Feeling rooted in community is essential to quality outcomes of children. “A community provides an important relationship environment; promotes belonging, a sense of identity and learning; supports active participation in the world and continuity of learning; and connects children and families to supportive relationship and resource networks”.

This past year we were able to engage with an incredible number of community members who shared their expertise with us. Though most of these awesome people weren’t formal educators, they taught us valuable skills and lessons we’ll not soon forget. I’m not an expert in Bozeman history, but Crystal at the Gallatin Historical Society is. I can’t throw pottery, sew or articulate the correlation between the colors in hot springs and their microbial makeup, let alone teach those skills, but we found people who can and were happy to pass their knowledge onto us!

Every time we met a new expert or business owner, the students’ community network expanded, and they witnessed adults engaging in our world authentically. We fell in love with the landscaper who taught us graffiti on his lunch break. We met a family who works together to raise Alpacas and sell products locally. Ms. Ying from the World Language Institute shared her cultural knowledge with us and taught us the basics of Mandarin. An ex-navy seal taught us bear awareness/safety and introduced us to a charming mountain man who raised a film star Grizzly bear just 25 minutes from our school. We assisted local farmers in harvesting for the Food Bank. A local chef & entrepreneur led us in learning the basics of baking and cooking, never batting an eye when we dropped and egg or confused tablespoons and teaspoons. The list goes on…and I look forward to building and maintaining relationships like these moving forward.

Another inspiring takeaway: You can make a living doing what you love!

Check out the full list of the friends we made below.