So you want to work in professional youth development, science outreach or environmental education?

"As a formal educator I taught college, medical school, high school and middle school. Most of my teaching career was middle school environmental, life and physical sciences. The feedback and challenge from middle school students I found very rewarding. My major role of a teacher was to provide an environment to stimulate thought, discussion and exploration. I monitored the progress of a student’s learning throughout the year. There are certain responsibilities that are expected: develop weekly lesson plans and curricula, professional development workshops, student review meetings, parent/teacher conferences, student progress reports, report cards, chaperone events and field trips. My current employment as an informal educator for the New Jersey Forest Service at the Forest Resource Education Center is to provide a two hour outdoor program for pre-K to high school students. My major responsibility is to provide lessons that meet the needs of the teacher’s curriculum. My feedback is immediate. The student population and program can change everyday."
---Frances

*Madeline Fuchs Holzer

Useful Links

National Academies: Informal Education

Youth Work Central

Professional Youth Work Certificate