Dr. Diane's Adventures in Learning

Dr Diane Jackson Schnoor
  • 5.0 (11)
  • Education
  • Updated Weekly

🎧 Adventures in Learning with Dr. Diane 🎧Inspire curiosity. Spark creativity. Fuel a lifelong love of learning. Are you an educator, librarian, parent, or STEM/STEAM enthusiast looking to make learning come alive for kids? Adventures in Learning with Dr. Diane is your go-to podcast for hands-on, joyful learning that connects STEM/STEAM education, multicultural children's literature, and real-world exploration. Join Dr. Diane Jackson Schnoor, educator and explorer, as she travels the world (literally and virtually!) to bring you conversations with award-winning authors, illustrators, educators, scientists, and STEM leaders. Each episode delivers fresh ideas, engaging stories, and practical tips to inspire early childhood and elementary learners—in the classroom, the library, or at home. Wonder, curiosity, connection, and play -- we bring the world to you! 🌎 Featuring: Innovative STEM/STEAM experiencesDiverse children's book recommendationsStrategies for inquiry-based, joyful learning through playVoices from around the globe that inspire the WOW 🧠 Perfect for:Early childhood & elementary educators | School librarians | Homeschoolers | Caregivers | STEM/STEAM champions 🔗 Explore featured books: bookshop.org/shop/drdianeadventures📝 Read full show notes: drdianeadventures.com/blog 💌 Have an idea or guest suggestion? Email: diane@drdianeadventures.com👉 Subscribe, rate, and review to support more Adventures in Learning!

  1. 4d ago

    Hope in the Field: The Green Mambas of Wild Tomorrow

    What does hope look like when it is rooted in the land, carried home to your children, and shared through song?In Episode 204 of the Adventures in Learning podcast, Dr. Diane continues the Wild Tomorrow series with two remarkable Green Mambas, Senzeleni Ngcobo and Philile Mdluli. The Green Mambas are part of Wild Tomorrow’s all-women ecosystem-restoration team in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Their work includes removing invasive plants, helping restore native habitat, supporting tree planting, learning fire-safety and first-aid skills, and welcoming guests and volunteers into the work of rewilding. But this conversation is about much more than conservation. It is about work that creates independence, supports families, strengthens community, and makes a future feel possible. Senzeleni and Philile share what has changed since joining Wild Tomorrow in 2018: being able to send their children to school, afford transportation and warm clothes, contribute to their families, and build homes of their own. They speak about learning to feel at home in the forest, gaining new skills, and teaching their children to care for plants, animals, and the planet. And throughout the episode, they share the music and laughter that bring joy to their days in the field. This is Part 5 of the Wild Tomorrow series. In previous episodes, we heard Wild Tomorrow’s founding story from John Steward and Wendy Hapgood; explored community conservation with Aphiwe Notshaya; learned about ecosystem restoration with reserve manager Kevin Jolliffe; and joined Sibiya Siyabonga for a conversation about ranger life, resilience, and hope. This episode brings us directly to the women whose daily work is helping turn Wild Tomorrow’s vision into reality. Chapters 00:00 Welcome to the Green Mambas01:13 Meeting Senzeleni and Philile04:13 What the Green Mambas do06:36 Rewilding, invasive plants, and tree planting07:30 Singing through the work08:32 How work with Wild Tomorrow changed their families’ lives09:54 From fearing the forest to feeling at home11:07 Conservation in partnership with community13:09 Learning new skills in the field15:27 Lessons they are sharing with their children16:08 What brings hope17:12 A final song and “Siyabonga”Why Listen Hear directly from two women whose daily work restores habitat and creates opportunity for their families.Learn how rewilding includes invasive-species removal, tree planting, wildlife protection, fire management, and community engagement.Discover a community-centered conservation model that recognizes women as leaders in restoration.Be reminded that hope can take many forms: meaningful work, new skills, children thriving, friendship, laughter, and song.Other Episodes In the Wild Tomorrow Series Part 1: From Boots to a Wildlife Corridor: The Wild Tomorrow Story with John Steward and Wendy HapgoodPart 2: People, Preschoolers, and Planet: Community Conservation with Aphiwe NotshayaPart 3: Rewilding, Restoration, and Hope with Kevin JolliffePart 4: Rangers, Resilience, and Hope with Sibiya SiyabongaMore Resources Learn more about the Green Mambas, Wild Tomorrow’s all-women restoration team.wildtomorrowRead Wild Tomorrow’s celebration of the Green Mambas and their work in habitat restoration: Celebrating the Green Mambas.Visit Wild Tomorrow to support wildlife conservation, rewilding, and community-centered work in South Africa.Find full show notes, photos, and more episodes at Dr. Diane Adventures.Call to action Listen to the full episode, share it with someone who cares about women in conservation, and take time to learn the whole story of rewilding. Restoring land is not only about planting trees or removing invasive plants. It is also about investing in people, supporting families, building skills, and creating communities where wildlife and people can thrive together. Siyabonga — thank you — to Senzeleni, Philile, and every Green Mamba whose work reminds us that hope is not abstract. It is something we build, plant, protect, sing about, and carry forward together. Support the show Share this episode If this conversation sparked wonder, gave you a helpful strategy, or offered a needed reminder of hope, please share it with a friend or colleague. Subscribe • Download • Review • Tell a friend Stay updated with our latest episodes and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and the Adventures in Learning website. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts! *Disclosure: I am a Bookshop.org. affiliate.

