<p>
	<img alt="" src="{filedir_5}Leafs_light.JPG" style="float: right; width: 250px; height: 188px; " />As much as I thought that the Au Sable internship was over, I&rsquo;m delighted to say that I think it has rubbed off on me. &nbsp;I now find myself searching for the dichotomous tree key before going on walks, promoting the use of compost bins to my neighbors and joyfully proclaiming, &ldquo;How neat is that?&rdquo; whenever I find an object that sparks my interest. Call me a nerd, but being at Au Sable has enhanced the way I look at nature even in my own environment back at home.</p>
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	Besides picking up cute phrases and more eco-friendly habits I was additionally surprised to find how much I enjoyed environmental education, and simply teaching in general. &nbsp;Although, to be fair, I&rsquo;m pretty sure it&rsquo;s hard to beat teaching kids about plants, animals, cookies and candles. But even without the incentive of eating cookies, I felt that many of the days I came away from teaching feeling completely energized from the kids.&nbsp; I think ultimately this energy comes from connecting and relating to the students. To show a child that they are surrounded by nature and history is a truly rewarding task, even if it is only on a basic level such as explaining that mammals, in fact, do not have tails.</p>
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	Yet, of course there were other days when I wasn&rsquo;t really sure if the kids understood what in the world I was talking about. &ldquo;What is a mammal?&rdquo; Although those days were more tiring, they helped me understand how essential a connection with the student is. &nbsp;I think this connection is what I really loved about teaching. The ability to relate to the kids, to intrigue them, and direct them towards further discoveries is what teaching is all about.</p>
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	Teaching at Au Sable was a great experience that I&rsquo;m really thankful for. Reflecting on my internship experience I&rsquo;ve realized that I really enjoy working with kids and in the field of education. &nbsp;Although I might not run off to become your child&rsquo;s next middle school teacher, I am looking into opportunities which promote science in a fun and educational way with the general public and kids alike.&nbsp; After all, how neat is that?</p>
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	<em>Jessica graduated from Oral Roberts University with a degree in biology, and vast experience working with children through summer camps and gymastics classes. &nbsp;This is her first (and we hope not last) Au Sable experience.</em></p>
