We believe children are born with a desire to explore and understand the natural world, and that early experiences with nature set a precedent for lifelong learning and well-being.
We provide children with special nature-centered opportunities to learn about themselves, the world, life.
We develop curriculum in response to students' interests. We offer students a range of "real" materials--water, soil, rocks, plants, snow. Balch children learn by doing; they play in the mud, climb on logs, follow insects, and plant seeds.
The Balch Nature School at the Fairbanks Museum is committed to supporting and building on the child's innate interest in exploring the natural world.
"Miss April," April Zajko (on the right), M.Ed., is Balch's lead teacher. April has an undergraduate degree in Psychology and a Master's degree in Education. She is a Vermont-licensed Early Childhood Educator and Reading Specialist. April, her husband, and her two children live in St. Johnsbury and love to spend time outdoors.
"Miss Lisa," Lisa Emerson (on the left), classroom aide, is a graduate of UVM with a degree in Fine Arts, and received her elementary license from the Upper Valley Teacher Institute. Lisa also runs the Fairbanks Museum's Nature Buddies playgroup, and lives in St. Johnsbury with her husband and two children.
For more about the Balch Nature School, click here.
Current Conditions
06/18/13 11:06 PM
St. Johnsbury, VT
Temperature: 51.5 °F
The region is headed into an extended dry period. High pressure extending from the Great Lakes to Hudson Bay will drift overhead by Thursday and remain over the eastern seaboard through the weekend. Click Here for Full Forecast
