Empathy, Reconciliation, & Action

Mural by Nelle Rhicard, graphic recorder of Reframe Ideas

Citation: Ernst, J., Underwood, C., & Nayquonabe, T. (2025). Empathy, Reconciliation, and Sustainability Action: An Evaluation of a Three-Year Community of Practice with Early Educators. Sustainability, 17(19), 8686. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17198686

Early childhood educators are integral to shaping the knowledge, values, skills, and behaviors of young children, which in turn contribute to a more sustainable future. This qualitative evaluation reports on a three-year community of practice of 15 early educators focusing on land-based pedagogy in early education for sustainability contexts. Findings suggest participation influenced educators’ dispositions, knowledge, and teaching practices (their ways of being, knowing, and doing). Educators also provided insight into elements that made this form of professional learning impactful. We offer reflections regarding the use of the community of practice approach, stemming from these findings, which may be useful for other providers in their efforts to plan, implement, and evaluate professional learning for early education for sustainability in culturally responsive and sustaining ways.