Instructor:
, Phone: E-mail: sandi@childsinspiration.org |
Instructor Level
| Certified |
Education
| Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education Professional certificate or license in Director Credentialing | |
| has received formal instruction in adult education or in the facilitation of learning for adults. |
Work Experience
| My Ongoing Story Turned Self-Niche Sandi Vincenti (she/they) and A Child’s Inspiration: Wildlife Discovery Garden and Ecostead exude: * Passion for quality education, children, families, and conservation * Knowledge and a focus on environmental and sustainability efforts * Talent, intelligence, creativity, and hard work * Drive, focus, and commitment to excellence. * Willingness to create ways to make a change * Mission-driven and passionate * Dedication to self-improvement and new challenges * Engagement with the public and local decision-makers. * Recognition for hands-on, multi-intelligence, inquiry-based, differentiated, and child-centered learning * An obsession with founding and being a founding member of numerous programs: ~ Community native gardens, ~ Environmental education programs, ~ Education committees, ~ Technology committees, ~ Sustainability teams, and ~ Animal training teams Founder and Nature Nerd Sandi Vincenti moved with her family from the Fishtown neighborhood of Philadelphia to Wentworth, New Hampshire, at the end of August 2022, beginning a whirlwind adventure to follow their dreams and passions. Leading up to that fateful move, Sandi had spent over 24 years teaching, directing, and advocating the essential values of early childhood, environmental education, biodiversity, permaculture, and self-sufficient practices. Sandi’s career journey began at the Philadelphia Zoo as their Conservation Coordinator: Children and Family Programs. More recently, Sandi was the Director of Early Childhood Education at the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education and Education Lead at Cedar Circle Farm and Education Center. Wanting to take these passions further in this time of growth and being inspired, Sandi proudly founded A Child’s Inspiration: Wildlife Discovery Garden and Ecostead, the Nature Heroes, and Philly Nature (phillynature.org), all free, community-based environmental education initiatives. In remaining a dedicated lifelong learner, Sandi’s journey also led her to pursue becoming a Master Naturalist, a Master Watershed Steward, a certified Grounded Kids instructor, and a Natural Resources Steward. Through it all, Sandi emphasizes a holistic approach to learning and growing that values the whole, unique individual and draws inspiration from the beautiful world around us, which is here for us all to appreciate and explore. Helping discover the beautiful pathways of these loves, Sandi has proudly worked and volunteered with various organizations as the past President of the Friends of Penn Treaty Park on the Delaware River, a member and frequent presenter at PAEE, and a board member of Arcadia Commons a green space advocacy organization. Working for over 24 years in the nonprofit field, Sandi is dedicated to children, staff, and families and is eager to embrace the hands-on aspects of running a vibrant program. Sandi relishes being an active educator and learner and commits to quality education that embraces the natural world as a classroom. As an eager, passionate environmental advocate, educator, early childhood advocate, consultant, director, and conservation/outdoor enthusiast, Sandi comes to you with open arms and a desire to lend knowledge, experience, hands, and heart toward fostering the best practices and progressive sustainability. Through innate curiosity and wonder, being inspired by young stewards of the environment, Sandi always looks forward to working alongside a team of dedicated individuals who share a love and belief in the healing and learning capacity of the natural world, community, family programming, and early childhood. Sandi believes in providing unique opportunities to harness the natural world as a teaching resource: inspiring wonder, independent learning, and critical thinking. As illustrated in the story above and below, Sandi believes in meeting the whole child's needs and understands that a child’s full potential – physical, social, emotional, and intellectual – is realized by exploring their environment, embracing their innate curiosity, and fostering their motivation to learn. Sandi’s approach to education and the natural world inspires respect and stewardship for the natural world. In encouraging exploration, individuals become intimately familiar with their natural environment; experience and knowledge strengthen their identity and confidence and develop the capacity to problem-solve and discover solutions specific to home communities. Sandi encourages individuals to discover what they love about the forest, fields, rivers, lakes, and