Connie Spellman Nature Classroom

On Tuesday, Oct. 6, John Gottschalk and College of Saint Mary (CSM) dedicated the new Connie Spellman Nature Classroom. The former Omaha World-Herald CEO and publisher, together with the Dr. C.C. and Mabel Criss Memorial Foundation donated the funds for the classroom, located at the Spellman Child Development Center on the CSM campus.

Gottschalk, joined by Connie Spellman, children from the center and their parents, faculty and staff for a blessing and ribbon-cutting ceremony. The new outdoor space creates another opportunity for the children to discover and learn outside of the classroom.

The open area includes green space, as well as planted areas with spruce trees, daylilies, hostas and native grasses. The design of the space incorporates a rich mix of activity areas. A winding path meanders through Messy Material, Movement and Music, Nature Art and Climbing areas, which promote healthy interaction with the natural world. A wrought iron fence encloses the classroom overlooking Aksarben Village and Little Papio Creek greenway.

Research has shown that children’s interaction with nature helps them develop powers of observation and creativity, and fosters language and collaborative skills. In fact, children who learn in nature classrooms learn skills across all learning domains. The new Connie Spellman Nature Classroom is one of only a handful of its kind in the Omaha area. Paperwork is being filed to have the classroom certified by Nature Explore, a collaborative program of the Arbor Day Foundation and Dimensions Educational Research Foundation.

Photo Caption: Connie Spellman and John Gottschalk on Oct. 6, cut the ceremonial ribbon on the new Connie Spellman Nature Classroom. Gottschalk donated the funds to honor his long-time friend's work in early childhood education.