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Wonder To Wisdom – Professional Learning Series
Series Overview
In this 5-part hybrid workshop series, educators will engage in activities created by USNN and led by Sama and Starla (NBICC) centered on nature-based education and two-eyed seeing. Workshops 1-4 will focus on particular program blocks, linking to curriculum and developing a sense of place in educators. Workshop 5 will be a celebration of success for all of the registrants to share and reflect on the learning.
Facilitator: Starla McDougall
Starla McDougall is a proud member of the Passamaquoddy First Nation and a passionate advocate for Indigenous education and cultural revitalization. As a principal and program leader at the New Brunswick Indigenous Career College (NBICC), Starla brings deep experience in community engagement, mentorship, and culturally grounded curriculum development.
Her work centers on restoring relationships with the land through story, memory, and lived experience. In this workshop series, Starla guides participants in exploring how sensory learning connects to cultural identity, traditional knowledge, and seasonal teachings. Known for her leadership in Two-Eyed Seeing and her ability to build meaningful connections across generations, Starla plays a key role in helping educators and learners understand the land not only as a place of learning but as a living relative.
Facilitator: Sama AlMaarofi
Sama AlMaarofi is an Iraqi Canadian wetland ecologist, environmental-impact specialist, and founder of the United Spirit Nature Network (USNN). With over 15 years of international experience, from the Mesopotamian Marshes to Atlantic Canada, Sama brings a unique lens to land-based education, combining scientific knowledge with storytelling and sensory engagement.
Her leadership in “From Wonder to Wisdom” reflects a lifelong belief that understanding nature begins not just with facts, but with a sense of feeling. Sama designs hands-on learning experiences that awaken curiosity, deepen ecological awareness, and create space for all learners to explore nature through the senses. A champion of the Two-Eyed Seeing approach, she collaborates closely with Indigenous partners, such as NBICC, to create spaces where young people and the educators who guide them can build lifelong connections with land, water, and community.
Registration
Click below to register for the From Wonder to Wisdom professional learning series:
More Information
- Stay tuned for more details on the individual workshops.
- For any questions, please feel free to reach out to Crystal Roberts at Crystal.Roberts@gnb.ca