ponds. Recurring experiences in nature during childhood improve their well-being, spark creativity, and help them envision their place in the world. Sandi embraces the natural landscape as an educational tool to build an emotional connection between individuals and the earth. Children become keen observers of their surroundings; each natural shift prompts children to question, search, observe, and hypothesize, leading them down multiple lines of inquiry. Sandi looks forward to the opportunity to help expand an innovative, growing program, create relationships with other like-minded institutions, and work with staff and a Board of Directors to develop a path-breaking outreach and educational approach. Sandi continues to grow in prioritizing frequent communication with and among children, families, educators, staff, and individuals to generate loyal and long-lasting relationships. Sandi embraces the challenges of expanding programming, ensuring positive outcome assessments in all domains, and maintaining a dedication to nature-based learning and curriculum. Sandi embraces a leadership approach that provides an atmosphere free of bias where children, families, educators, staff, and individuals can achieve their maximum potential. Sandi is committed to nature-based education, which includes peace, social justice, and equity. Sandi embraces a passion for the outdoors and a desire to share enthusiastically with children, families, educators, staff, and individuals, regardless of the weather. With a flexible and can-do attitude to face everyday challenges with patience, determination, grace, and good humor, modeling positive behavior for individuals and staff, Sandi is passionate about protecting the environment, advocating for clean water and healthy habitats, restoring ecosystems, connecting more people to their native lands and rivers, and ensuring environmental justice. Sandi believes in impacting those who live in or visit their watersheds through fun and inspiring hands-on work and pursuing opportunities with respect for justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging. Sandi believes that watersheds can serve as lessons and play, following the winding creek to visualize the watershed and learn about the Indigenous peoples who lived along its banks – with the natural world at their fingertips, children and individuals find endless exploration. By immersing children and individuals in the studies of the natural world, Sandi believes that their art, songs, and games reflect that focus. Sandi encourages children and individuals to explore nature-derived materials for their compositions, collecting colorful leaves, fallen pine cones, or twigs for multimedia projects – spontaneous inspiration from the natural world around them. Sandi believes in supporting other organizations and individuals in their local communities to help them make things better through the enjoyment of being a voice for watersheds and collaborating with partners to protect, advocate, educate, and engage communities. Sandi must unite people to prevent pollution, improve habitat, and promote the enjoyment of our local lands and waterways. Be assured that Sandi’s work always protects children and our shared environment. As an advocate for science-based environmental practices, Sandi seeks to engage communities to get involved in protecting nature. Sandi relishes this serendipitous opportunity and their new home on 10 acres with beautiful forests, meadows, and wetlands in Wentworth, New Hampshire, restarting their nonprofit passion for vital and protected habitats. Sandi looks forward to rebuilding and restoring native plants, their bird observatory, habitats, bee and bat houses, ponds, and more that gave so much in our previous iteration and our mission to care for critical green space for generations to enjoy and learn. Sandi’s passion, synonymous with their name, A Child's Inspiration: Wildlife Discovery Garden and Ecostead, benefits all ages and demographics in-person (locally and regionally) and remotely. We have received partnerships and support from many organizations and individuals. In addition to our onsite work (facebook.com/ChildsInspiration, youtube.com/user/SandiJeanne81), outreach (facebook.com/theNatureHeroes), and PhillyNature.org, in our over fourteen years, we have received a fantastic amount of support and recognition, not limited to the below: Cornell University has approached us to re-introduce the Endangered Nine-Spotted Ladybug into the wild. This point of pride is in addition to the Garden's existing Native Bee Share and propagation/breeding program, Honeybee Conservancy grant for our Native Bees, Monarch Waystation, Audubon Certified Bird Habitat & Sanctuary, National Wildlife Certified Sanctuary & Garden Status, National Wildlife Advanced Certified Bird Sanctuary, Watershed Certified Property, Pollinator Partnership, and S.H.A.R.E. site. We