    Hope in the Field: The Green Mambas of Wild Tomorrow

  2. Aug 19

    A Not So Perfect Start: Building Caring Classroom Communities with Author Trudy Ludwig

    What if the best start to a school year is not a perfect one, but a caring one? In Episode 203 of the Adventures in Learning podcast, Dr. Diane welcomes back author Trudy Ludwig to talk about her new picture book, A Not So Perfect Start — the first title in her new The Caring Classroom series. Trudy’s books have long helped children, families, and educators make the invisible visible, exploring topics like big feelings, anxiety, perfectionism, friendship challenges, empathy, belonging, and the courage to try again. On Episode 203, we explore how classrooms become true communities, why mistakes are essential to growth, and how books and play can help children practice the social-emotional skills they need to navigate a complicated world. In this conversation, Trudy offers practical wisdom for the new school year, including suggestions for empower tools to help children respond to and navigate hurtful behaviors. Her central message is one every child (and grown up) needs to hear. We all want to feel valued, seen, and heard. Chapters 01:42 Making the invisible visible through story02:25 Introducing A Not So Perfect Start and The Caring Classroom04:14 Being in a community vs. being part of one05:49 The SEL needs educators asked Trudy to address08:46 Anxiety, perfectionism, and emotional resilience12:42 Literature, play, and practicing big feelings safely16:41 Trudy’s “empower tools” for responding to hurtful behavior20:59 Bringing A Not So Perfect Start into schools this year22:11 Resources for creating a caring classroom community25:34 When students write the next chapter28:31 Why kids are bringing Trudy hopeWhy listen Discover why A Not So Perfect Start is a timely read-aloud for preschool and early elementary students.Learn how stories can help children build emotional vocabulary, resilience, and a stronger sense of belonging.Hear practical ideas for using picture books, role-play, story walks, and student-created sequels to make social-emotional learning active and meaningful.Take away Trudy’s age-appropriate “empower tools” for responding to rudeness, meanness, and bullying.Links and resources Listen to Trudy Ludwig’s first appearance on Episode 8 of the Adventures in Learning podcastPurchase A Not So Perfect Start and check out Trudy's catalog of booksFind classroom activities and lesson plans for Trudy’s booksVisit Trudy Ludwig’s websiteCall to action Start the school year by choosing care over perfection. Read A Not So Perfect Start with your students or family, then invite children to talk about the moments when they feel worried about making mistakes. Make space for them to name big feelings, practice an “empower tool,” create a class community agreement, or write the next chapter for one of Trudy’s characters. A caring classroom is not a room where everything goes perfectly. It is a place where every child knows that mistakes are part of learning, and that they belong while they figure things out. Support the show Share this episode If this conversation sparked wonder, gave you a helpful strategy, or offered a needed reminder of hope, please share it with a friend or colleague. Subscribe • Download • Review • Tell a friend Stay updated with our latest episodes and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and the Adventures in Learning website. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts! *Disclosure: I am a Bookshop.org. affiliate.

