Dr. Diane's Adventures in Learning

🎧 Adventures in Learning with Dr. Diane 🎧 Inspire curiosity. Spark creativity. Fuel a lifelong love of learning. Are you an educator, librarian, parent, or STEM/STEAM enthusiast looking to make learning come alive for kids? Adventures in Learning with Dr. Diane is your go-to podcast for hands-on, joyful learning that connects STEM/STEAM education , multicultural children's literature , and real-world exploration . Join Dr. Diane Jackson Schnoor , educator and explorer, as she travels the world (literally and virtually!) to bring you conversations with award-winning authors , illustrators , educators , scientists , and STEM leaders . Each episode delivers fresh ideas, engaging stories, and practical tips to inspire early childhood and elementary learners —in the classroom, the library, or at home. Wonder, curiosity, connection, and play -- we bring the world to

Dr. Diane's Adventures in Learning is a education podcast hosted by Dr Diane Jackson Schnoor, with 201 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Dr Diane Jackson Schnoor hosts Dr. Diane's Adventures in Learning, a education show with 201 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #203

  A Not So Perfect Start: Building Caring Classroom Communities with Author Trudy Ludwig

  Aug 18, 202631 min

  What if the best start to a school year is not a perfect one, but a caring one? In Episode 203 of the Adventures in Learning podcast, Dr. Diane welcomes back author Trudy Ludwig to talk about her new picture book, A Not So Perfect Start — the first title in her new The Caring Classroom series. Trudy’s books have long helped children, families, and educators make the invisible visible, exploring topics like big feelings, anxiety, perfectionism, friendship challenges, empathy, belonging, and the courage to try again. On Episode 203, we explore how classrooms become true communities, why mistakes are essential to growth, and how books and play can help children practice the social-emotional skills they need to navigate a complicated world. In this conversation, Trudy offers practical wisdom for the new school year, including suggestions for empower tools to help children respond to and navigate hurtful behaviors. Her central message is one every child (and grown up) needs to hear. We all want to feel valued, seen, and heard. Chapters 01:42 Making the invisible visible through story 02:25 Introducing A Not So Perfect Start and The Caring Classroom 04:14 Being in a community vs. being part of one 05:49 The SEL needs educators asked Trudy to address 08:46 Anxiety, perfectionism, and emotional resilience 12:42 Literature, play, and practicing big feelings safely 16:41 Trudy’s “empower tools” for responding to hurtful behavior 20:59 Bringing A Not So Perfect Start into schools this year 22:11 Resources for creating a caring classroom community 25:34 When students write the next chapter 28:31 Why kids are bringing Trudy hope Why listen Discover why A Not So Perfect Start is a timely read-aloud for preschool and early elementary students. Learn how stories can help children build emotional vocabulary, resilience, and a stronger sense of belonging. Hear practical ideas for using picture books, role-play, story walks, and student-created sequels to make social-emotional learning active and meaningful. Take away Trudy’s age-appropriate “empower tools” for responding to rudeness, meanness, and bullying. Links and resources Listen to Trudy Ludwig’s first appearance on Episode 8 of the Adventures in Learning podcast Purchase A Not So Perfect Start and check out Trudy's catalog of books Find classroom activities and lesson plans for Trudy’s books Visit Trudy Ludwig ’s website Call to action Start the school year by choosing care over perfection. Read A Not So Perfect Start with your students or family, then invite children to talk about the moments when they feel worried about making mistakes. Make space for them to name big feelings, practice an “empower tool,” create a class community agreement, or write the next chapter for one of Trudy’s characters. A caring classroom is not a room where everything goes perfectly. It is a place where every child knows that mistakes are part of learning, and that they belong while they figure things out. Support the show Share this episode If this conversation sparked wonder, gave you a helpful strategy, or offered a needed reminder of hope, please share it with a friend or colleague. Subscribe • Download • Review • Tell a friend Stay updated with our latest episodes and follow us on Instagram , LinkedIn , and the Adventures in Learning website . Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , or wherever you get your podcasts! *Disclosure: I am a Bookshop.org. affiliate.

