This year at the Spring AEOE Conference in Malibu, Rick Mitchell was awarded the Howard Bell award. This award shows recognition and appreciation for the contribution that an individual has made to AEOE, and to the field of environmental & outdoor education. Rick Mitchell is a man who has touched so many people's lives: tens of thousands of 6th grade students, high school counselors, elementary school teachers, community members of Tulare County, and two decades of SCICON interns.
My own journey into the field of environmental/ outdoor education came about by accident, and was highly influenced by one particular human, Rick Mitchell. I was finishing my senior year in college, and needed to do an internship. I happened upon Myong-jae Kim, a second year intern representing SCICON, at the Cal Poly job fair and his enthusiasm for the program was so contagious that I decided to apply for the internship. That internship and the subsequent guidance of Rick Mitchell has led my path through 14 enriching years of involvement in AEOE and environmental & outdoor education throughout California. My story is just one of countless others, showing the effect one man can have on the lives of so many individuals.
Rick Mitchell came to SCICON (Tulare County's outdoor school - SCICON, outside of Springville, CA ) in 1981 as a naturalist; he returned in 1986 as the "Lead Teacher" after working the interim in the Fresno Unified School District. In 1989 Rick moved into his current position as the program director. Rick has been a stable connection between SCICON and the surrounding communities for two decades. He has successfully built community involvement and ownership into the program. Today, past SCICON attendees send their children to the program that inspired them in their youth. SCICON has had a huge effect on the County not only environmentally, but also socially. It's an experience shared by most of the residents of the county. Mention SCICON anywhere in Tulare County and you'll get a positive response: a story remembered from years ago, fresh enthusiasm from a recent attendee, maybe a family member eagerly anticipating an upcoming visit. Rick has also continued to strengthen the connection of local youth by developing a strong program for high school students to return as counselors, and created a partnership with Fresno Pacific University allowing college graduates to earn a teaching credential through a program that includes a yearlong internship at SCICON and a second year as a classroom teacher. This program has been running for 8 years, and has produced some amazing teachers. Under Rick's leadership and through the opportunities that he has fostered, the community connections continue to strengthen.
The SCICON internship itself is an amazing training program. Living and learning together away from it all, in the refuge that is SCICON, creates an amazingly strong bond not only with your group of interns but with all "externs" who have shared the magic of SCICON under Rick's tutelage. Deep friendships are formed, adventures shared, and lifelong relationships are formed, and many whom go on to get married! In a field where the turnover is constant, it is beautiful to see someone who never grows weary of offering challenge and direction to newcomers to the field. Rick is a person with a genuine and generous spirit who leads through example and subtle guidance.
Rick keeps in touch with all of us who choose to continue our SCICON connections. Many of us are on his e-mail list that tempts us with interesting jobs that come up throughout the field. And Rick will most certainly be there with a clear response to our qualifications, when the references are checked. I can't imagine the number of references given by Rick each year - I know he has given many for me over the years. Rick is a staunch supporter of all who successfully complete the internship at SCICON. He has played a part in influencing who we have all become, both professionally and personally. Thank you Rick!
Miss Rumphius would be proud... you have done your part to make the world a more beautiful place!
- Lisa Murphy, Liz and Ed Roberts
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