Erin Viera-Orr

Sound Bites:
 
I believe with all my heart in the service learning model. This method of learning makes a dramatic difference in the lives of students and has a measurable impact on their communities as well. Service learning is the “why” in the always present “why are we learning this?
 
The thing I value most about the Roots & Shoots is that it supports educators in developing long-term service learning initiatives. Our classrooms work over months and even the school year on campaigns, not just single isolated projects. This creates quality service learning and I have watched students graduate from that class as experts in their campaign subject matter.
 
Fun Facts about Erin:
  • My dogs Lily and Baxter are huge Jane Goodall fans. They volunteer in my office every day.
  • I’m addicted to Pilates
  • To decompress I craft
  • My hometown is Lafayette, CA

National Program Director

Location: Los Angeles, CA

As the National Director for Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots, Erin is responsible for working with young people to convert their passion into successful service campaigns.  Highly experienced in educational programming, she works with young people to develop project management skills that can transform grass-roots action into sustainable programs. Erin's areas of expertise are Education, Service Learning, After-school Programs, and Project Development.


Erin began her career in research and after-school programming. With a passion for youth development she has spent the bulk of her career developing educational programs that use meaningful hands on projects to reinforce learning and instil a sense of civic responsibility in young people. She has worked with hundreds of teachers and afterschool program leaders to incorporate academic content into an engaging, project based environment. Erin is a certified service learning trainer and each year she leads trainings and workshops around the United States.  In her last 4 years with Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots Erin has mentored hundreds of educators as they incorporate service learning into their daily programming.

Photo courtesy of Alex Abercrombie.