Embodied and Outdoor Learning

Dania Barakat serves as a Kindergarten Teacher and Coordinator at Rawdat Al-Maareef Schools & College in Amman, Jordan. She is an educator with a deep passion for creating meaningful learning experiences that support her students’ holistic growth. With a rich background in early childhood education and Scouting, she strongly advocates for outdoor play in the Early Years, recognizing its power to build children’s physical, social, and emotional skills. 

Her experience as a Cubmaster and Den Leader profoundly influences this philosophy. By integrating outdoor exploration and embodied experiences into her practice, she helps children build confidence, improve coordination, learn to take appropriate risks, develop curiosity, and strengthen teamwork skills.

As an educator and Scout leader, Dania brings unique insights to the ECIS Embodied & Outdoor Learning Special Interest Group (SIG) community. She firmly believes that meaningful learning takes place beyond the classroom through real-world, experiential problem-solving. This perspective shapes her teaching practice, encouraging her to design dynamic, student-centered spaces that empower students to take ownership of their learning journey.

Dania views every challenge as an opportunity for personal and professional growth. She loves volunteering in her community and contributing to initiatives that empower young learners. Leading summer camps and serving as a scouting leader have been incredibly rewarding, allowing her to focus on exploring the great outdoors—a passion she loves sharing alongside her two sons. She is proud to collaborate with the ECIS network to build inclusive environments that inspire children to reach their full potential in school and beyond.

Radek is a biologist with a particular interest in botany and entomology. His passion for teaching developed after conducting research on parasitic flies in Kenya and while completing his PhD at the Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Poland.

For the past 20 years, he has taught high school biology at the International School of Krakow and has been an IBDP Biology teacher for most of that time. He believes that biology education is most meaningful when complemented by fieldwork and direct experiences in nature.

Nurturing students’ emotional connection with the natural world helps bring scientific knowledge to life and inspires future environmental stewardship. He is particularly interested in helping schools create authentic, place-based learning experiences that foster curiosity, ecological literacy, and a lasting connection with nature.

Beyond the classroom, Radek leads “Forest People,” an after-school club for middle and high school students focused on self-reliance, outdoor learning, and bushcraft skills. Through these experiences, students develop confidence, agency, and practical skills while building meaningful connections with the natural world. The program is currently evolving into a middle school elective course with dedicated outdoor facilities.

Radek’s other passions include thru-hiking, photography, and bushcraft. He enjoys spending time outdoors, whether leading workshops, exploring nature, or relaxing by a campfire.

Together with his wife, Alicja, he is the co-founder and manager of Motylarnia w Ulinie, a tropical butterfly exhibition and science education centre in southern Poland.

Karen Killeen is an international educator, inclusion advocate, nature dweller, artist, presenter and storyteller 

Karen is currently studying for a Doctorate of Education (EdD) with the University of East Anglia, UK. Her thesis explores how we can reimagine the meaning of inclusion through our connection with nature. Her fieldwork findings are developing into 3 key areas: Nostalgia, Kinship and Appreciation. It builds on the work of greats including Nora Bateson, Robin Wall Kimmerer and Joanna Macy.

A Forest School practitioner and presenter for nearly 20 years, she has successfully designed and delivered programmes in schools in the UK, China and Uganda and has presented these as case studies to an international audience. As a Learning Support leader, these programmes have supported her diverse student community in areas including: wellbeing issues, higher  support needs, neurodiverse, mobility difficulties and gifted and talented members.

Karen’s thesis for her MA in Special and Inclusive Education measured the positive impact of reading outdoors on wellbeing and academic progress, and this confirmed her understanding of the benefits of learning about and in nature.

Karen is based in Croatia and  works as a Learning Support Teacher at the American International School of Zagreb. She describes her role as holding space for colleagues, students and their families to create inclusive communities.

Kate Ringrose is the Outdoor Learning and Sustainability Lead for Primary at The British School of Brussels (BSB), where she champions the integration of outdoor learning across the curriculum. With over 33 years of experience teaching children of all ages, Kate is deeply passionate about fostering meaningful connections between students and the natural world, helping them develop environmental awareness, resilience, and a lifelong appreciation for outdoor spaces.

Kate has an extensive background in environmental education and sustainability, having worked in various advisory and teaching roles across multiple schools and organisations. Notably, she served as Manager of the Jane Goodall Institute in Hong Kong, where she played a pivotal role in conservation education initiatives.

Her professional qualifications include Forest School Leadership, Sustainable Practice, Natural History, and Climate Change Accreditation, and she has recently been recognised as a Registered Practitioner at the Institute for Outdoor Learning. Kate is a dedicated advocate for experiential, nature-based learning and is committed to embedding sustainability into school communities.

As a published writer on environmental education and outdoor learning, Kate has contributed to international discussions on sustainability through her speaking engagements. She has presented at The English Schools Foundation in Hong Kong, The Slow Food Movement, the British School of Brussels Sustainability Symposium, and has been a speaker for the Pachamama Alliance, and the ECIS & ISD ‘Nature’s Classroom’ conference among others.

When not teaching, advocating for the environment, or developing innovative outdoor learning strategies, Kate can often be found exploring in her campervan or obsessively crocheting—both pursuits deeply connected to her love of nature and mindful living.

Kate is excited to join the ECIS Embodied & Outdoor Learning SIG, where she looks forward to exchanging ideas, sharing best practices, and inspiring fellow educators to harness the power of outdoor learning.

An educator, Outdoor Education Coordinator, and inclusive leader who believes students come first. Committed to building strong relationships that support personalized learning and a thriving school community. Passionate about creating safe, innovative environments where students and educators are empowered to learn, take risks, and grow. Guided by the belief that we only protect what we care for; I see meaningful connections with nature as essential to developing globally minded, compassionate, and responsible citizens. Dedicated to nurturing future leaders through curiosity, collaboration, and a lifelong growth mindset.