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  Episode #202

  Language, Literacy, and the Power of “Yes, And”: Teaching Multilingual Learners with Tan Huynh and Beth Skelton

  Aug 11, 202641 min

  How do we help multilingual learners move beyond giving the right answer to communicating like scientists, historians, readers, writers, and thinkers? In Episode 202 of the Adventures in Learning podcast, Dr. Diane welcomes Beth Skelton and Tan Huynh for a deeply practical, joy-filled conversation about making language instruction more explicit, more integrated, and more human for all learners. Beth and Tan share strategies from their work with experienced multilingual learners, including the “input-output loop,” intentional chunking, sentence-pattern charts, and planning backward from the language students need in order to show what they know. Whether you teach early childhood, elementary, middle, or high school, this episode offers concrete ways to keep expectations high while giving every learner the tools they need to reach the mountaintop. Along the way, we talk about collaboration, the importance of teaching students how to respond to academic prompts such as describe , contrast , and explain , and why compassion in education does not mean lowering the bar. It means building a better trail — with more ropes, poles, supports, and opportunities for every student to climb. Why listen Learn how to integrate language development into the content you already teach. Explore strategies that help multilingual learners write, speak, read, and think with greater precision. Hear classroom-ready examples using science concepts, picture books, gestures, sentence patterns, and structured quick writes. Take away a powerful approach to collaboration as you lead with curiosity, connection, and “yes, and.” Chapters 01:04 What multilingual learners need from schools 03:49 Why academic language must be taught explicitly 05:01 Helping students sound like scientists 07:34 Supporting experienced multilingual learners beyond the plateau 10:16 From reading a text to writing with purpose 13:19 Bringing intentional language into early childhood learning 15:17 The input-output loop: short chunks, meaningful processing 18:45 Sentence-pattern charts for content and language together 22:20 Keep the mountaintop high; give students more tools to climb 25:50 Teaching literacy instead of only assigning literacy tasks 30:20 Teaching students what prompts like “describe” and “explain” require 32:06 From social media connection to a powerful co-author partnership 33:32 “Yes, and”: collaboration that builds relationships 37:37 What brings Beth and Tan hope Links and resources Look for Beth Skelton and Tan Huynh ’s work, including Long-Term Success for Experienced Multilinguals and I ntegrated Literacy for Experienced Multilinguals . Listen to Beth's appearance on Episode 109 of the Adventures in Learning podcast. Listen to Tan's Teaching ML's Podcast. Call to action Listen with a notebook nearby, because Beth and Tan offer ideas you can try immediately. Choose one upcoming lesson, identify the language students will need to express the content, and build in one small input-output loop: a short chunk of learning, a chance to gesture, talk, draw, write, or reflect, and a clear pathway for students to put their thinking into words. The mountain stays high. Our job is to make sure more students have what they need to climb it. Support the show Share this episode If this conversation sparked wonder, gave you a helpful strategy, or offered a needed reminder of hope, please share it with a friend or colleague. Subscribe • Download • Review • Tell a friend Stay updated with our latest episodes and follow us on Instagram , LinkedIn , and the Adventures in Learning website . Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , or wherever you get your podcasts! *Disclosure: I am a Bookshop.org. affiliate.

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  Episode #201

  Travel That Cares: Bryn Geddes on Sustainable Adventures with Road Scholar

  Aug 4, 202638 min

  What does it mean to travel in a way that leaves places better than we found them? In Episode 201 of the Adventures in Learning podcast, Dr. Diane sits down with Bryn Geddes , Senior Manager of Program Sustainability at Road Scholar, for a conversation that feels both practical and deeply personal. I've been fascinated by Road Scholar since I traveled to Antarctica with them -- and am delighted to bring this conversation home to you. We talk about what sustainable travel really looks like on the ground, the everyday choices that add up, and how an organization with almost 800 itineraries in 100 countries is weaving care for people and planet into every trip. Bryn shares how Road Scholar is moving beyond a few “green” programs to a whole-company approach: auditing itineraries, training teams and group leaders, and setting standards that protect wildlife, reduce waste, and support local communities. She also reflects on her own path from archaeology to sustainable tourism, what makes Road Scholar’s culture unique, and why curiosity and critical thinking are at the heart of meaningful travel. From plastic water bottles to linen changes, from Patagonia to the Civil Rights Trail, this episode is a warm, hopeful look at how we can explore the world with more humility, more respect, and more long-term impact. If you’ve ever wondered how to travel in a way that aligns with your values — or if you just love hearing stories about people who are building a better kind of tourism — this conversation is for you. Chapters 00:00 Welcome and the promise of travel 01:20 Bryn’s role and Road Scholar’s sustainability mission 03:45 What sustainable travel really means 09:30 Cultural sustainability and local communities 10:13 Road Scholar’s long-term sustainability plan 12:48 Meeting travelers where they are 14:44 Luxury, convenience, and behavior change in hotels 20:06 Bryn’s path from archaeology to sustainable tourism 24:38 What makes Road Scholar special 27:18 Favorite trips and bucket-list destinations 29:39 The Civil Rights Trail and immersive travel 31:12 Humility, curiosity, and intergenerational travel 33:03 Serving travelers 50+ and the next generation 35:33 What’s bringing Bryn hope right now 37:25 Closing and where to learn more Links and resources Learn more about Road Scholar: Road Scholar Explore Road Scholar’s sustainability efforts: Road Scholar Sustainability Call to action Listen to the full episode, explore Road Scholar’s programs, and on your next trip, try one small sustainable change: carry a refillable water bottle, ask about towel and linen policies at your hotel, or choose a locally owned business for a meal or tour. This conversation is a reminder that travel can be an act of care — for the places we visit, the people who live there, and the future we all share. Support the show Share this episode If this conversation sparked wonder, gave you a helpful strategy, or offered a needed reminder of hope, please share it with a friend or colleague. Subscribe • Download • Review • Tell a friend Stay updated with our latest episodes and follow us on Instagram , LinkedIn , and the Adventures in Learning website . Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , or wherever you get your podcasts! *Disclosure: I am a Bookshop.org. affiliate.

