Ashley Andrews, a dedicated early childhood educator at MacArthur Early Childhood Center in Macomb, is known for her passion for creating meaningful learning experiences. With over 14 years of experience, she has taught in various roles, including preschool general education, inclusive classrooms, and now as a self-contained special education teacher. But her latest initiative—an outdoor classroom—is a visionary project that reflects her commitment to nurturing young minds through nature-based learning.

Ashley’s journey with the outdoor classroom began with a simple but powerful idea: reconnect children with the natural world. “Kids just aren’t outside as much as they used to be,” she notes, reflecting on how screen time and busy family schedules have shifted childhood norms. For Ashley, the outdoors is a place where unstructured play and exploration spark creativity, build functional skills, and foster a sense of wonder.

The outdoor classroom, designed in collaboration with Nature Explore, aims to transform an underutilized space on MacArthur’s campus into a dynamic learning environment. The area will include designated zones for music and movement, gardening, building with large loose parts, and sensory exploration. “We’re essentially taking the centers we have inside the classroom and expanding them outdoors,” Ashley explains. “It’s about giving kids the freedom to engage with nature in ways that nurture their growth and development.”

One standout feature of the space is its emphasis on inclusivity. As a special education teacher, Ashley ensures the design accommodates all students, including those with mobility challenges. The plans include ADA-compliant concrete paths, making the space accessible to children in walkers and standers. “It’s important that every child feels they belong here,” she says.

For Ashley, the outdoor classroom is more than just a place to play—it’s an opportunity to teach essential life skills. Whether children are digging in the dirt, balancing on natural log beams, or creating mosaics with leaves and acorns, they’re developing fine and gross motor skills, practicing problem-solving, and learning to collaborate with peers. “It’s not just about academics,” Ashley emphasizes. “We’re helping kids learn to share, communicate, and navigate the world around them.”

One of her favorite aspects of the project is its potential to spark joy and curiosity. “You can’t get the same experience from a tablet or TV,” she says. “When kids are outside, they’re discovering things in real time—how leaves change color, how snow feels in their hands. These are moments they’ll carry with them forever.”

The vision for the outdoor classroom extends beyond the school day. Ashley envisions the space as a community resource, open to families and local groups. “We’ve always thought of our playground as more of a park,” she says. “This outdoor classroom will continue that tradition, creating a space that everyone can enjoy.”

However, turning this vision into reality requires significant community support. While the school has raised around $15,000 through efforts like its annual Trike-a-Thon, the estimated cost of the project is closer to $100,000. Concrete work alone, necessary for accessibility, could account for up to half of that budget.

Ashley remains optimistic, believing in the power of community to make the project happen. “It’s going to take all of us,” she says. The school is exploring creative ways to involve local businesses and residents, from seeking sponsors for specific elements—like an outdoor marimba for the music area—to asking tree services to donate logs for building zones.

The community has already shown interest, and Ashley is hopeful that more will step forward as the project gains visibility. “When people see the value of what we’re creating here, I think they’ll want to be part of it,” she says.

Ashley’s enthusiasm for the project is infectious, and it’s clear she’s deeply invested in its success. “I love teaching preschool,” she says. “These early years set the foundation for everything else. If we can give kids a love for learning now, it will stay with them as they grow.”

The outdoor classroom represents that love for learning in its purest form—a space where children can explore, imagine, and connect with the world around them. For Ashley, it’s a dream worth chasing, one that will benefit not only her students but the entire Macomb community.

As she puts it, “This is more than just a project. It’s about giving our kids experiences they wouldn’t otherwise have and showing them that the natural world is full of possibilities. That’s something we can all rally behind.”