I guess it’s been awhile since I’ve mentioned all the things that make me up- not everybody knows me as well as I know me. ;) Outside School is my life’s work, my contribution to society and the Earth. But I’m not “just” a teacher, and you ought to know about all of me!

-First and foremost, I was born and raised in Northern California and have been in love with the beauty of this place as long as I can remember. Everything I do is informed by math and science. I moved to Berkeley as soon as I turned 18 and met my future husband right away- I was booking shows and he was in a band. We’ve been doing this life thing a long time together now- we celebrated 35 years last Halloween- and we make a great team!

-I help Strephon with his business, and one aspect of that is producing films. Most of them are documentaries and you can even come see one of them on Sunday. We’re playing San Francisco Cable Cars Sunday, February 11, 2024 at 1:00 at the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum in Fremont. Did you know that cable cars were invented and first run in San Francisco, and that it took a woman to save the entire system? Come find out more! Strephon will be doing a Q & A afterward and I will be selling merchandise, so it’s a chance for you to meet us both.

-If given the chance I’ll talk your ear off about racing! Specifically, I love auto road course racing. Formula 1 and vintage racing are my favorites of all. I couldn’t stand being “just” a spectator anymore and switched to the “hot” side of the fence working at the races as a volunteer around 2006, and finally as a paid worker around 2016. Upon Sonoma Raceway’s urging, I became an EMT in 2018 so I could work on the safety trucks as part of their Fire/Safety team. I have to say it feels pretty amazing to wear all the gear, being prepared for everything that can happen on a road course. My favorite place is on the pit lane- here’s a picture of me at the NASCAR race at Sonoma Raceway last June:

I also am a Course Marshal (flagger) and a Scrutineer (technical and safety inspector). The engineering aspects of racing are my favorite parts, and I just love the sensory overload that being at the track provides- the sights, sounds, smells, and that amazing rumble that comes up through your feet! It’s so good!!! I feel most centered and right in my life when I’m at the track. I consider it my “fun” job, which is saying something since Outside School’s so much fun, too!

-Since I became an EMT, I’ve also decided to work as a set and event medic. I once was a set medic for an Olympics photo shoot and caught a soccer ball that Megan Rapinoe kicked, which I figure is pretty good for the kid who always got picked last in grade school sports. I got to work as the EMT at Pacifica’s FogFest last year, and will again this coming year. EMT’ing is a lot like Outside School- no two days are ever alike, and there’s a lot of joy in the adventure of the unknown. I love caring for people in seemingly random ways.

I’ve worked as a precision driver, too. You can see my own car in the reflection of the “hero” car for this KIA shoot as we drove across the Bay Bridge at sundown:

-Nonfiction reading (Chris Hadfield) and local fiction (Steinbeck).

-Oh, yeah! Let’s not forget music! 🎶 Rock, metal, and punk, with some rap and pop mixed in. 🎵 Lots of stuff I grew up with as a child and teen lately.

Do you feel like you know me a little better now? I have a bio linked on the first Outside School web page, and there are lots of links around the site to articles by and about me. I strive to share as much as I can in my writing, whether that’s on my site or in my daily emails to my enrolled families. Check it all out if you want to know more!

Enrollment

Enroll now!

School Year Program

-Last day to apply for the remainder of the 2023 - 2024 school year is 2/14 for a 3/1 start!

-Apply now for the 2024 - 2025 school year!

8 Week Peek!

-If you’re uncertain about full enrollment, the last day to apply for an “8 Week Peek” is 2/14 for a 3/1 start!

Summer Camp

Summer Camp Session 1:

-Week 1 (July 8 - 12, 2024)

-Week 2 (July 15 - 19, 2024)

For more information, please go to:

Please remember that I’m going to be having a Meet and Greet for prospective, current, and former students and their families! It’s on Friday, 3/22/24, 11:00 - 1:00 in the community space at the Berkeley Sports Basement. Here’s all the information:

Nature News

The Creek!

It’s been SO rainy! It’s fantastic to see how the creek changes not only day by day, but sometimes hour by hour. Last week there were potential creek flooding days, so we viewed Wildcat Creek from above. I hope my summer camp kids get to see this!

Bay Tree!

We were nearby when we witnessed a HUGE bay tree fall down! Loud cracks were followed by a surprisingly graceful fall. It was extra shocking because it was so close to where we’d just been- what a sense of relief to know we were safe, so there were lots of high fives, laughter, and whooping all around!

Two of the rangers witnessed the fall from the opposite side of the creek, from the lot behind their office. I absolutely love this “meeting of the minds” picture! 💞💞💞

Newt Report

The creek is too deep and opaque for us to determine whether any newts are in it right now.

Inspiration and Resources

“The Stories Indian and Mortar Rocks Can Tell Us: The Famous Boulders, Places of Contemplation, Ceremony, Gossip and Industry for the Ohlone, Are a Symbol of a Destroyed Cultural Landscape but Also of What Remains Worth Protecting”

By Ally Markovich for Berkeleyside

Learn more about the Indigenous history of the East Bay!

Celebrate Black History Month with Urban Tilth in Richmond, CA

From Urban Tilth’s facebook page: “It's #BlackHistoryMonth! Come out & be in #community with us! Celebrate. Learn. Remember. Join us for three engaging community events!

1) Experience Igbo Culture! Dine on delectable Nigerian fare and delve into the heart of Igbo culture alongside the charismatic Uche Uwahemu. Discover the flavors, language, and traditions that make the Igbo heritage so intriguing.

2) The Cookout! Savor captivating performances, enlightening food and medicine workshops, cooking lessons that showcase the diversity of culinary traditions, interactive art, and games.

3) Supper Club! A celebration of the past and future of Black culture. Immerse yourself in a vibrant cultural experience. Come as you are or express your vibe – be it 70s, mud cloth, or messages on clothing -- an evening of savory delights, community, and connection.

Gratitude. We honor our ancestors and their wisdom, knowledge, and pathways. We acknowledge the importance of community and salute those continuing on the path of greatness, each bringing what they have and doing their part.

#uche #iammonique #djshellheart #rubicon #familyjusticealliance #cooperationrichmond #igbo #cookout #supperclub #northrichmondfarm #urbantilth”

Urban Tilth does great things in our community!

Take care,

Heather

Heather Taylor, California Master Teacher, NREMT

Founder/Director/Teacher, Outside School (www.outside.school)

Founder, Teach Outside (www.teachoutside.org)

Feel free to forward to anyone you like!

Do tell, Which wetland are you?