have worked with or nurtured partnerships with The Franklin Institute and CUSP, Philadelphia Water and The WaterWorks, TreePhilly, the WINS program through the Academy of Natural Sciences, the Fairmount Park Conservancy, and Connor Barwin (he even planted one of the nine trees throughout the Garden). And with Pennsylvania Master Naturalist, Master Watershed Stewards, Smith Playground, FirstUp, P.A.E.E., By My Side Parenting, Arcadia Commons, the Philadelphia City Nature Challenge, Philadelphia City Rowing, and Pa and NH's only Small Axe Peppers grower. The Garden receives minimal outside support due to little overhead. We have received sponsorships from P.T.S.S.D. (the Penn Treaty Special Services District through the Rivers Casino) under an umbrella fiscal sponsor (By My Side Parenting) before receiving our 501. We are a fiscal sponsor and have received sponsorships for our work alongside the Philadelphia City Nature Challenge. We have also received a donation of Native Bee Houses through the Honey Bee Conservancy. The Garden has minimal expenses outside of minor maintenance and materials costs. However, we utilize repurposing and in-kind as much as possible, including a bird observatory, ponds, aquaponics, vertical gardening, a greenhouse, and more. We provide the supplies personally through creative reuse, in-kind, small sponsorships, and micro-grants, keeping the space green and available. Our community and beyond have been immensely supportive; they have participated in our programming and outreach, donated, advocated for, and generally favored and supported the Garden, green space, and ecological benefits. We could not have done it without the community's generous support and celebration. We are rebuilding the Garden in Wentworth, New Hampshire, to continue teaching and protecting nature and being a resource for our community. We have maintained, improved, and provided services in the Garden for over thirteen years. We have always done everything possible to preserve nature. The Garden is important, no matter where: Our Mission is to provide a safe, nurturing, and inspiring environment that supports the whole child and their growth. * We Believe in learning holistically through relationships with people & wildlife in nature. * We Empower children through creativity & discovery to think for themselves while considering the environment & others. * We Envision curious, open-ended, meaningful, & engaging STEAM-powered problem-solving & exploration. * We Strive for a natural environment that immerses us in joyful experiences. * We Value and Emphasize a multicultural, JEDIA-focused, and age-appropriate approach that respects and honors all children as individuals, all families as unique, and, of course, all of nature. Understanding that a child's work is discovery, inquiry, & play, we look for a balance of independence & community building. We fully commit to a positive & supportive learning environment that is inclusive, open to all learners, & sensitive to cultural diversity. https://www.phillynature.org https://starnewsphilly.com/2021/03/11/a-site-grows-in-philly Social: https://www.youtube.com/user/SandiJeanne81 https://www.facebook.com/thenatureheroes https://www.facebook.com/childsinspiration Media: https://www.gridphilly.com/blog-home/2019/10/22/local-environmental-educator-builds-wildlife-oasis-in-Fishtown https://www.thegreencities.com/philly/meet-the-sustainphl-nominees-neighborhood-champion-2 https://www.phillymag.com/business/2018/06/14/sustainphl-awards-nominees-green-philly https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/a-child-s-inspiration-wildlife-discovery-garden https://spiritnews.org/articles/nature-heroes-fishtown-mom-starts-a-wildlife-discovery-garden-in-her-front-yard https://starnewsphilly.com/2017/06/14/river-wards-greens-spaces-in-the-spotlight http://www.beewithme.net/listings/1846-50-sepviva-street-philadelphia-a-childs-inspiration-wildlife-discovery-garden https://www.flickr.com/photos/treephilly/sets/72157668219707555/with/26328984003 https://treephilly.org/about/marketing/phillytreetrek https://spiritnews.org/articles/phillytreetrek-eagles-player-connor-barwin-helps-fishtown-family-plant-tree https://issuu.com/spirit-news/docs/456_rive_20160511_16_c_full A Child's Inspiration: Wildlife Discovery Garden and Ecostead is a resource for environmental education programming. We encourage love and respect for our environment and the natural world. We work towards a commitment to conserving our environment through the discovery and engagement of nature heroes as a natural resource preserved and maintained as an educational and environmental demonstration garden/site. We work to pass along the love of learning and conservation of our shared environment and the natural world in our community. "Every child should have mud pies. They should have grasshoppers, water bugs, tadpoles, frogs, and mud turtles. They