Making Essential Connections

2/5/2019

Kimberly Korona, MEd - Senior Program Director, HEART

HEART teaches educational programs that demonstrate how people, non-human animals, and the environment are interconnected. They cover a wide range of topics and challenge students to see how these different issues, at their core, are related. The aim of this session is to discuss the value of teaching humane education from a holistic perspective and provide examples of ways to make authentic connections in humane education programs, even when an organization has a mission with a very specific focus. Participants will also learn about HEART's new initiative, the HEART Network, specifically designed to support animal adoption centers, rescue groups, and sanctuaries in their efforts to either start a humane education program or expand their current curriculum. The Network will offer essential tips, tools, and resources for developing and maintaining successful programming on animal protection issues and will discuss how these issues connect to both people and our environment.

About our Speaker:
Kim Korona received her BA from Goddard College and MEd from Cambridge College in affiliation with the Institute for Humane Education. Kim previously worked as a humane educator for the Michigan Humane Society, developing and teaching animal protection programs. For the past decade, she has worked at HEART, and currently serves as their Senior Program Director. At HEART, she has developed curricula, taught humane education programs for youth of all ages in various venues, and conducted professional development trainings for educators. Throughout Kim's life she has been involved in social justice, animal protection, and environmental ethics work, including starting an Amnesty International chapter at her college, leading a "Rice not Bombs" campaign and "Fast for Peace" to protest war, and interning at the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps and Farm Sanctuary. Kim currently volunteers for VegMichigan and serves on the board of the Humane Education Coalition.

Links and Resources:

HEART Resource Guides

HEART Network

13 Comments

Stephanie

2/5/2019 06:46:48 pm

This was an excellent session and highlighted the need to understand that each person will come to every issue with their own personal context. I really like how Kim framed meeting the learner where they are and helping them build the bridge between various humane issues.

Kim Korona

2/5/2019 07:12:27 pm

Thank you so much Stephanie! Yes, it is so important, in both education and advocacy, to meet people where they are at. It is fundamental in creating a safe space for open and honest dialogue, where we can then work to build authentic connections between humane issues.

Maggie Lantzy

2/5/2019 07:11:20 pm

Hi Kim, I really appreciated your message in this session. As a social worker, I often hear the "why should we focus on animals when we still have so many issues that people are facing?" I loved the examples you provided on how to start with the focus then broaden the topic, and really appreciate the story you told in the beginning in the end. I will definitely be going back through our lesson plans to see how we can be more comprehensive in all topics! Thank you for sharing!

2/5/2019 07:16:44 pm

Thank you so much for the wonderful work that you do Maggie! I am thrilled to hear that you are going to see if there are ways that you can add a comprehensive lens to your lessons. Please let me know if you need anything. Keep up the wonderful work that you do.

2/6/2019 08:17:34 am

Thanks Kim! I think HEART and its staff are role models as humane educators so I am happy to learn from you and work with you on projects!

Jennie Baxla

2/5/2019 07:15:46 pm

Great session! I really appreciate this perspective, especially when faced so often with comments like, "why do you care about THAT when THIS is going on?" The connection is so important!

2/5/2019 07:21:13 pm

Thank you so much Jennie! There is no limit to the amount of compassion that we can hold in our hearts. I believe there is enough of us to work on all the problems we are concerned about in the world, and if we work on those problems, while keeping others and the natural world into consideration, we can create a world that works for all. It is not always easy, because the needs of one may come at the expense of another, but we can aim to take everyone's needs, feelings, and well-being into account, and aim to do our utmost to find actions that do the most good, and the least harm (MOGO - Zoe Weil).

Carlette Jewell link

2/6/2019 10:20:43 am

That was awesome, Kim! I am looking forward to the network launch.

2/6/2019 01:36:38 pm

Hi Carlette, so nice to hear from you and thank you! Just so you know the free HEART Network has actually already launched! You can register for it today - visit: http://teachheart.org/network/

Judy Crumpton

2/6/2019 02:12:54 pm

Hi Km, Your session was outstanding! The stories/examples you shared to show the interconnection of people, non-human animals and our environment were so well communicated as were all of the messages in the session. Thank you!

2/6/2019 03:43:01 pm

Thank you so much Judy; that really means a lot! I truly appreciate your feedback.

Zoe Weil link

2/7/2019 12:52:54 pm

Kim, this was such a great presentation that so eloquently and beautifully showed us all how regardless of what our focus might be, our humane education work can always be made comprehensive through essential questions, real world connections, critical thinking, and imagining win-win-win (people-animals-plant) solutions. Thanks for the shout-out to our vision of "solutionary solutions" and for all that you do. The children you reach through your work and teaching are so lucky. I loved the story of the girl who didn't want to learn about animals, and your beautiful, compassionate response to her. I have also found that it is often the most vocally negative students initially who became the greatest advocates and activists in short order. Thanks for all you and HEART do!

2/7/2019 03:25:56 pm

Thank you so much Zoe! I have been the lucky one, to teach so many youth throughout the years and to learn so much from them. It never ceases to amaze me, that in such a short period of time, how often someone is willing to open their hearts and minds with a little awareness, the opportunity to question, and the chance to practice perspective-taking. It really comes down to our direct and indirect relationships with ourselves, others and our world - Thanks to you and IHE for all you do as well!

HUMANE SUMMIT 2019