Valley Journal
Valley Journal

This Week’s e-Edition

Current Events

Latest Headlines

What's New?

Send us your news items.

NOTE: All submissions are subject to our Submission Guidelines.

Announcement Forms

Use these forms to send us announcements.

Birth Announcement
Obituary

Pablo teacher wins award

Hey savvy news reader! Thanks for choosing local. You are now reading
1 of 3 free articles.



Subscribe now to stay in the know!

Already a subscriber? Login now

MISSOULA – Innovative techniques, determination and passion have landed Pablo elementary school teacher Carolyn Pardini the Montana Natural History Center’s Educator of the Year award. 

The award is given each year to an educator, group of teachers, school or other organization who goes above and beyond to integrate aspects of natural history into curriculum for children. 

Lisa Bickell, education director for the center, said she watched as Pardini enrolled in the Forest for Every Classroom program put on by the center. Bickell was impressed as Pardini navigated through the rigors of the yearlong endeavor, wrote outstanding curriculum, and overcame an initial bad experience with taking kids outside. 

“I was mostly impressed with her perseverance,” Bickell said. “It’s pretty easy to take a group of kids outside, (have) it not go well and just be done with it. I was impressed. She persevered. She kept getting better and better.” 

Bickell said the Educator of the Year award is one of three the center hands out each year. 

“The educator’s award is one where we have the privilege of working with a lot of great educators,” Bickell said. “Each year it’s a pretty long list of nominations. Her name just floated to the top as someone who has been doing some really outstanding work. We just want to appreciate the effort she put into her work.” 

Pablo Elementary Principal Ryan Fisher said Pardini’s passion for connecting children with the outdoors has had a visible impact on her students. He recalled a recent field trip to Swartz Lake where the kids came back deep in conversation about their adventure. 

“The impact on her students, at a basic level, is an appreciation and respect for nature,” Fisher said. “Education becomes much more relevant when a student is able to stand in a creek or explore fauna or examine a small creature. When this occurs, there is an elevated level of learning that takes place. Students appreciate this and look forward to these opportunities. As a result, students have left her class with a desire to continue their exploration of nature and science.” 

Pardini said she was shocked to receive the award after seeing so many people across the state taking innovative approaches to teaching natural history. Pardini is thankful to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and Salish Kootenai College for contributing resources so she can take her students outdoors. 

Pardini said she has been inspired by hearing oral history from tribal elders about the long-lasting impact of experiencing nature at a young age. 

“I have been fortunate to hear some of them tell stories about how they grew up with their families picking huckleberries or traveling to hunting camp,” Pardini said. “The things they learned during these times and the relationships they built remain crucial to who they are today. Taking children outdoors and learning about the natural history of our home validates these stories and builds new relationships to another generation. When children are outside and given the tools to deeply investigate the natural world they start to build relationships to another generation.” 

Pardini said she can see change in her students after taking them outside. She remembered one student who wasn’t particularly involved while at school, had few friends, and was restless in the classroom. 

“Then we went outside,” Pardini said. “The little guy knew every tree that had a bird’s nest in it, every log that might have beetles underneath, a spot in the woods where balsamroot was growing. He could scoop up a bug in his hands and gently hold it so that a more reticent child could get a look. We went back to the classroom and his status was changed. He became the go-to guy and valued friend. His school year was happier and more productive when we found out how talented he really was.” 

Pardini hopes getting outside plays into her kids’ futures. 

“SKC has a four-year hydrology program and a brand new wildlife biology program,” Pardini said. “Our students can grow up seeing themselves as scientists, working here, supporting their families, and making our world a better place.”

Sponsored by: