Lessons & Reflections from the National Butterfly Center

Last week, I was eavesdropping on visitors in the garden. I must confess to doing this every chance I get.

On this day, a mother was walking with her young child and pointing out butterflies, flowers and bugs at every turn. The child was fascinated, rather than fearful, of all the bees and wasps that were also flying.

I couldn’t help but smile as I thought to myself, “Wow, this mom is really doing things right. What a wonderful teacher she is.”

Then I overheard her say, “Look! Look at all these little butterflies! They are babies that will grow up to be big like those.”

I looked over just as she pointed to Tawny Emperors and Queens on the lantana and flame vine.

Hhhhmmm, no. Where she stood there were lots of skippers, nectaring and courting, but none of these will “grow up” to be anything other than what they already are. What to do? What to do?

At this point, I felt I had three choices: 1) Ignore the misinformation and say nothing; 2) Correct the mother in front of her child; or 3) Encourage them to keep exploring and learning.

At the National Butterfly Center, we provide lots and lots of educational programs to children and adults; and my mandate to staff is simple: Meet people where they are.

This means when children jump off the bus and begin stomping on catydids, we do not scream STOP! Rather, we ask them why? Why are you crushing these cool bugs?

When a child sees a caterpillar and starts to complain about how scary and dangerous it is, we ask how? How do you think this fuzzy caterpillar would hurt you?

When children say they are afraid to go outside, we ask them when? When is it frightening for you to be outdoors?

There are plenty of examples involving adults, too, but the point is by asking questions like this we demonstrate acceptance and engage visitors, right off the bat. This gives us the opportunity to learn more about them and, hopefully, teach them more about us.

One of the most important questions we ask at the start of every school field trip is WHO? Who wants to be a biologist? The good news is, on that day, everyone gets to be one!

So, what did I choose to do with the mother and child, last week? I decided to hold open the door, instead of closing it.

I excitedly asked them to show me what they were seeing. Both mother and child were delighted to share their discoveries with me. They began talking about colorful beetles, beautiful flowers, busy ants and of course, all the amazing butterflies! I told them how happy we were they chose to spend the day with us, getting to know all the creatures and features of the National Butterfly Center—and how I hoped they would visit again, with family and friends.

I told them about how the place is always changing and how we’re growing. Then I asked the child what he wanted to be when HE grew up, and we had the most wonderful walk through the gardens...

P.S. This blog is dedicated to Mrs. Shirley McCook, a gifted teacher and exceptional human being who celebrates creativity and safeguards imagination, and to our fantastic staff. This Teacher Appreciation Week, may we all make time to acknowledge the special teachers who find ways to say yes, instead of no.