Teachers Have to go to School, Too

by Mike Smith
photography by Cliff White

The Jerry J. Presley Conservation Education Center offers Missouri teachers a chance to become students again-and act up at the same time.

Did you know teachers still go to school to learn? I didn't until last spring when I went from my hometown of Eminence to visit the Jerry J. Presley Education Center, previously known as the Alton Club, which sits on the banks of the beautiful Current River. The teachers had come to learn about migratory birds, and I came to see what the teachers were up to.

Upon arriving at the center, I walked around the entire area, which includes a spring-fed lake, dorms, gymnasium, classroom, dining hall and lounge for the teachers to use. After my tour, I felt envious of the teachers for having such a unique "school." I wish my classes were held here.

I then ate lunch with the 20 or so teachers who were there for the weekend. After lunch, I observed one of their classes on migratory birds. A Conservation Department instructor presented slides showing different migratory birds. Some of the slides had been taken by him, and he talked about how many birds are endangered and how their habitats are being destroyed. He also showed maps displaying the routes birds take from their wintering areas in Mexico and South America to nesting areas in North America-including Missouri. The teachers raised their hands with lots of questions.

After class, we made our way to the gymnasium where the teachers played a game showing how the population of migratory birds can be affected by what happens to the environments in which they nest.

Upon arriving at the gym, we found paper plates on the floor of both ends of the gym. They stood for the birds' nesting and wintering areas. All the teachers and I went to the nesting areas and when the instructor yelled "go!" everyone ran across the gym to the wintering areas trying to reach a plate marked "alive."

If you were fast enough, you survived the migration. It was an example of a game the teachers could play with their students. At first, some of the teachers were bashful and didn't give it all they had. But by the end of the game, they were practically sprinting. (They were too quick for me. I was put out almost every time.)

Another game demonstrated how cowbirds survive. In the time of the buffalo, cowbirds followed the buffalo herds from feeding area to feeding area. This left no time for the cowbirds to take care of their nests. The way they raise their young is by stealing one egg from the nests of other birds, then replacing the stolen egg with one of their own.

"I've never known any teachers who act quite like this!" exclaims author Mike Smith.  He caught these teachers "acting up" at a workshop. They were testing classroom games they could use to teach young students about nesting birds..

Baby cowbirds are much larger and louder than other birds. The "new" mother can't distinguish the baby cowbird from her own, and she feeds it more, resulting in an increase of the cowbird population and a decrease in the songbird population.

This was demonstrated by the following game: The teachers were put in groups of three and told to sit on the floor. Two were blindfolded with paper cups attached to their foreheads. The third teacher was allowed to see and secretly given a bigger bucket to hold. A fourth teacher "fed" them by throwing popcorn to them while they were chirping like baby birds. The teachers tried to catch the popcorn with the paper cups on their heads. Can you guess who caught the most popcorn? The teacher with the bucket-the "cowbird."

I got a good laugh watching this game. The teachers seemed a little embarrassed to start, but when they got cranked up, they were really loud, making chirping and laughing sounds. I have gone to school for nine years and have never seen teachers behave in this manner!

Lots of schools around the state have outdoor classrooms. The Presley Center is more like the outdoors with an indoor classroom.

After class, I talked with some of the teachers. Kim Buck, high school math and science teacher at Morgan County R-2 High School in Versailles, says, "The instructors with the Conservation Department show us activities that kids like. We also meet other teachers we can share ideas with . . . I'm learning lots."

Joy Dunlap, third grade teacher at Mark Twain Elementary in Poplar Bluff, says, "I'm here to learn new ways to teach conservation ideas. I think conservation is very important, and we need to be aware of what's going on in our world so we don't destroy it. My being here makes me a better person, therefore a better teacher." All the teachers said the instructors were knowledgeable and interesting and could answer their questions.

The Jerry J. Presley Center has about 10 teacher-leader workshops per year. The workshops range in length from six hours to three days. Teachers may stay at the Presley Center, instead of making long drives each day. I know I wouldn't mind attending and staying there to learn new things.

Mike Smith, a ninth-grader from Eminence, visited the Presley Center last spring. He plays basketball and likes to turkey hunt.

There was also time to get serious. A class about migratory birds hel the teachers' full attention.

The Presley Conservation Education Center near Eminence, named to honor past Conservation Department Director Jerry Presley, brings Missouri teachers and youth leaders together to learn about the Missouri outdoors. Primary and secondary teachers from around the state may sign up for courses ranging from botany to zoology. Teachers in history, arts, social studies, English, music, as well as those who teach traditional sciences, can learn about Missouri's diverse natural resources at the center.

They, in turn, can better impart to their students a broad appreciation for Missouri's natural landscape. Classes are taught by Conservation Department employees and range in size and duration. Many teachers receive college credit for their work.

To learn more about the Center, write to:

Jerry J. Presley Conservation Education Center
HCR 62, Box 386
Salem 65560

or call (573)858-3234.