How One Field Trip Builds Memories,Meaning, and Community

In this episode of TandL Talks,host Nancy shines a spotlight on one of the Puyallup School District’s mosttreasured learning spaces: the Karshner Museum and Center for Culture &Arts. Joined by Karen Higgins, Museum and Arts Coordinator, and Dawn Meyerhoff,the museum’s field trip teacher, Nancy explores how this one-of-a-kind museumcreates unforgettable learning experiences for students across grade levels.

From hands-on artifacts and globalexhibits to the legendary elephant foot that generations still remember, theconversation dives into what makes a Karshner Museum field trip so impactful.Listeners will hear how museum experiences align with Washington State learningstandards, build background knowledge, support diverse learners, and helpstudents see both themselves and others reflected in the learning.

You’ll also learn what a typical fieldtrip feels like from a student’s perspective, how families continue thelearning by returning together, and how community events keep culture, history,and the arts alive beyond the school day. Whether you’re a teacher planningahead, a family looking for a meaningful local experience, or someone who stillremembers your own childhood visit, this episode is a celebration of curiosity,connection, and community.

In this episode of TandL Talks, Nancy and co-host Ann Schumacher, elementary science instructional coach, sit down with Sunrise Elementary fourth grade teachers Jenna Kinne, Abby Seay, and Chelsea Wilkinson Walker to unpack one of the most beloved experiences in the district: the fourth grade salmon hatchery field trip.

From life cycle charts and “wait… the alevin are that small?!” moments to feeding frenzies at the tanks, they share how this trip turns science standards into something unforgettable.

The group dives into how the hatchery experience deepens student understanding of habitats, adaptations, and local ecosystems, and how it connects directly to social studies, the Puyallup Tribe, and a growing sense of place. They also talk about family engagement—parents chaperoning, younger siblings already excited for “their turn,” and the ripple effect of kids bringing their families back to the hatchery on weekends.

As one teacher shares, “The amount of parents that were like, ‘I didn’t even know this was over here,’ and they’ve lived here all their life… it was awesome.”

You’ll hear practical tips for making the most of the pre-trip lessons, what surprised students (and teachers!), and why this partnership between schools, the hatchery, and community volunteers is so special. If you care about field experiences, place-based learning, or just want a feel-good story about kids, salmon, and community, this one’s for you.

In this episode of TandL Talks, Nancy sits down with three members of the district’s math cadre —Tracy Tsujii (3rd grade, Waller Road), Preston Gillihan (5th grade, Mountain View), and Kim Douglas (kindergarten, Firgrove) — for a post-cadre debrief while the learning is still fresh and the reflections are real.

Together, they unpack what great math instruction can look like from kindergarten through fifth grade:

how early relationships and “that one teacher” shaped them as mathematicians

why math fluency is about flexibility and understanding, not just “fast, fast, fast” recall

the power of manipulatives and movement — from Play-Doh spheres to volume with cubes

using tools like Magma Math to surface thinking and discourse, not replace teachers

building “thinking classrooms” with vertical whiteboards where every student has to engage

They also talk candidly about stepping up as cadre leaders, the reality of leaving their classrooms for district work, and their shared hope that every child grows up seeing themselves as a mathematician.

“Wouldn’t it be great if every single kid walked out of our schools feeling like they’re a math person?”

If you’ve ever wondered how to make math more joyful, more inclusive, and more about thinking than worksheets, this conversation will give you both inspiration and practical ideas for your next lesson.