FWISD Teacher Encourages New Paths, Journaling

Anyone who thinks creativity has gone out of teaching need only follow the footsteps of Kathy Cash for just one day – if they can find her, that is. Cash is a master naturalist with the Fort Worth ISD. She coordinates exploratory learning programs for the entire District, leading classes at Camp Carter and the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens. But she also teaches students that they don’t have to climb on a bus or hike for miles to explore the wonders of nature. They can always be found right outside the door, whether at home or at school.

One of the ways Cash drives home this lesson is journaling. This year, all students in the District received notebooks designed specifically for recording their observations in nature, collecting things they find and taking notes in class.

Cash believes strongly in inquiry-based learning, which gives students more choices in what they learn and how they learn it. Every school in the district is moving toward the method. Cash says it fits right in with her four rules for teaching:

• (1) Be safe.
• (2) Have fun.
• (3) Learn something.
• (4) Respect all living things.

Cash earned her undergraduate degree in education from the University of Oklahoma, her master’s degree in education at Texas Wesleyan University and a master naturalist certification through the University of North Texas. She’s won many career awards, including being named Fort Worth ISD elementary Teacher of the Year in 2007.

You can read more about how Cash and other Fort Worth ISD science teachers connect kids to nature at http://www.txwes.edu/communications/wesleyanmagazine.htm.

- FWISD -