Today we’d like to introduce you to Mindy Dickman.
Hi Mindy, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’ve always felt most at home outdoors. Long before I became an author, I was the kind of person who preferred a trail map over a shopping mall. As a mom, some of my favorite memories are RV trips with my kids to national parks, waking up to birds singing, hiking through forests, and watching them fall in love with nature the way I did. Those experiences shaped not only our family life, but my professional path as well.
As a teacher, I saw firsthand how powerful hands-on learning can be. I also noticed that many students were growing up disconnected from the natural world around them, especially the native plants and animals unique to Florida. I wanted to change that. That desire led me to write Life in the Everglades: A Young Naturalist’s Manual and Field Guide and to begin building a curriculum that helps students and teachers explore and protect their environment.
Today, I combine my love of nature, motherhood, and teaching to help schools and families cultivate the next generation of young naturalists.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The hardest part about the work I’ve done so far was completing the book. It was a ten year project and I had to learn how to make decisions quickly, be patient, and let go of wanting things to be perfect.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Before becoming a mom, I spent ten years in the classroom. I taught high school science and reading, served as a reading coach, and later worked as an elementary school teacher. Those years shaped me deeply as an educator and showed me the power of strong literacy skills in every subject, especially science.
When I had children, I made the decision to step away from the classroom and become a stay-at-home mom – a role I am most proud of. Raising my two boys, now 17 and 19, has been the greatest privilege of my life. Our days were filled with books, outdoor adventures, curiosity, and countless teachable moments.
Now that they’re older and more independent, I feel called back into education with renewed purpose. I’m combining my years of classroom experience, my love of nature, and my passion for literacy and hands-on learning to write an elementary science curriculum to accompany my book. My dream is to help teachers and students explore, understand, and protect the natural world.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I have been incredibly fortunate to have strong mentors, collaborators, and cheerleaders along the way. The 2012-2013 Everglades Restoration Project in-service class, especially Hank Langston, Vivian Miller, and Dr. Paul George, sparked the original idea for writing an Everglades book. Professor Kay Cassani at Florida Gulf Coast University reinforced my belief that the best way to teach students about wildlife is through exploration of wild places.
I’m also deeply grateful to the many photographers whose work captures the beauty of nature and inspires conservation. Numerous scientists and species experts generously fact-checked content and cheered me on when I needed it most! Ormsby and Thickstun provided a beautiful design for the book and steady encouragement, and thoughtful editors helped refine the manuscript.
Most importantly, my family, especially my mom, offered constant love, encouragement, and feedback throughout the journey.
Pricing:
- $24.95
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lifeintheeverglades.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindydickman1/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mindydickman1/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mindy-dickman-440a202b7/
