By: Michela Sales, NJSOC Executive Assistant
What makes a life-changing outdoor education experience possible? At the NJ School of Conservation, our class offerings range from environmental sciences to humanities, social sciences, and outdoor pursuits—the possibilities for learning are endless. But who teaches these classes, and how do they become so skilled? At NJSOC, we don’t just have teachers—we have Master Educators.
Our Master Educators come from diverse backgrounds and bring a wealth of experience in education, environmental fields, and outdoor leadership. They are primarily retired teachers, environmental professionals, artists and naturalists who support NJSOC on a part time basis. Working as an extension of our Education Staff, they collaborate on developing curriculum, refining existing classes, and teaching the thousands of students and campers who visit NJSOC each year. Whether working with summer camps, school groups, or community partners, our Master Educators help inspire curiosity and foster meaningful connections to the natural world.
Master Educators become trained and equipped to teach based on their interests and prior experience. Throughout the year, the Education Staff hosts training sessions, where either a staff member or an experienced Master Educator leads instruction in a specific class. During these sessions, participants experience the class as a student would—engaging in activities, challenging themselves and learning alongside their peers. Adjacent to this, they learn teaching techniques and discuss ways to enhance the curriculum. This collaborative approach allows the Education Team to share ideas, strengthen programming, and ensure the high-quality instruction that NJSOC is known for.
This commitment to growth was on full display this past week, when NJSOC hosted a Master Educator training focused on incorporating storytelling into classes, along with instruction on how to teach boating. By weaving storytelling into lessons, educators can transform facts into engaging narratives, helping students form deeper connections to the curriculum and sparking curiosity about the natural world—one of our core goals at NJSOC.
Boating, one of our outdoor pursuit offerings, requires more instruction than many might expect. Through this class, students and campers learn proper boating techniques, teamwork, and problem-solving skills, all while building confidence on the water.
Without our Master Educators, NJSOC would not be able to provide the impactful and sometimes life-changing experiences we are so proud to offer. Their passion, knowledge, and dedication are what transform a simple visit into a lasting memory. Our Master Educators are an integral part of the everyday operations at NJSOC, and we are incredibly grateful to have them as part of our team.
