How Tina Ramsey Makes Learning Come Alive

Bringing Learning to Life Outdoors

When Tina Ramsey’s third graders at Chesterfield School study birds, they don’t just read about them — they become bird experts. They track migration patterns, study nesting behavior, build birdhouses, collect data, and fill their classrooms with colorful research posters and original artwork. It’s all part of a rich, hands-on exploration of the natural world that has become a hallmark of Tina’s teaching.

Through the Harris Center’s work with more than 3,000 students in over 35 local schools each year, teacher-naturalist John Benjamin visited Tina’s class regularly, bringing mounted birds, nests, and feathers for students to observe and sketch. “It was always clear from the students’ authentic engagement, thoughtful questions, and lively discussions how their previous work in Tina’s classroom provided them with a meaningful background and context for our Harris Center lessons,” says John.

This fall at the Harris Center’s Annual Meeting, we honored Tina as the 2025 Educator of the Year, recognizing her creativity, dedication, and deep commitment to outdoor learning.

A Classroom Without Walls — and Full of Possibility

For Tina, outdoor learning is not a bonus — it’s essential. She takes her students into the fields and forests around Chesterfield School, where math, literacy, science, and creativity gain real-world relevance. When winter winds made outdoor lessons daunting, Tina rallied the community to bring sewing machines into school so students could make their own neck gaiters. She coordinated volunteers to help build nesting boxes for bluebirds and owls on school grounds — ensuring wildlife had a home there, too. “When Tina sets a goal,” says John, “she really goes for it!”

Championing the Value of Real Science

In her acceptance speech, Tina addressed a nationwide trend that troubles many educators: “You may not realize this,” she said, “but for the past several years, messaging to teachers has included, ‘Just focus on reading and math; don’t worry about teaching the content areas.’ This is concerning to me for several reasons.”

What followed was a powerful, heartfelt defense of science and outdoor learning. Tina reminded the audience that “science is not just content; it is a great deal more than a discrete set of facts about how our world works,” emphasizing that it is a process for drawing “justifiable and reliable conclusions” — a skill set she believes we “cannot afford to let a generation grow up without.” She spoke about how “giving children the opportunity to experience the natural world motivates and inspires their curiosity and drive to learn,” noting that this appreciation often ripples outward to their families.

“So many children are spending their free time on devices that it behooves schools to compensate by getting them outside.”

Outdoor learning, she said, also strengthens academic growth: “Getting children outside to learn about their world puts those math and literacy skills to work in significant ways. Integration of subject areas adds meaning and value everywhere, including in the arts!” Citing research on reading comprehension, she underscored that “knowledge of topic has a much bigger impact…than general reading ability,” making it essential for educators to build rich, varied knowledge through experience.

And she highlighted the wellness benefits of nature as well. “Being outside gives children a much needed opportunity to move. So many children are spending their free time on devices that it behooves schools to compensate by getting them outside. It teaches children how to be healthy adults, balancing technology with time outside and movement.”

At this year’s annual meeting, Tina shared photos and materials from her various classroom projects. (photo © Ben Conant)

Inspiring a Community of Educators

“Our principal, Sharyn D’Eon, (pictured) has been instrumental by regularly bringing in the Harris Center and Antioch University to provide amazing learning experiences for both our students and staff,” said Tina.

Tina’s influence stretches far beyond her classroom walls. She has shared her expertise in Harris Center teacher workshops, summer institutes, and online professional development, helping countless educators discover practical, joyful ways to bring outdoor learning to their students.

Though she is now in a new role as a reading specialist, John Benjamin is confident that her creativity and passion will shine just as brightly: “Tina has been an inspiration to her fellow educators, myself included.”

A Well-Deserved Honor

The Harris Center is proud to recognize Tina Ramsey as the 2025 Educator of the Year — not only for her innovative teaching, but for her unwavering belief in what children can do when they’re given space, support, and the natural world as their classroom.

If you’d like to support the Harris Center’s work with students and educators, make a donation today.