About

Wendy has extensive experience in education as a school director, consultant and teacher in both public and private settings. Her book, Lens on Outdoor Learning, co-authored with Ginny Sullivan and published by Redleaf Press, has just been released (October 2010). In their book, Wendy and Ginny document children's learning in the outdoors, particularly in the natural world, as it aligns with national early learning standards currently used by educators all across the country.

Wendy is co-developer and Program Director of Irvin Learning Farm, an inquiry-based, hands-on outdoor learning space for children of all ages sited on Triangle Land Conservancy's 269 acre Irvin Farm Preserve. Irvin Learning Farm's mission is to provide children, families and educators from diverse backgrounds with experiences that support curiosity and wonder and that promote an ongoing commitment to stewardship and a love of the outdoors.

Wendy co-founded Community Independent School in Pittsboro, North Carolina where she directed, taught, and trained teachers for 14 years. Wendy's work in education includes developing project-based curriculum, creating policies for sustainable classroom and school practices and organizational leadership.

Wendy is a member of the North Carolina Outdoor Learning Environments Alliance. NC-OLE's mission is to improve the quality of outdoor environments and experiences for children throughout North Carolina. Wendy serves on the Leadership Team of the Alliance and has also served on the Professional Development Committee supporting teacher education and practice in the field.

An accomplished photographer, Wendy is involved in numerous photo documentation projects. In addition to her current book, Lens on Outdoor Learning, a number of her photos of children, their experiences and their learning appear in articles and books, including A Place to Play (The National Institute for Play, 2008).

Wendy's experience as an educator and educational leader spans a broad range of age and ability levels, learning styles and content areas. Throughout her years in education, she has developed and modeled meaningful, innovative, integrated curriculum that engages children actively with their learning and teachers deeply with their teaching.