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  Episode #199

  Rangers, Resilience, and Hope with Sibiya Siyabonga | Wild Tomorrow, Part 4

  Jul 21, 202650 min

  What does it take to protect wildlife when the work is dangerous, the stakes are high, and hope has to be built every single day? In Episode 199 of the Adventures in Learning Podcast , Dr. Diane Jackson Schnoor continues the Wild Tomorrow series with Assistant Reserve Manager Sibiya Siyabonga for an honest and deeply human conversation about ranger life, anti-poaching work, community trust, and the courage it takes to protect animals that cannot protect themselves. This is Part 4 in the Wild Tomorrow story, and it follows the earlier episodes with John Steward and Wendy Hapgood , Aphiwe Notshaya , and Kevin Jolliffe . Siya shares how he came to Wild Tomorrow, what he learned as a ranger and firefighter, and why conservation depends not only on fences and patrols but also on relationships, training, and collaboration with the people who live closest to the land. Listeners will hear about the daily realities of ranger work, including listening posts, ambushes, tracking, teamwork, and the difficult balance between protecting wildlife and understanding the human pressures around poaching. Most of all, this episode is a reminder that conservation is not abstract; it is personal, practical, and often risky work carried out by people who love the land enough to guard it. As we approach World Ranger Day on July 31 , this episode feels especially timely. It’s a chance to honor the men and women who protect natural heritage on the front lines, and to support the Wild Tomorrow fundraiser that helps make their work safer, stronger, and more sustainable. Chapters 00:01 Hope in the sounds of the bush 01:18 Meet Sibiya Siyabonga 01:53 From firefighting to ranger work 03:22 What a ranger does every day 05:55 Building trust with community leaders 08:59 Creating different paths forward 10:02 A recent poaching arrest 17:35 Protecting animals that cannot protect themselves 18:09 The dangers rangers face 23:06 Why poachers take bigger risks 25:08 Rangers as conservation’s backbone 27:25 What rangers need most 31:03 Ranger numbers and team structure 33:25 Working with neighboring reserves 35:45 Training the next generation of rangers 41:07 Why Siya keeps doing this work 46:22 What brings Siya hope 48:26 Closing and call to action Key moments Siya explains that his job is to protect animals that cannot protect themselves. Ranger work includes patrols, listening posts, ambushes, tracking, and hard choices. Building trust with communities is part of conservation, not separate from it. The reserve depends on collaboration with neighboring properties and shared intelligence. Hope comes from nature, from the next generation, and from the chance to make a difference. Call to action Download and listen to Episode 199 of Adventures in Learning to hear the full conversation and continue the Wild Tomorrow series. If Siya’s story moved you, please consider supporting the Wild Tomorrow Rangers with a donation and honoring the work of rangers this World Ranger Day season. Links and resources John Steward and Wendy Hapgood : From Boots to a Wildlife Corridor: The Wild Tomorrow Story Aphiwe Notshaya: People, Preschoolers, and Planet Kevin Jolliffe : Rewilding, Restoration, and Hope Learn More About the Wild Tomorrow Rangers Donate to Support the Rangers Learn more about World Ranger Day About Sibiya Siyabonga Sibiya Siyabonga is Assistant Reserve Manager at Wild Tomorrow. Siya joins the reserve from KZN Ezemvelo Wildlife’s Tembe Elephant Park, where he served as an Advance Field Ranger. During his time there, Siya was involved in successful confrontations with poachers. He also holds certificates in firefighting, field training and firearms, and reserve guardianship. #AdventuresInLearning #WildTomorrow #SibiyaSiyabonga #Siya #Rangers #Conservation #AntiPoaching #WildlifeProtection #CommunityConservation #NatureRestoration #SouthAfrica #EnvironmentalEducation #LearningThroughNature #WonderCuriosityConnection #PodcastEpisode #HopeInTheWild #WorldRangerDay Support the show Share this episode If this conversation sparked wonder, gave you a helpful strategy, or offered a needed reminder of hope, please share it with a friend or colleague. Subscribe • Download • Review • Tell a friend Stay updated with our latest episodes and follow us on Instagram , LinkedIn , and the Adventures in Learning website . Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , or wherever you get your podcasts! *Disclosure: I am a Bookshop.org. affiliate.