should have elderberries, wild strawberries, acorns, and chestnuts. They should have trees to climb and brooks to wade. They should have water lilies. They should have woodchucks, bats, bees, and butterflies. They should have hayfields, pine cones, rolling rocks, and sand. They should have snakes. They should have huckleberries. They should have hornets; any child missing these misses the best learning." "One has that magical capacity to see the land as an animal does; to experience the sky from the perspective of a flower or a bee; to know a hundred different smells of mud and listen consciously to the soughing of the trees." We believe that regular connections with the natural world encourage children to develop: * Respect for local cultures and climates and as part of nature * Feelings of unity, peace, and well-being as global citizens We believe it is essential for children to: * Experience respect as competent, powerful learners and risk-takers with a voice in what they create and learn through nature * Be supported in developing life skills through holistic nature-based learning We believe it is vital for families to: * Understand the value of children's daily connections with nature * Support children's appropriate risk-taking and exploration of nature * Enjoy regular experiences in the natural world with their children We believe educators must: * Allow enough time each day for children to explore freely in nature-based spaces * Support children's appropriate risk-taking and adventurous play in nature * Provide children with opportunities for silence and contemplation in natural settings * Encourage children's development of a sense of wonder and environmental stewardship At A Child's Inspiration: Wildlife Discovery Garden and Ecostead, we strive to create learning experiences that are enriching, innovative, meaningful, and engaging. Our partner network of green spaces/gardens/wildlife sanctuaries, including our very own Discovery Garden, and green spaces/gardens/nature centers located in urban and suburban communities around the Greater Philadelphia area and now in Wentworth, New Hampshire, enable us to develop, evaluate, and sustain nature-based education and early childhood education programs in all settings and communities. Sandi is humbled to be directly involved in many rewarding, diverse, and creative capacities. Sandi looks forward to learning and growing by fostering an environment that invites sharing varied ideas and interests, where we can grow together to meet our fullest potential. Sandi looks forward to every new experience and challenge, an ongoing learning journey, and everything as connected. Sandi would be honored to discuss opportunities to progress and grow in our new homestead and live out their conservation and educational dreams. “I recommend Sandi without reservation. As a building principal for over 20 years, I feel confident that Sandi ranks in the top 5% of leaders and educators I have seen in my career. Please do not hesitate to contact me at jkircher@comcast.net if you have further questions.” ~Joseph C. Kircher, Elementary School Principal. “Miss Vincenti is an asset to any learning environment.” ~Mrs. Tracy Dooley, Fourth Grade Teacher. “Ms. Sandi’s energy and enthusiasm wear off on those in her company, and she creates educational memories for those that she engages as she goes. ~Siobhan Donnelly, Strong Roots Organic Farm Owner, Educator, and former boss. “Sandi is naturally talented with strong leadership skills.” ~Kristen Waldron, Director of Conservation Education and Integration, Philadelphia Zoo. “Sandi has opened the children’s horizons to nature and our environment in a playful and curiosity-invoking style, demonstrating how we can all engage in and become stewards of our natural world.” ~Jeff Carpenter, President, Arcadia Commons. Professional Profile: * Inside is an ignited passion for empowering diverse children, families, educators, and individuals through learning experiences gained through a unique combination of directorial skills, formal classroom, and informal teaching experiences united with educational experiences gained through leadership, coaching, and experiences at The Philadelphia Zoo and Environmental Education organizations. Dedicated to vibrant and enthusiastic educational methods as a means of nurturing a lifelong love of knowledge, caring, and stewardship * Inspired by the realization of a lifelong dream of leading others towards change, advocacy, and best practice in the field(s) of education and the environment/natural world * Award-winning customer service with rave reviews from families, staff, colleagues, and clientele * Emphasizes a holistic approach to learning that values the whole, unique child -- as everything connects, every new experience and every new challenge is a learning journey Bachelor of Science with Professional Certification in Elementary and