Devon Bowker, special education science teacher at Roosevelt Education Center, aka @devthenatureguy, has a passion for wildlife, the outdoors and the environmental sciences. His style of combining nature and the outdoors with indoor experiments and technology brings a whole new engaging aspect to education.
His enthusiasm for the outdoors started at a young age.
“When I think back on life and the things you were interested in,” says Bowker, “it’s sort of a ‘How did I not know?’ I was in to ‘Crocodile Hunter‘ … and Bill Nye. When I first went to college it was actually for history education. That lasted for all of about a month before I found out there was a wildlife program and I started to go for wildlife biology.”
He earned his first degree from St. Cloud State University (SCSU) in wildlife biology. While he finished his internship in Texas, he landed an outdoor education position where he led hikes and programs to teach groups about the environment. He loved being outdoors and educating people.
Bowker later went on to work as a naturalist for the Department of Natural Resources and then as a park ranger for the United States Army Corps of Engineers. He eventually moved on to Howling for Wolves, a wolf research and conservatory that collaborates with the Center for Biological Diversity.
“After about a year [with the wolf center], I had that itch again,” explains Bowker. “I thought, ‘my major passion with this is the education piece.’ Working with people and the community, working with kids, I wanted to go back to school to be a teacher. So, I went back to school for science education.”
Bowker obtained his second degree, again at SCSU, and began as a science teacher with St. Cloud Area School District.
“I love it,” says Bowker. “When I first came across the opportunity, I wasn’t sure what to expect … in a level four EBD (emotional and behavioral disorder) setting. I’m just – every day, even on the hard days, so happy that [Roosevelt] is the place that I found. The kids are great. Every one of them is unique and genius and bright in their own way. I feel blessed to work with them every day.”
Roosevelt allows him to do more in terms of hands-on and experiential learning. The class sizes are much smaller, so he’s able to go more in-depth with learning and conversation.
“I really have the opportunity to explore the students’ interests,” shares Bowker, “and not just my frame of reference for everything. I can take anything from bio or physics and tie into what they’re interested in. … We have the ability to explore and keep the passion alive.”
Keeping the fervor for science alive is exactly what it’s all about for Bowker. When he isn’t teaching science in the classroom, he’s teaching it to his family and the community.
Bowker’s website, The Wild Life, features blogs and weekly podcasts educating the community about animals, environmental concepts and ideas, and includes interviews with environmental experts.
“I’ve always been really interested in technology,” says Bowker. “Part of that is probably the fact that my dad works in IT. He was always exploring the next new thing and upcoming technology. I was always watching along and learning. There is always something new. I like what it allows for – just so much access. Technology allows for virtual reality and 360-degree tours around the world. It’s a gateway … that traditional teaching doesn’t allow for in the same way.”
As a naturalist, Bowker believes his audience can leave whenever they want. As a teacher, they can’t. So, he strives for content that keeps everyone engaged, students and community.
One of his lessons during online learning is to create a podcast. It is something new, and he is excited to see what his students produce.
When Bowker isn’t teaching, writing, or researching and recording podcasts, he is outdoors with his family. Coincidentally, his wife, Chelsea Bowker and language arts teacher at Tech High School, aka @teacherwhohikes loves the outdoors as well.
“We spend a lot of time outside,” says Bowker. “We have two kids and my oldest is almost four. His birthday is Earth Day. It was meant to happen! He loves being outside. Sometimes it’s hard to go hiking with him because he stops every five seconds because he finds something new, but it’s so great to watch because he’s so interested.”
Bowker’s passion for science blossoms through the curious eyes of his two children.
“It’s [teaching] my thing,” says Bowker. “For a while … I never felt quite settled or found what I was looking for. A large part of me being a teacher was taking a step back and realizing the common thing with everything … what ignited that spark was the education piece. I just really feel like I found what I’m supposed to do.”
Now, Bowker takes the step forward toward his future and his students and will continue to teach science in his own unique style.
Follow Bowker’s Instagram account @devonthenatureguy to watch his science experiments in his classroom.
You must be logged in to post a comment.