Cody Ewert
Middlesex Elementary,
Carlisle PA
2015 TTEC Cohort
In May, 2015, I found myself sitting in
the Shenandoah National Park (a place that I have dreamed to spend time as a
hiker, without the need to hang my hammock there for fear of the higher than
normal frequency of black bears). I felt
completely vulnerable, taking an educational and professional risk by signing
up for the TTEC program. Were my
colleagues back at school going to view this as a joke? Would I be taken seriously for seeking ways
to combine my passion for the outdoors with my passion for educating our
youth? Would I be able to offer anything
to my TTEC colleagues that would be of any relevance to them after our time of
collaboration? Would they be able to
help me clear my foggy mind and help to unravel the mess of knots that were my
ideas and aspirations for getting my students, somehow, outdoors in their
learning experience when with me in 5th grade? I was completely unsure of what would become,
but was excited to take a risk. So, I
put faith in the power of community.
I
had embarked on a journey of discovery and empowerment. I was unaware at the time of future
responsibilities and unexpected treasures.
I was at the mercy of our agenda during that spring workshop at the
Smithsonian Mason School of Conservation in Virginia. This green facility was absolutely
inspiring! Walking from our classroom to
my bedroom and then again to the dining facility, I was trying to take it all
in. I wanted to soak up this experience
to get as much out of it as possible. I
noticed how the weeds were left in the flower beds and the plants were native
and naturally planted. The construction
of different aspects of the buildings got me thinking about things like rain
barrels and native gardens at our school. 
I was familiar with the Leave No Trace
concept through awareness of hiking responsibility, but I came to understand
they actually had their act together with lessons and activities for children
to learn the ideas behind conservation. I had no idea that these ideas were already
organized and planned. They just need a
medium for presenting them to the future ambassadors of our environment. This weekend, I also first met Karen Lutz
and Marian Orlovsky. Karen and Marian
work for the AT Conservancy out of the office in Boiling Springs, PA, about 4
miles from my school. What!? Karen runs the mid-regional section of
the AT?! Marian also graduated from
Cumberland Valley School District, where I currently work? This is a small world…what a fantastic
resource they could be! I felt more than
lucky at this point. The dominos just
kept falling into place. 
After this weekend of renewed
inspiration, instruction, collaborative inspiration, and community support,
Tyler Pierce and I returned to Middlesex Elementary ready to make a difference
and enact change. We invited our school
community to come out on a Saturday before Memorial Day to “fix-up” our Nature
Trail on the school property. Our 600
yard trail was established in 2000-2001, but was not regularly used or maintained
by anyone. It was overrun with poison
ivy and impassible in spots. In
2006-2007, an Eagle Scout worked to line it with mulch and complete a bridge
system for the stream bed in several spots.
After the initial upkeep, the trail was once again in disarray. Tyler and I decided it was time to make a
formal outdoor classroom and provide our teachers with resources to help them seek
opportunities for bringing students outside for instruction. 
The overwhelming pride I felt and
recognition of the power of community served as a moment in my teaching career
that I will constantly strive to repeat.
“The best way to
find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” —Mahatma Gandhi
 |
This is our completed educational space
for students.
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