Early Childhood
JEDI Initiatives
Action
Join our team of members committed to supporting the JEDI initiatives at KAEE and for our community.
LEARNING
Community of Practice
Do you work in the outdoors? Or in the fields of environmental science, outdoor recreation, indoor and outdoor environmental education, or nature education? Do you work to connect people with nature and the outdoors?
Are you an artist? Park employee? Environmental scientist? Naturalist? Classroom teacher? Volunteer coordinator? Or someone simply looking to strengthen your work in the fields of equity and inclusion?
Then we invite YOU to join our new Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Community of Practice! This is a learning community working to foster and support practices of justice, equity, inclusion, and diversity in the outdoors and in environmental work. The JEDI CoP meets bi-monthly on the second Tuesday, 4 - 5:30 PM. Check the KAEE Calendar for our next meeting and RSVP!
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We do not have the answers to the countless questions about this important work. We are simply offering a space for anyone who is interested (and able to join us) in working to connect, grow, and learn by prioritizing practices of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in their work. We invite all to join us!
Book Club
Join us as we further the discussion around JEDI work through a book club! Our first meeting will be on July 20, 7 pm - 8 pm ET. Please RSVP here to join us online! We will continue to meet monthly on the third Thursday from 7 - 8 pm ET.
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The first book we'll be reading together is Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson. This book should be available in your local public library. It is also available for purchase at bookstores and online. Learn more about Caste>>
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If you have any questions, reach out to the book club co-facilitators listed below.
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Jennifer Beach, Kenton County Public Library, Jennifer.Beach@kentonlibrary.org
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Perry Thomas, Oldham County Conservation District, perry.thomas@kywater.org
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RESOURCES
ACTION
JEDI Action Team
KAEE's Strategic Plan includes a key strategy around early childhood education: Support early childhood schools and centers in implementing additional outdoor time and environmental education experiences. KAEE formed an Early Childhood Action Team with the purpose of helping us take action toward completing this strategy. If you are interested in joining this team, contact brittany@kaee.org.
Leadership Team
Co-Chair: Jennifer Beach, Kenton County Public Library
Co-Chair: Meg Gravil, Eastern Kentucky University
Ashley Hoffman, KAEE Executive Director
Brittany Wray, KAEE Deputy Director
Action Team Members
Jeanine Huss, Western Kentucky University
Laura Johnson, Thrive Forest School
Olivia Kaiser, Louisville Nature Center & Swallowtail Forest School
Tina Kraska, Red Oaks Forest School
Gus LaFontaine, The Nature Schools
Rachel Patton, Bluegrass Greensource
Mary Sciaraffa, Eastern Kentucky University
Vickie Stayton, Western Kentucky University
Claude Stephens, Bernheim Arboretum & Research Forest
Kim Tabler, Children at Play Network & Sacred Heart Preschool