant
Superintendent, highlights
how the program improves
attendance rates and academic
performance in science.
As each season passes, Muddy
Sneakers’ ongoing reflections
on its purpose is guided by our
community. As
Superintendent Greene puts it,
“when students can connect
the abstract concepts and
ideas in the curriculum with
applications they have
experienced, true learning
occurs,” and for us, that is the
true Muddy Sneakers “magic.”
Throughout our last 16 years,
the primary theme of our work
has been ensuring a timely
connection to nature for each
generation, while ensuring we
harness our organizational
expertise and mission in
service of the current years’
needs within communities and
schools we serve.
Thank you for the ways you bring
Muddy Sneakers’ magic to life.
Build community with us at Mountainfilm on Tour!
Each year, Mountainfilm premieres in Telluride, Colorado and
then hits the road sharing the year's most inspiring short films
with communities worldwide.
NOVEMBER 16
SALISBURY
NOVEMBER 17
WINSTON-SALEM
NOVEMBER 18
ASHEVILLE
This is a great way to rekindle your spirit, stoke your outdoor
recreation plans, and introduce Muddy Sneakers’ work to new
friends.
For more ways to give, visit muddysneakers.org/waystogive.
Tickets on sale October 2 at muddysneakers.org

WNC OFFICE
P.O. Box 146
Brevard, NC 28712
828-862-5560
PIEDMONT OFFICE
P.O. Box 2151
Salisbury, NC 28144
704-209-4009
www.muddysneakers.org
#muddysneakersnc
SEEKING
VOLUNTEERS
Our volunteer program is
growing! Current opportunities
include:
VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR:
Recruit, coordinate, and empower
Muddy Sneakers' volunteer team.
PHOTOGRAPHER: Shadow and
document Muddy Sneakers
expeditions via photo and/or video.
CONNECT KIDS
TO NATURE
Become a role model
for future generations.
FLEXIBLE TIME
COMMITMENT
One hour or one year;
what works for you?
STATEWIDE
OPPORTUNITIES
Travel to new places or
stick close to home!
Please support our work!
Visit muddysneakers.org to
give a meaningful gift today.
Muddy Sneakers
at Home
Geology Rocks!
EVENT VOLUNTEER: Plan, set up,
clean up, and represent Muddy
Sneakers at festivals and events.
Email info@muddysneakers.org
to get involved.
Dig in to rocks & minerals
with this fun Scavenger Hunt!