What Qualifies Me to Be Your Coach?

As I reflect on “how I know what I know,” I am drawn to three significant and intertwined threads of education, training and experience that qualify me to guide other people on the difficult path of change.

First:  I have a Master’s degree from Virginia Tech in Educational Psychology.  I have thought and studied on the history, philosophy and practice of education and human learning for about 25 years.  Understanding how people learn and change and grow is my primary passion in life.

intentional community for five years. Also,

I have had the opportunity to learn about living in connected ways from traditional and native cultures.  I am certain that the “old ways” have much to teach those of us who would successfully adapt to the “new ways” that we are making.

Finally: for the last 16 years, I have been studying and teaching nature, environmental awareness and animal tracking.  These are very basic techniques or “core routines” of sensory engagement, mindfulness, knowledge of place, and gratitude, among others.  It turns out these are very powerful tools to help us understand ourselves and each other.  Year after year, I have been witness to powerful transformations and healing through these learning strategies.