Nature-based early childhood education, outdoor play ideas, and inspiration for families and teachers raising Nature Heroes. We 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 and commitment to excellence.
* Willingness to create ways to make a change.
* Inspiration; 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 has spent the last 23 years teaching, directing, and advocating for the importance of early childhood, environmental education, nature, and animals. Sandi has proudly worked and volunteered with various organizations, helping discover the beautiful pathways of these loves. Sandi's journey began at the Philadelphia Zoo as the Conservation Coordinator, Children, and Family Programs, followed by a push forward, carving paths in a few varied learning, teaching, directing, and board roles. Sandi is proudly the founder of a nonprofit and certified natural wildlife habitat known as A Child's Inspiration: Wildlife Discovery Garden and Homestead (you will learn more about it below), the Nature Heroes, and Philly Nature (phillynature.org), my free community environmental education initiatives, and in remaining a passionate life-long-learner, a Master Naturalist, a Master Watershed Steward, a certified Grounded Kids instructor, past President of the Friends of Penn Treaty Park on the Delaware River, member and frequent presenter at P.A.E.E., and ex-situ board member of Arcadia Commons, green space advocacy org. Through it all, Sandi emphasizes a holistic approach to learning that values the whole, unique individual and draws my inspiration from the beautiful world around us, which is here for us all to discover. Working for over 23 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 the chance to be an active educator and learner. Sandi 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 looks forward to joining a team of dedicated individuals who share the 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. Sandi's approach to education and the natural world inspires respect and stewardship for the natural world. As illustrated in the story above and below, Sandi believes in meeting the whole child's needs and understanding 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. In encouraging exploration, children become intimately familiar with their natural habitat; with experience and knowledge, children strengthen their identity and confidence and develop the capacity to problem-solve and discover solutions specific to home communities. Sandi embraces the natural landscape as an educational tool to build an emotional connection between children and the earth. Sandi encourages children to discover what they love about the forest, fields, rivers, and ponds – recurring experiences in nature during childhood improve a child's well-being, spark creativity, and help them envision their place in the world. 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 expand an innovative, growing program, create relationships with other like-minded organizations, and work with a Board of Directors to develop a path-breaking educational approach. Sandi continues to grow in prioritizing frequent communication with and among children, families, individuals, and educators to generate loyal and long-lasting relationships. Sandi is passionate about protecting the environment, advocating for clean water and healthy habitats, restoring ecosystems, getting more people connected to their native lands and rivers, and ensuring environmental justice. Sandi embraces a leadership approach that provides an atmosphere free of bias where children, families, individuals, and educators can achieve their maximum potential. A commitment to Nature-based education, including peace, social justice, and equity. A passion for the outdoors and a desire to share enthusiastically with staff and children, regardless of the weather. A flexible and can-do attitude to face everyday challenges with patience, determination, grace, and good humor, modeling positive behavior for children, families, individuals, and educators. 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 diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. 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. As an advocate for science-based environmental practices, Sandi seeks to engage communities to get involved in protecting nature. Sandi believes that bringing people together to prevent pollution, improve habitat, and promote the enjoyment of our local lands and waterways is a must. Be assured that Sandi's work always protects children and our shared environment. With the natural world at their fingertips, children find endless exploration. By immersing children in the studies of the natural world, their artwork, songs, and games reflect that focus. They are encouraged to explore nature-derived art materials, collecting colorful leaves, fallen pine cones, or twigs for multimedia projects. Their nature journals fill with sketches or drawings of their surroundings – spontaneous inspiration from the natural world around them. 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. Sandi dreams about this fortunate opportunity, growing our new home on 10 acres with a beautiful wetland, brook, waterfall, forests, fields, and meadows in Wentworth, New Hampshire, and reenvisioning a nonprofit passion for vital and protected habitats. Sandi looks forward to rebuilding and restoring native plants, the bird observatory, habitats, bee and bat houses, ponds, and more that gave so much in our mission to care for critical green space for generations to enjoy and learn. Sandi's passion, A Child's Inspiration: Wildlife Discovery Garden and Homestead, 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 twelve 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, and Sanctuary, National Wildlife Certified Sanctuary and Garden Status, National Wildlife Advanced Certified Bird Sanctuary, Watershed Certified Property, Pollinator Partnership, and S.H.A.R.E. 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'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 have acted as a fiscal sponsor and 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 any of it without the community's generous support and celebration. We are committed to teaching, protecting nature, and being a resource for our community. We have maintained, improved, and provided services in the Garden for twelve years. We have always done everything that we could to preserve nature. The Garden is important, no matter where:
Our mission is to provide a safe, nurturing, & inspiring environment supporting the whole child and their growth. We believe that learning happens 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 & Emphasize a multicultural, JEDI-focused, and age-appropriate approach that respects and honors All children as individuals, All families as unique, & 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, 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 Garden 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. 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, rocks to roll, and sand. They should have snakes. They should have huckleberries. They should have hornets, and 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 the following:
* 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, we strive to create learning experiences that are enriching, innovative, meaningful, and engaging. Our partner network of green spaces/gardens/wildlife sanctuaries, including our own Discovery Garden, and green spaces/gardens/nature centers enable us to develop, evaluate, and sustain nature-based education and early childhood education programs in all settings and communities. Sandi is privileged to have been 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 as an ongoing learning journey. Sandi would be honored to discuss ideas and 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."
~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
7th & 8th Grade Teacher
"I believe in high-quality education, childcare, and conservation. My ability to motivate staff and students and share a love of learning fosters a successful and dynamic work environment. I welcome the opportunity to share my experiences and talents as a skilled, loving, and devoted Leader/Educator."
~*Sandi Vincenti
Environmental, Early Childhood Leader & Advocate for Best Practice
"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. Sandi has an ignited passion for giving diversified, empowered children, staff, and families diversified, empowered learning experiences 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.
* Dedicated to vibrant and joyful educational methods to nurture 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.
* Sandi has award-winning customer service with rave reviews from families, staff, colleagues, and clientele.
* Sandi always emphasizes a holistic approach to learning that values the whole, unique child, and -- Sandi believes every new experience and challenge is a learning journey as everything always connects. 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 P.A. Director's Credentialing in E.C.E. from Arcadia University
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, Develops and manages the department's budget and ensures compliance with all regulating bodies including but not limited to the Department of Human Services (D.H.S.) and the Pennsylvania Department of Education. 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. Founder/E.D., A Child's Inspiration: Wildlife Discovery Garden, July '10 to Present
Founder/Director, The Nature Heroes (Environmental Education 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
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 with a warm and welcoming environment to enhance their children's lives through age-appropriate play while simultaneously 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 Early 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 Educator, Children's Village, October '08 to August '11:
Maintains a safe, engaging, vibrant, and child-centered organization well within the standards of organizations such as N.A.E.Y.C., O.C.D.E.L./Pa Keys/Keystone Stars/E.R.S., D.H.S., Head Start, Pre-K Counts, and E.C.E.L.S., to name a few. Works extensively with P.N.C.'s Grow Up Great program and Head Start on Science through the Franklin Institute and the Academy of Natural Sciences and acts as 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 Philadelphia Zoo, 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 at-risk youth, teaching successful parenting techniques using animals such as chickens and crocodiles through the ECP Program. Worked for the University of Pennsylvania on an NSF-sponsored SPARK grant project to bring S.T.E.M. education to disadvantaged youth. 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. Certified Project Wild. Certified Growing Up WILD! Project Learning Tree Facilitator. Project W.E.T. facilitator. Board member Friends of Penn Treaty Park and Arcadia Commons.