    A Not So Perfect Start: Building Caring Classroom Communities with Author Trudy Ludwig

  3. Aug 12

    Language, Literacy, and the Power of “Yes, And”: Teaching Multilingual Learners with Tan Huynh and Beth Skelton

    How do we help multilingual learners move beyond giving the right answer to communicating like scientists, historians, readers, writers, and thinkers? In Episode 202 of the Adventures in Learning podcast, Dr. Diane welcomes Beth Skelton and Tan Huynh for a deeply practical, joy-filled conversation about making language instruction more explicit, more integrated, and more human for all learners. Beth and Tan share strategies from their work with experienced multilingual learners, including the “input-output loop,” intentional chunking, sentence-pattern charts, and planning backward from the language students need in order to show what they know. Whether you teach early childhood, elementary, middle, or high school, this episode offers concrete ways to keep expectations high while giving every learner the tools they need to reach the mountaintop. Along the way, we talk about collaboration, the importance of teaching students how to respond to academic prompts such as describe, contrast, and explain, and why compassion in education does not mean lowering the bar. It means building a better trail — with more ropes, poles, supports, and opportunities for every student to climb. Why listen Learn how to integrate language development into the content you already teach.Explore strategies that help multilingual learners write, speak, read, and think with greater precision.Hear classroom-ready examples using science concepts, picture books, gestures, sentence patterns, and structured quick writes.Take away a powerful approach to collaboration as you lead with curiosity, connection, and “yes, and.”Chapters 01:04 What multilingual learners need from schools03:49 Why academic language must be taught explicitly05:01 Helping students sound like scientists07:34 Supporting experienced multilingual learners beyond the plateau10:16 From reading a text to writing with purpose13:19 Bringing intentional language into early childhood learning15:17 The input-output loop: short chunks, meaningful processing18:45 Sentence-pattern charts for content and language together22:20 Keep the mountaintop high; give students more tools to climb25:50 Teaching literacy instead of only assigning literacy tasks30:20 Teaching students what prompts like “describe” and “explain” require32:06 From social media connection to a powerful co-author partnership33:32 “Yes, and”: collaboration that builds relationships37:37 What brings Beth and Tan hopeLinks and resources Look for Beth Skelton and Tan Huynh’s work, including Long-Term Success for Experienced Multilinguals and Integrated Literacy for Experienced Multilinguals.Listen to Beth's appearance on Episode 109 of the Adventures in Learning podcast.Listen to Tan's Teaching ML's Podcast.Call to action Listen with a notebook nearby, because Beth and Tan offer ideas you can try immediately. Choose one upcoming lesson, identify the language students will need to express the content, and build in one small input-output loop: a short chunk of learning, a chance to gesture, talk, draw, write, or reflect, and a clear pathway for students to put their thinking into words. The mountain stays high. Our job is to make sure more students have what they need to climb it. Support the show Share this episode If this conversation sparked wonder, gave you a helpful strategy, or offered a needed reminder of hope, please share it with a friend or colleague. Subscribe • Download • Review • Tell a friend Stay updated with our latest episodes and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and the Adventures in Learning website. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts! *Disclosure: I am a Bookshop.org. affiliate.

    Language, Literacy, and the Power of “Yes, And”: Teaching Multilingual Learners with Tan Huynh and Beth Skelton

  4. Aug 5

    Travel That Cares: Bryn Geddes on Sustainable Adventures with Road Scholar

    What does it mean to travel in a way that leaves places better than we found them? In Episode 201 of the Adventures in Learning podcast, Dr. Diane sits down with Bryn Geddes, Senior Manager of Program Sustainability at Road Scholar, for a conversation that feels both practical and deeply personal. I've been fascinated by Road Scholar since I traveled to Antarctica with them -- and am delighted to bring this conversation home to you. We talk about what sustainable travel really looks like on the ground, the everyday choices that add up, and how an organization with almost 800 itineraries in 100 countries is weaving care for people and planet into every trip. Bryn shares how Road Scholar is moving beyond a few “green” programs to a whole-company approach: auditing itineraries, training teams and group leaders, and setting standards that protect wildlife, reduce waste, and support local communities. She also reflects on her own path from archaeology to sustainable tourism, what makes Road Scholar’s culture unique, and why curiosity and critical thinking are at the heart of meaningful travel. From plastic water bottles to linen changes, from Patagonia to the Civil Rights Trail, this episode is a warm, hopeful look at how we can explore the world with more humility, more respect, and more long-term impact. If you’ve ever wondered how to travel in a way that aligns with your values — or if you just love hearing stories about people who are building a better kind of tourism — this conversation is for you. Chapters 00:00 Welcome and the promise of travel01:20 Bryn’s role and Road Scholar’s sustainability mission03:45 What sustainable travel really means09:30 Cultural sustainability and local communities10:13 Road Scholar’s long-term sustainability plan12:48 Meeting travelers where they are14:44 Luxury, convenience, and behavior change in hotels20:06 Bryn’s path from archaeology to sustainable tourism24:38 What makes Road Scholar special27:18 Favorite trips and bucket-list destinations29:39 The Civil Rights Trail and immersive travel31:12 Humility, curiosity, and intergenerational travel33:03 Serving travelers 50+ and the next generation35:33 What’s bringing Bryn hope right now37:25 Closing and where to learn moreLinks and resources Learn more about Road Scholar: Road ScholarExplore Road Scholar’s sustainability efforts: Road Scholar SustainabilityCall to action Listen to the full episode, explore Road Scholar’s programs, and on your next trip, try one small sustainable change: carry a refillable water bottle, ask about towel and linen policies at your hotel, or choose a locally owned business for a meal or tour. This conversation is a reminder that travel can be an act of care — for the places we visit, the people who live there, and the future we all share. Support the show Share this episode If this conversation sparked wonder, gave you a helpful strategy, or offered a needed reminder of hope, please share it with a friend or colleague. Subscribe • Download • Review • Tell a friend Stay updated with our latest episodes and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and the Adventures in Learning website. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts! *Disclosure: I am a Bookshop.org. affiliate.

