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portraits

    »     AMARILLO ISD

over and over as outdoor education makes a connection between her 
fi ft h-graders and AISD’s mission to graduate students prepared for 
life and success beyond high school.
 “It is so diff erent when you teach 
it and then come out here and show them how it really connects in 
the real world. We’ll take a hike and go to the falls, and they can see 
the diff erent layers of rock as we talk about erosion and weathering. 
Th

 roughout the year, I can bring that back into the conversation 

and say, ‘Remember when we were at outdoor education…’”

Outdoor education is an opportunity to make personal 

connections, too. Along with studying pond life and fi shing, students 
hike, tie-dye t-shirts and take part in team building activities like a 
low ropes challenge. Th

 is is where they become learners and leaders, 

says D’Lynn. “Sometimes, with students who may not be as strong 
academically, you can really see the leadership come out in them. 
Th

 ey can really shine out here,” she says.

Aft er burgers from the grill, students head back to the city, the 

lessons of the day tucked away for future use, some of them more 
profound than these young students are able to realize just yet. “I’ve 
learned that you have to get into the soil and actually dig for what 
you want,” says Lanie. “You can’t just look at it.” 

This is where they become learners and 

leaders. Sometimes, with students who 
may not be as strong academically, you 
can really see the leadership come out in 
them. They can really shine out here,