How to be a permaculture educator…
ARE YOU A PERMACULTURE PRESENTER – OR THINKING ABOUT BECOMING ONE?
…some tips to help you along.
- Use your textbook – “Permaculture – A Designer’s Manual” by Bill Mollison. That is what it is there for – don’t try to rewrite permaculture, just modify it to reflect your community. Use this book as your skeleton!
- Create two things to support EACH class:
- A guiding document (from which you teach)…displaying each topic in bullet point or short-explanation sentence form.
- A powerpoint with images to support your class. Ensure each image is shown in it’s correct place on your guiding document (from which you teach).
- A chalkboard or whiteboard – use this to support what you teach. I tell my students that if it’s important enough for me to write on the board – it’s important enough for them to write in their notebooks!
- Mix it up by including hands-on classes & group work. Ensure these have a solid theoretical foundation first, so people do not get lost in what is happening!
- Get used to your own voice. The best way to do this, is to practice voice warm-ups (singing & public speaking). After-all, the voice box is a muscle and needs care too!
- Want to take it to the next level? Join TOASTMASTERS, the original public speaking gurus!
…of course we ALL find our own style (that’s the magic of diversity on Earth) – this is just what I find useful. If you would like more information on my insights as a permaculture educator, feel free to contact me via email: c.laurikainen@live.com.au (from “Noosa Forest Retreat” permaculture education & community).