    Travel That Cares: Bryn Geddes on Sustainable Adventures with Road Scholar

  5. Jul 29

    Off the Wall: Molly Idle & Juana Martinez-Neal on Collaboration, Picture Books, & the Power of Play (Ep. 200)

    What happens when two beloved picture book creators, Caldecott Honorees, and longtime friends with very different artistic styles make a book together? In Episode 200 of the Adventures in Learning podcast, host Dr. Diane Jackson Schnoor welcomes acclaimed authors and illustrators Molly Idle and Juana Martinez-Neal for a warm, funny, and thoughtful conversation. Together, they offer an exclusive look behind their new picture book, Off The Wall, exploring the joys and messy realities of true creative collaboration. Along the way, they talk about trust, studio process, file-naming systems, rhinoceroses, rhino dehorning, sidewalk chalk, and why play still matters for adults just as much as children. Episode Summary Making Art & Sharing the Journey This milestone episode is a celebration of making things together. Molly and Juana share how their artistic partnership evolved from an earlier project (I Don't Care) into a deeper collaboration where they learned to trade off, set aside egos, and choose the best idea for the story. They also share candid insights into the business side of being children's book artists, navigating long-distance co-creation, and why traveling together makes the creative journey far more meaningful. From Picture Books to Conservation in South Africa There is also an inspiring South Africa thread running through this conversation. The episode returns to their shared experience with Wild Tomorrow, the Green Mambas, community-led conservation, rewilding, and the creative problem-solving required to protect both people and the planet. From community murals to wildlife protection, the episode highlights a core truth: art, like conservation, is collaborative, messy, and deeply human. Why Adults Need Play At the center of it all is a question that reaches beyond the picture book page and into everyday life: how do we keep play alive? Molly and Juana make a compelling case that creativity isn't just for childhood, showing how everyday play opens the door to empathy, curiosity, and human connection. That is exactly the kind of learning this podcast loves to celebrate. Chapters & Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction & Reunited Friends 01:17 - Collaborating Across Distance 03:22 - What Story-First Collaboration Looks Like 06:36 - The Business vs. The Art 12:39 - First Look at Off The Wall 18:38 - "Happy Accidents" in the Studio 22:24 - Memories from South Africa 25:28 - Dr. Diane Mid-Roll 27:01 - Street Art & Everyday Creativity 32:32 - The Vital Importance of Adult Play 35:03 - Lessons from Conservation Workers 48:18 - Play-Based Learning Over Prescriptive Teaching 50:43 - What Brings You Hope?Links & Resources Pre-Order Off The Wall (Releasing August 4, 2026!) Pre-order your copy and support independent bookstores.Molly Idle’s Official WebsiteJuana Martinez-Neal’s Official WebsiteWild TomorrowListen to Molly (#149) & Juana's (#137) Previous Episodes Explore the CBCC & Wild Tomorrow SeriesCall to Action Listen to the full episode, pre-order or pick up Off the Wall, and take a moment this week to make something with someone else. Draw, paint, write, build, or simply play. The episode is a reminder that learning is richer when it is shared, and creativity is better when it is messy, joyful, and alive. Support the show Share this episode If this conversation sparked wonder, gave you a helpful strategy, or offered a needed reminder of hope, please share it with a friend or colleague. Subscribe • Download • Review • Tell a friend Stay updated with our latest episodes and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and the Adventures in Learning website. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts! *Disclosure: I am a Bookshop.org. affiliate.