Early Childhood Education and Development and Minors in Music Education and English Gwynedd-Mercy College, Gwynedd Valley, Pa ‘06 Graduate for School Leadership and Director’s Credentialing in ECE from Arcadia University Professionally Relevant: Founder/ED, A Child’s Inspiration: Wildlife Discovery Garden and Ecostead, July ‘10 to Present Founder/Director, The Nature Heroes (Environmental Education Outreach Program), April ’15 to Present Co-Founder, Philly Nature (phillynature.org), October ’20 to Present Master Naturalist, August ’15 to Present Master Watershed Steward, February ’21 to Present Natural Resources Steward, September ‘23 to Present Education Lead, Cedar Circle Farm and Education Center, April ‘23 to present Develops, manages, and facilitates agriculturally and ecologically focused youth, family, and adult education programs, strongly focusing on developing and delivering lessons and activities for farm programs. Develops and implements new and existing programs (homeschool classes, preschool classes, family programs, teen cooking classes, summer camp, adult workshops, etc.) Creates seasonal program curriculum, including lesson plans and educational materials for programs, and plans and maintains the Education Garden throughout the season. Serves as Camp Director, trains education staff before and throughout youth programs, and manages the Teen Support program. Supervises and supports education staff and volunteers to ensure programs run smoothly, providing a positive experience for parents or caretakers of children participating in youth programs. Collaborates with other departments at Cedar Circle Farm to lead or coordinate educational community programs. Hosts fundraisers and events and represents Cedar Circle Farm & Education Center at recruitment events, camp fairs, etc. Director of Early Childhood Education, The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, July ‘17 to June ‘20: Guides the growth and development of the center’s early childhood program, including Nature Preschool, kindergarten, and other programs for young children. Manages and motivates a staff of full-time, part-time, and seasonal members of the Preschool and kindergarten; evaluating the center’s programming to adjust the mix for continued success is crucial in marketing efforts to attract new audiences and manage communication and positive relationships among staff, families, and children. Develops and manages the department’s budget and ensures compliance with all regulating bodies, including but not limited to the Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Operations/Programs Director, By My Side Neighborhood Parenting, November ‘15 to May ‘17: Supports and strengthens family and community life by promoting understanding and resilience within families and communities through positive social interaction, education, networking, and community building across economic, generational, and cultural lines. Provide all families a warm and welcoming environment to enhance their children's lives through age-appropriate play while providing a welcoming community where families can connect and expand their parenting village. Sandi focuses on delivering quality programming and resources for children and those who care for them. Executive Director, PSP Learning Program, August ‘11 to November ‘15: Performs all vital components to maintain a thriving, functional, high-quality child care center. Responsible for providing impeccable leadership in the day-to-day operations of the program. Manages all aspects of the program to include, but not limited to, legal/fiscal components, staff management/human relations, educational leadership and programming, operations/facilities, marketing/public relations, leadership/advocacy, and will serve as a model for family support through children and family-centered practices—board ex-officio. Lead and Mentor Educator, Children’s Village, October ‘08 to August ‘11: Maintains a safe, engaging, vibrant, and child-centered organization well within the standards of NAEYC, OCDEL/Pa Keys/Keystone Stars/ERS, DHS, Head Start, Pre-K Counts, and ECELS, to name a few. Works extensively with PNC’s Grow Up Great program and Head Start on Science through the Franklin Institute and the Academy of Natural Sciences and is an ambassador and resource to staff—a founding member of the Education Committee, Technology Committee, and Green Team. Sandi adds a spark of music, curiosity, singing, silliness, and science exploration to those around her. Conservation and Education Coordinator, the Zoological Society of Philadelphia, May ‘00 to October ‘08: Performs and directs all vital functions of Children and Family Programs and Zoo Camp, including but not limited to designing, developing, and presenting curriculum for zoo camps, early childhood series and daily programming, family programming, home school programming, reader's club programming, ECP