How to Field Instructor
MESD Outdoor School > For Staff > How to Field Instructor > Ways to Be on Field Study
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What is a Field Instructor?
ODS Lingo
Sample Schedule
​How to Be a Mentor
How and When to Set Goals
Ways to Be on Field Study
Being a Guest at Meals
Meeting with your SLs on Field Study
Meeting with your SLs on Monday Nights
Times to Check In with Your SLs
Feedback - What to Look For
Ways to Help Returnees Grow
Nice Things to Do for Your SLs
Breaks!
Niches
Recreation Ideas
FI Evaluations
A Week in the Life of a Field Instructor at Eagle Fern Outdoor School
​WAYS TO BE ON FIELD STUDY
Be a visible presence early on and visit each group often, so the kids and SLs get used to you being around and don’t feel like they’re being watched when you are there. Find little tasks to do near each group (like fixing a tarp rope, adjusting a poster, or fiddling with your radio or BBP) so you can be visible and present in a way that doesn't look like you're listening to a group (even though you are).

On Sunday:
  • Give your SLs reassurances that they can do this, and boost their confidence as much as possible.
  • But also give them strategies for panic! Provide a code word or hand signal that SLs can use to alert you that they are struggling without also alerting the students.
  • Take your SLs on a physical tour of the field study space so they know where to find all of the equipment and teaching locations, and also talk them through the field study schedule.


On Monday:
  • Provide model teaching or team teaching support for new Student Leaders.
  • Find something that each SL succeeded with that day so you can share it with them during the Monday evening meeting — even if it's something like, "You did a great job helping that student get their goggles fitted properly so that Clover could concentrate on teaching the lesson."

Throughout the week:
  • Give non-verbal praise while watching groups (thumbs up, smile, nod)
  • Include specific praise about your Student Leaders when talking with students, in front of the Student Leaders. Go up to a group and say, "When Zephyr gave you each a chance to share your hypotheses, I was able to hear every student contribute to our scientific process," or, "I'm so glad Zephyr encouraged you to take a closer look — otherwise you might have missed this detail," or, "This group is so lucky to have someone like Zephyr who teaches with such enthusiasm!"
  • Let your Student Leaders struggle a bit, but not to the point where they hate field study or feel like a failure. Jump in an assist before it gets to that point.
  • Keep a vigilant eye out for missing equipment and cue cards. Make sure your Student Leaders have everything they need to teach each lesson successfully.

On Thursday:
  • Remind your Student Leaders to have some fun and make connections between the field studies.
  • This is their 4th day on field study, so they should be fairly comfortable by now, and it's the students' 4th day, too. They know the process at this point, and although focus is sometimes harder, the general field study procedure should be easier.