    Off the Wall: Molly Idle & Juana Martinez-Neal on Collaboration, Picture Books, & the Power of Play (Ep. 200)

  6. Jul 22

    Rangers, Resilience, and Hope with Sibiya Siyabonga | Wild Tomorrow, Part 4

    What does it take to protect wildlife when the work is dangerous, the stakes are high, and hope has to be built every single day? In Episode 199 of the Adventures in Learning Podcast, Dr. Diane Jackson Schnoor continues the Wild Tomorrow series with Assistant Reserve Manager Sibiya Siyabonga for an honest and deeply human conversation about ranger life, anti-poaching work, community trust, and the courage it takes to protect animals that cannot protect themselves. This is Part 4 in the Wild Tomorrow story, and it follows the earlier episodes with John Steward and Wendy Hapgood, Aphiwe Notshaya, and Kevin Jolliffe. Siya shares how he came to Wild Tomorrow, what he learned as a ranger and firefighter, and why conservation depends not only on fences and patrols but also on relationships, training, and collaboration with the people who live closest to the land. Listeners will hear about the daily realities of ranger work, including listening posts, ambushes, tracking, teamwork, and the difficult balance between protecting wildlife and understanding the human pressures around poaching. Most of all, this episode is a reminder that conservation is not abstract; it is personal, practical, and often risky work carried out by people who love the land enough to guard it. As we approach World Ranger Day on July 31, this episode feels especially timely. It’s a chance to honor the men and women who protect natural heritage on the front lines, and to support the Wild Tomorrow fundraiser that helps make their work safer, stronger, and more sustainable. Chapters 00:01 Hope in the sounds of the bush01:18 Meet Sibiya Siyabonga01:53 From firefighting to ranger work03:22 What a ranger does every day05:55 Building trust with community leaders08:59 Creating different paths forward10:02 A recent poaching arrest17:35 Protecting animals that cannot protect themselves18:09 The dangers rangers face23:06 Why poachers take bigger risks25:08 Rangers as conservation’s backbone27:25 What rangers need most31:03 Ranger numbers and team structure33:25 Working with neighboring reserves35:45 Training the next generation of rangers41:07 Why Siya keeps doing this work46:22 What brings Siya hope48:26 Closing and call to actionKey moments Siya explains that his job is to protect animals that cannot protect themselves.Ranger work includes patrols, listening posts, ambushes, tracking, and hard choices.Building trust with communities is part of conservation, not separate from it.The reserve depends on collaboration with neighboring properties and shared intelligence.Hope comes from nature, from the next generation, and from the chance to make a difference.Call to action Download and listen to Episode 199 of Adventures in Learning to hear the full conversation and continue the Wild Tomorrow series. If Siya’s story moved you, please consider supporting the Wild Tomorrow Rangers with a donation and honoring the work of rangers this World Ranger Day season. Links and resources John Steward and Wendy Hapgood: From Boots to a Wildlife Corridor: The Wild Tomorrow StoryAphiwe Notshaya: People, Preschoolers, and PlanetKevin Jolliffe: Rewilding, Restoration, and HopeLearn More About the Wild Tomorrow RangersDonate to Support the RangersLearn more about World Ranger DayAbout Sibiya Siyabonga Sibiya Siyabonga is Assistant Reserve Manager at Wild Tomorrow. Siya joins the reserve from KZN Ezemvelo Wildlife’s Tembe Elephant Park, where he served as an Advance Field Ranger. During his time there, Siya was involved in successful confrontations with poachers. He also holds certificates in firefighting, field training and firearms, and reserve guardianship. #AdventuresInLearning #WildTomorrow #SibiyaSiyabonga #Siya #Rangers #Conservation #AntiPoaching #WildlifeProtection #CommunityConservation #NatureRestoration #SouthAfrica #EnvironmentalEducation #LearningThroughNature #WonderCuriosityConnection #PodcastEpisode #HopeInTheWild #WorldRangerDay Support the show Share this episode If this conversation sparked wonder, gave you a helpful strategy, or offered a needed reminder of hope, please share it with a friend or colleague. Subscribe • Download • Review • Tell a friend Stay updated with our latest episodes and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and the Adventures in Learning website. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts! *Disclosure: I am a Bookshop.org. affiliate.