programming, and teachers’ workshops. Gains respect for her efficacious ability to hire, train, manage, direct, and evaluate passionate, productive staff and volunteers. Points of Pride: Creator and author of the ever-popular “Head, Thorax, Abdomen” song, dance, and lesson, awarded and recognized by Governor Ed Rendell and Mayor Michael Nutter for service and participation with the WorkReady Philadelphia Teen Program and integration at the Philadelphia Zoo and noted for her dedicated work with teens and under-resourced youth, teaching successful parenting techniques using animals such as chickens and crocodiles through the ECP Program. Sandi worked one-on-one with Steve Martin and Animal Encounters, Inc. on the development and inception of the Animal Training Team at the Philadelphia Zoo and for the University of Pennsylvania on an NSF-sponsored SPARK grant project to bring STEM education to under-resourced youth. Certified Project Wild. Certified Growing Up WILD! Project Learning Tree Facilitator. Project WET facilitator. Board member Friends of Penn Treaty Park and Arcadia Commons. | ||||||||||
| More than 15 years instructing adults. | ||||||||||
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Additional Information
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| Child Development (Early Childhood) Families and Communities (Early Childhood) Teaching and Learning (Early Childhood) Healthy and Safe Environments (Early Childhood) Professionalism and Program Organization (Early Childhood) Child and Youth Development (Afterschool) Curriculum and Learning Environment (Afterschool) Families and Communities (Afterschool) Healthy and Safe Environments (Afterschool) Professionalism and Program Organization (Afterschool) Observing and Assessing (Early Childhood) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Specific Curricula: | Recognized Community of Practice Facilitator | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Training Topics | How Children Develop Influences on Development Temperament Resiliency Physical and Intellectual Development Social/Emotional Development Addressing Challenges Supportive Interactions Building Relationships with Families Family Systems Respectful Communication Parenting Parent Involvement Community Resources Networking and Collaborations Home Visiting Indoor Learning Environments Outdoor Learning Environments Observation/Assessment Curriculum Development Early Literacy Math Science Health and Safety Medication Administration Physical Activity Ethical Conduct Professional Growth Working with Staff and Colleagues How Adults Learn Regulatory Compliance Program Quality/Accreditation Program Assessment and Evaluation Legal and Financial Issues Program Administration Leadership | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sandi embraces a leadership approach that provides an atmosphere free of bias where children, families, educators, staff, and individuals can achieve their maximum potential. Sandi is committed to nature-based education, which includes peace, social justice, and equity. Sandi embraces a passion for the outdoors and a desire to share enthusiastically with children, families, educators, staff, and individuals, regardless of the weather. With a flexible and can-do attitude to face everyday challenges with patience, determination, grace, and good humor, modeling positive behavior for individuals and staff, Sandi is passionate about early childhood education, development, and advocacy, protecting the environment, advocating for clean water and healthy habitats, restoring ecosystems, connecting more people to their native lands and rivers, and ensuring environmental justice. * We Believe in learning holistically through relationships with people & wildlife in nature. * We Empower through creativity & discovery to think for themselves while considering the environment & others. * We Envision curious, open-ended, meaningful, & engaging STEAM-powered problem-solving & exploration. * We Strive for a natural environment that immerses us in joyful experiences. * We Value and Emphasize a multicultural, JEDIA-focused, and age-appropriate approach that respects and honors all individuals, all families as unique, and, of course, all of nature. * Understanding that work is discovery, inquiry, & play, we look for a balance of independence & community building. We fully commit to a positive & supportive learning environment that is inclusive, open to all learners, & sensitive to cultural diversity. We believe educators must: * Allow enough time each day for children to explore freely in nature-based spaces Support children's appropriate risk-taking and adventurous play in nature * Provide children with opportunities for silence and contemplation in natural settings * Encourage children's development of a sense of wonder and environmental stewardship |
Logistics
| *Inquire with Instructor |