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  Episode #198

  Rewilding, Restoration, and Hope: Kevin Jolliffe and the Wild Tomorrow Story

  Jul 14, 202634 min

  What does it look like when conservation becomes a long view, a daily practice, and a promise to the future? In Episode 198 of the Adventures in Learning Podcast, Dr. Diane Jackson Schnoor welcomes Kevin Jolliffe , reserve manager at Wild Tomorrow , for a rich conversation about rewilding, restoration, community partnership, and the patience it takes to care for a landscape over time. In Part 3 of the Wild Tomorrow series, Kevin shares how a childhood rooted in nature grew into a career in conservation that has taken him around the world and back again. From sea turtles in the Seychelles to habitat restoration in South Africa, he reflects on what it means to steward land, manage wildlife, and think in terms of generations rather than quick fixes. This episode also continues the Wild Tomorrow story through the lens of balance and hope. Kevin and Dr. Diane talk about what it means to let nature lead when appropriate, step in when human action caused the harm, and support the surrounding community as part of the larger conservation mission. If you’ve loved the earlier Wild Tomorrow conversations with co-founders John Steward and Wendy Hapgood , and community conservation manager Aphiwe Notshaya , this episode deepens that story in a meaningful way. Chapters 01:19 A childhood in nature 02:45 Studying conservation and meeting his wife 03:33 Work in the Seychelles and the Bahamas 04:56 How Kevin joined Wild Tomorrow 05:56 What a reserve manager does 06:53 A "typical day" on the reserve 08:42 Rewilding the land 10:15 Man-made problems and nature’s balance 13:05 Species brought back to the reserve 14:37 Anti-poaching and community partnership 16:29 Working with local herders and land use 19:32 Nursery work and growing trees 21:22 Reconnecting with nature 24:23 Quiet moments with hippos 27:01 How to care about conservation 29:34 Thinking in generations, not instant fixes 30:24 Favorite trees, birds, and animals 32:02 What gives Kevin hope About Kevin Jolliffe Kevin was born in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. His early holidays with his aunt and uncle in Hluhluwe sparked his love for Zululand and determined the career he would later pursue. As the youngest of five siblings and the odd man out with the neighbourhood children, Kevin developed a passion for nature. Afternoons were spent exploring the Botanic Gardens where he honed his bird watching skills, collected butterflies and developed an interest in plants, including collecting and growing orchids at the age of seven, becoming the youngest orchid grower in South Africa for over 10 years. Kevin is currently writing and illustrating a book on the orchids of KZN and his vast knowledge has been put to good use while working with the Pollination Ecology department at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Kevin was always determined to work in nature conservation. He attained a National Diploma in Nature Conservation from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, where he met his conservationist wife. They have been working together ever since. He has worked at government run, Ndumo Game Reserve as well as a number of private reserves in KZN, the Western and Eastern Cape, Swaziland and Limpopo provinces. He was the conservation manager for Cousine Island in the Seychelles for five 5 years conducting in-depth monitoring of nesting Hawksbill sea turtles, sea birds and endangered land birds. From there he took up the position of landscape manager in the Bahamas, before returning to South Africa to manage a private nature reserve in the Western Cape. He is now proudly Wild Tomorrow Fund’s Reserve Manager at The Greater Ukuwela Nature Reserve. Links and resources Learn more about Dr. Diane's Adventures in Learning: drdianadventures.com Explore Wild Tomorrow and follow on Instagram and LinkedIn Listen to the Wild Tomorrow Series, featuring John Steward and Wendy Hapgood and Aphiwe Notshaya Join Wild Tomorrow for the Junior Wildlife Crime Scene Detective Event on July 20, 2026 Support the show Share this episode If this conversation sparked wonder, gave you a helpful strategy, or offered a needed reminder of hope, please share it with a friend or colleague. Subscribe • Download • Review • Tell a friend Stay updated with our latest episodes and follow us on Instagram , LinkedIn , and the Adventures in Learning website . Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , or wherever you get your podcasts! *Disclosure: I am a Bookshop.org. affiliate.

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