    Rangers, Resilience, and Hope with Sibiya Siyabonga | Wild Tomorrow, Part 4

  7. Jul 15

    Rewilding, Restoration, and Hope: Kevin Jolliffe and the Wild Tomorrow Story

    What does it look like when conservation becomes a long view, a daily practice, and a promise to the future? In Episode 198 of the Adventures in Learning Podcast, Dr. Diane Jackson Schnoor welcomes Kevin Jolliffe, reserve manager at Wild Tomorrow, for a rich conversation about rewilding, restoration, community partnership, and the patience it takes to care for a landscape over time. In Part 3 of the Wild Tomorrow series, Kevin shares how a childhood rooted in nature grew into a career in conservation that has taken him around the world and back again. From sea turtles in the Seychelles to habitat restoration in South Africa, he reflects on what it means to steward land, manage wildlife, and think in terms of generations rather than quick fixes. This episode also continues the Wild Tomorrow story through the lens of balance and hope. Kevin and Dr. Diane talk about what it means to let nature lead when appropriate, step in when human action caused the harm, and support the surrounding community as part of the larger conservation mission. If you’ve loved the earlier Wild Tomorrow conversations with co-founders John Steward and Wendy Hapgood, and community conservation manager Aphiwe Notshaya, this episode deepens that story in a meaningful way. Chapters 01:19 A childhood in nature02:45 Studying conservation and meeting his wife03:33 Work in the Seychelles and the Bahamas04:56 How Kevin joined Wild Tomorrow05:56 What a reserve manager does06:53 A "typical day" on the reserve08:42 Rewilding the land10:15 Man-made problems and nature’s balance13:05 Species brought back to the reserve14:37 Anti-poaching and community partnership16:29 Working with local herders and land use19:32 Nursery work and growing trees21:22 Reconnecting with nature24:23 Quiet moments with hippos27:01 How to care about conservation29:34 Thinking in generations, not instant fixes30:24 Favorite trees, birds, and animals32:02 What gives Kevin hopeAbout Kevin Jolliffe Kevin was born in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. His early holidays with his aunt and uncle in Hluhluwe sparked his love for Zululand and determined the career he would later pursue. As the youngest of five siblings and the odd man out with the neighbourhood children, Kevin developed a passion for nature. Afternoons were spent exploring the Botanic Gardens where he honed his bird watching skills, collected butterflies and developed an interest in plants, including collecting and growing orchids at the age of seven, becoming the youngest orchid grower in South Africa for over 10 years. Kevin is currently writing and illustrating a book on the orchids of KZN and his vast knowledge has been put to good use while working with the Pollination Ecology department at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.  Kevin was always determined to work in nature conservation. He attained a National Diploma in Nature Conservation from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, where he met his conservationist wife. They have been working together ever since. He has worked at government run, Ndumo Game Reserve as well as a number of private reserves in KZN, the Western and Eastern Cape, Swaziland and Limpopo provinces. He was the conservation manager for Cousine Island in the Seychelles for five 5 years conducting in-depth monitoring of nesting Hawksbill sea turtles, sea birds and endangered land birds. From there he took up the position of landscape manager in the Bahamas, before returning to South Africa to manage a private nature reserve in the Western Cape. He is now proudly Wild Tomorrow Fund’s Reserve Manager at The Greater Ukuwela Nature Reserve. Links and resources Learn more about Dr. Diane's Adventures in Learning: drdianadventures.comExplore Wild Tomorrowand follow on Instagram and LinkedInListen to the Wild Tomorrow Series, featuring John Steward and Wendy Hapgood and Aphiwe NotshayaJoin Wild Tomorrow for the Junior Wildlife Crime Scene Detective Event on July 20, 2026 Support the show Share this episode If this conversation sparked wonder, gave you a helpful strategy, or offered a needed reminder of hope, please share it with a friend or colleague. Subscribe • Download • Review • Tell a friend Stay updated with our latest episodes and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and the Adventures in Learning website. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts! *Disclosure: I am a Bookshop.org. affiliate.

