Rebecca Brinkman, a fourth-grade teacher in Maricopa County, wanted to transform how her students connected to learning, community, and nature.

Through CommunityShare’s National Educator Fellowship, Brinkman found support, inspiration, and confidence to reach out to her community and create a project that would take learning beyond the classroom and into Saguaro National Park. “Through the fellowship, we did breakout groups where we talked with other educators, shared our projects, and lifted each other up. Jil [CommunityShare Learning Designer], instilled a lot of confidence and it felt good knowing she had our back throughout the experience.”

Brinkman’s students began by researching national parks and connecting with park rangers through writing mailed letters as well as meeting virtually to learn about conservation, local wildlife, nearby ecosystems, and careers in public lands. One student became inspired to become a park ranger, saying, “I want to get all the badges for all the parks.”

The culminating experience was a field trip to Saguaro National Park – a place many students and families had never visited. Students also earned their Junior Ranger badges as symbols of their commitment to stewarding and caring for natural spaces. Students also received free park passes through a program for 4th graders, creating opportunities for families to continue their learning in the future.

The impact extended beyond the trip. Student attendance improved noticeably. “Some students boosted their attendance after this project,” Brinkman said. One student who had frequently missed school told her, “I want to keep doing learning like this, and I’m going to try to come to school every day on time.” And he did.

What started as a writing assignment became something more—a project that strengthened student voice, family engagement, and a sense of purpose rooted in community.

25 Students Impacted

4 months

• Content Areas: Writing, Social Studies
• Life & Workforce Skills: Communication