This summer, I had the pleasure to join the team at the Boise Watershed, one of the water renewal facilities in Boise. It was a joy to work with them and all the different groups that came to tour the facility. Over the course of the summer, I learned all about the water renewal facility and process, but it was also a joy to be a part of their friendly, outgoing education team. I participated in teambuilding, dinners, professional development opportunities; I was part of the team! One lucky part of the summer was when I got to join the WaterShed’s tour of the landfill, where we got a really in-depth, behind-the-scenes tour of the city’s waste management process. It was a fascinating opportunity that I wouldn’t have otherwise experienced.

Initially, my summer project was going to be to create a new “Innovation Station” for their exhibit hall. However, after talking with the team and discussing my strengths, I was able to do a much more impactful project, creating videos in American Sign Language to show in their exhibit hall. Since my background is in Deaf Education, and I have a lot of connections in the ‘Deaf world,’ it was a very natural fit to help make their exhibit hall more accessible.

I wrote, re-wrote, and edited scripts, and when they looked good & approved by the city, I enlisted the help of my dad to help me create the videos (ASL is his native language, and Deaf representation is important). I created a home studio, where we shot the videos which I ‘directed.’ After edits, these videos were posted in their Exhibit Hall through the use of QR codes alongside their blind & low vision counterparts. You can watch the videos on the City of Boise’s YouTube page, here; https://www.youtube.com/@CityOfBoise/videos

At the end of the day, I think I succeeded in making the Boise WaterShed a more accessible, Deaf-friendly space! I am really looking forwards to taking my students on a field trip out to the WaterShed this year, to utilize these new ASL videos to their fullest extent. I am already in talks with my superintendent about making it happen. In terms of career knowledge, it would be an understatement to say that my knowledge of watersheds and water renewal is leaps and bounds past where it was at the beginning of the summer. I am greatly looking forwards to sharing this experience and knowledge with my students and encouraging them to take more climate-focused action in their lives and potentially in their careers as well.

Above all else, I want to highlight again what an absolute delight it was to work with the team at the WaterShed. They were some of the most kind, thoughtful, and passionate people that I have ever had the pleasure of working with. It brings me great relief to know that these are just some of the people who are doing the day-to-day work, helping to improve our climate, community action, and involvement. To Augie, Cindy, Arabelle, Jenny, Lisa, Crystal, Kelly, and everyone else who worked with me this summer… Thank you!!!

Grade Level and Subject Taught: Deaf & Hard of Hearing Elementary Ed, 3rd-5th Grade