    Rewilding, Restoration, and Hope: Kevin Jolliffe and the Wild Tomorrow Story

  8. Jul 6

    A Celebration of Life with Dr. Edward John Jackson

    What do you call a life filled with service, curiosity, humor, and love? In Episode 197 of the Adventures in Learning Podcast, Dr. Diane Jackson Schnoor shares a deeply personal tribute to her father, Dr. Edward John Jackson, a quiet hero whose life touched military service, higher education, community leadership, and family in lasting ways. This episode honors Dr. Jackson’s journey from a difficult childhood to a distinguished Army career and a decades-long legacy at Fayetteville Technical Community College. Along the way, Dr. Diane weaves in stories that reveal his adventurous spirit, his gift for play, his commitment to equity and education, and the joyful way he showed up for the people he loved. Listeners will hear memories of travel, teaching, theater, puppets, family adventures, and the creation of programs that made education more accessible for service members and working adults. At its heart, this episode is a celebration of a life that embodied wonder, connection, and the belief that learning should open doors for others. Chapters 00:00 Opening tribute and introduction to Dr. Edward Jackson02:00 Pamela the chimpanzee and an early summer job05:20 Choosing the Army and seeing the world09:00 Rising from enlisted soldier to officer13:06 Korea, OCS, and the realities of military life16:01 Segregation, service, and standing for equal rights17:16 Women in the Army and supporting change18:44 Education, graduate school, and teaching20:24 Building SOCAD and changing degree pathways23:27 Transforming Fayetteville Technical Community College25:28 Theater, the arts, and community service26:31 Play, family adventures, and imagination33:19 Sunday school, teaching, and faith36:11 Final reflections and closing tributeKey moments Dr. Jackson helped build smoother educational pathways for service members through SOCAD and transfer credit reform.He lived through major social change in the Army and supported equal rights, women soldiers, and integration.He brought play, creativity, and wonder into family life through puppets, forts, games, and travel.He served his community through education, theater, faith, and civic organizations.His legacy continues through his daughters, granddaughters, and the many people whose lives he shaped.About Dr. Edward John Jackson Dr. Edward John Jackson (Maj. Ret.) served more than 20 years in the United States Army, including tours in Korea and Vietnam, and later dedicated decades to Fayetteville Technical Community College. He was a builder of programs, a champion for equity, a lover of learning, and a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend. Memorial information Memorial gifts may be made to the Dr. Edward and Eleanor Jackson Memorial Scholarship at the Fayetteville Technical Community College Foundation, P.O. Box 35236, Fayetteville, NC 28303, or online through Fayetteville Tech’s giving page by selecting “give now” and noting “Dr. Edward Jackson” in the comments. Support the show Share this episode If this conversation sparked wonder, gave you a helpful strategy, or offered a needed reminder of hope, please share it with a friend or colleague. Subscribe • Download • Review • Tell a friend Stay updated with our latest episodes and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and the Adventures in Learning website. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts! *Disclosure: I am a Bookshop.org. affiliate.

    A Celebration of Life with Dr. Edward John Jackson
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About

🎧 Adventures in Learning with Dr. Diane 🎧Inspire curiosity. Spark creativity. Fuel a lifelong love of learning. Are you an educator, librarian, parent, or STEM/STEAM enthusiast looking to make learning come alive for kids? Adventures in Learning with Dr. Diane is your go-to podcast for hands-on, joyful learning that connects STEM/STEAM education, multicultural children's literature, and real-world exploration. Join Dr. Diane Jackson Schnoor, educator and explorer, as she travels the world (literally and virtually!) to bring you conversations with award-winning authors, illustrators, educators, scientists, and STEM leaders. Each episode delivers fresh ideas, engaging stories, and practical tips to inspire early childhood and elementary learners—in the classroom, the library, or at home. Wonder, curiosity, connection, and play -- we bring the world to you! 🌎 Featuring: Innovative STEM/STEAM experiencesDiverse children's book recommendationsStrategies for inquiry-based, joyful learning through playVoices from around the globe that inspire the WOW 🧠 Perfect for:Early childhood & elementary educators | School librarians | Homeschoolers | Caregivers | STEM/STEAM champions 🔗 Explore featured books: bookshop.org/shop/drdianeadventures📝 Read full show notes: drdianeadventures.com/blog 💌 Have an idea or guest suggestion? Email: diane@drdianeadventures.com👉 Subscribe, rate, and review to support more Adventures in Learning!

Information

  • Creator
    Dr Diane Jackson Schnoor
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    203
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Dr Diane Jackson Schnoor LLC
  • Show Website
    Dr. Diane's Adventures in Learning