Deb Matlock, M.A.
Associate Faculty / Coordinator, Environmental Education
Deb is an Interdisciplinary Associate Faculty member and Graduate Mentor at Prescott College where she works with students in Environmental Studies, Adventure Education, Education, and Humanities. Recognizing that academia is a powerful force capable of creating change and growth in the world, Deb considers scholarship to be a work of service to the larger community. She is a passionate researcher and loves to assist students as they bring the vision of their work to life.
Deb's own research and teaching interests revolve around developing and nurturing a deep sense of connection between humanity and the rest of the living world. She emphasizes developing empathy, compassion, and understanding of our own wild nature to effectively address our current personal and collective ecological experiences and challenges.
Deb grew up in the mountains of Colorado and is deeply committed to nurturing the connection between people and the earth. She has spent twenty years working as a professional environmental educator and naturalist. Her work includes teaching indoors and out, offering trainings and presentations, and designing and evaluating environmental education programs. Deb's research on the connection between spirituality and environmental education has been presented nationally and internationally and continues to be a strong focus for her. She also provides environmental and humane educational program consulting, and assists people and animals through spiritual coaching and shamanic-style journey work.
"To be whole. To be complete. Wildness reminds us what it means to be human, what we are connected to rather than what we are separate from. "
Terry Tempest Williams
Education
EducationCurrently pursuing a PhD in Environmental Studies, June 2010 - Present
Antioch University New England
Research Focus: Ecological Identity, Animism and Environmental Education
Anticipated Graduation Date: Summer 2019
Master of Arts in Environmental Education, June 2003
Prescott College
Thesis title: Remembering the Dance: Reawakening Our Rhythmic Connection to the Earth through Environmental Education
Bachelor of Arts in Communications May 1996
University of Colorado, Denver
Emphasis: Performing Arts
Research
ResearchResearch Interests:
Ecological Identity
Spiritual connection to place
Animism and Environmental Education
Empathy and Environmental Education
Innovative Environmental Education Programming
Human and animal bond
Expertise
Expertise- Spirituality and place connection
- Spirituality and connection to animals
- Empathy and education
- Ecopsychology
- Ecological Identity
- Place-based education
- Environmental Education and Interpretation
- Program design
- Academic writing techniques and styles
- Alternative ways of knowing
- Deep Ecology
- Conservation Psychology
Publications
PublicationsJurin, R. & Matlock, D. (2016). Spirituality and Sustainability Education: A Natural Partnership. Sustainability: The Journal of Record, 9(6), 276-282.
Presentations
Presentations
Spirituality and Environmental Education - a presentation offered at the following conferences:
- Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education annual conference
- North American Association for Environmental Education annual conference
- Prescott College Master of Arts Program Colloquium
- City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks Volunteer Naturalist Training
Ecological Identity: What is it and why does it matter - a presentation offered at the following conferences:
- Prescott College Master of Arts Program Colloquium
- Association for Professional Humane Educators conference (2015)
- Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education conference (2015)
Our Wild Essence: Educating from a Place of Connection - a presentation offered at the Colorado Alliance for
Environmental Education annual conference
Rhythms of Body, Rhythms of Earth - a presentation offered at the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education
annual conference
The Ground Beneath our Feet: Exploring a Sense of Place - a presentation offered at the Prescott College Master of
Arts Program Colloquium
Taking Your Readers on a Journey: Creating an Organized and Inspiring Academic Paper - presentation offered the
Prescott College Master of Arts Program Colloquium
A Mini Retreat: Exploring Hope and Inspiration - workshop offered at the Colorado Alliance for Environmental
Education annual conference
The Colorado Environmental Education Plan - Presentation offered at the Colorado Alliance for Environmental
Education annual conference
Place-based Shamanism: Spiritual Connection with Earth - upcoming
Empathy and Environmental Education - upcoming
Awards
Awards2010 Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education Award for Excellence in EE, Government Category, OSMP and the Arts, City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks Department
