Written by Ivy Befeler, Burlington City & Lake Semester fellow

When I began college at UVM in the College of Education and Social Services, working in and out of the classroom, I found myself immersed in the foundations of teaching. The classrooms and lecture halls at UVM became the canvas where my childhood dreams of becoming a teacher began to take shape, laying the groundwork for the educator I would become. Coming from out of state, I marveled at the amazing teachers that let my classmates and I into their innovative classrooms. I felt like I was seeing more of the community of Burlington working to deeply engage students. 

The Place-Based Education Certificate at UVM provides an avenue into community-based teaching practices. As part of the Foundations in Place-Based Education (PBE) course, students observe Burlington educators and programs who embody place-based education. One of the programs I distinctly remember visiting was BCL. I remember thinking how great of an opportunity it is for high school students to explore the community in which they grew up in, but may not know very much about. 

For my final project in the Foundations of PBE course, I began working with some of the educators at Shelburne Farms, forming relationships and making connections. I then worked as a UVM Place-Based Education Fellow, guiding groups of kids over the summer involved in different camps at Shelburne Farms and furthering my partnership with community-based education. 

I began co-teaching in BCL as a Shelburne Farms Place-Based Education Fellow, helping facilitate instruction with students at the beginning of this year. With BCL’s lead community partner being Shelburne Farms, I am able to support the connection between Shelburne Farms and the Burlington School District. 

Now, four years after I had the opportunity to visit BCL with my UVM class and work with Shelburne Farms for the first time, I am one of BCL’s teachers, helping facilitate community understanding and fostering a sense of place within my students. 

The tradition of UVM Place-Based Certificate students coming to visit BCL continued this year. PBE students visited us at the ONE Center in November, and PBE students hosted us on UVM’s campus in December. Together, we connected high school students and college students diving deeper into our place: Burlington. 

As I reflect on this journey, it’s clear that my teaching degree, the UVM Place-Based Education Program, and Shelburne Farms are not disparate chapters but interconnected elements of a larger narrative. Through this personal exploration, I’ve come to appreciate the depth and breadth of what education can achieve when rooted in place and community. 

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We asked BCL students, what is Place-based Education to you?

In my personal experience, I have found that place based learning has more than anything allowed me to care for and feel connected and engaged to the material. Learning about the City I live in, its systems, problems, and people are all real and the work that we do in class often has a positive impact on what we are addressing.

– Adriel

To me, place based education is spending time with people in my community and learning from them firsthand.

– Bella

The past couple of weeks I’ve been reflecting on this semester with BCL, and one thing that stood out to me was how my sense of place has changed. I’ve lived in Burlington my whole life, but I feel like I was pretty disconnected and uninformed about the city until this year. Throughout the semester, we’ve met many people who have connections to this place, and contribute to its well-being. Through talking with our community partners who care deeply about our city and the land, I’ve gained a new appreciation for the place that I live in.

– Gillian

Place-Based Education means connecting and engaging with our land and community.

– Avi

Place Based Education to me is about learning about different spaces and trying to help improve them.

– Abbot