Heidi LaMoreaux

Cotati, California

Though my academic training is largely in the earth sciences – I studied peat bogs and caves in the Southeastern United States, complete with pollen counting, charcoal analysis and sediment diagramming – I have always also been interested in, and taken coursework in, creative arts and writing. I'm particularly interested in the intersections of art, science, creative writing, and mapping.

I enjoy teaching - in the Hutchins School of Liberal Studies at Sonoma State University, at Santa Rosa Junior College, and in community workshops.

I try to mix my interests into my classes. I teach classes called "Earth Art," "Graphic Novels," "Caves," "Inner Geographies," "Terrain," "Regional Geography of the World," and others. All the classes incorporate art, writing, and geography.

For example, my course Inner Geographies encourages students to examine their relationships to place, how they formed into the person they are, and who they are through, by creating maps and using science methods as metaphors. Check out www.innergeographies.com for information and galleries.

I also teach courses that encourage future teachers to be enthusiastic about teaching science in their classrooms, including a class that certifies students in Project Wildlife in Learning Design (WILD), Project Water Education for Teachers (WET) and Project Learning Tree (PLT). I also play an active role in promoting environmental education and science awareness in California.

I make art whenever I can, read, am addicted to gsn.com, watch too much TV, love dogs, enjoy nature journaling, am writing a memoir, and have the support and love of an amazing family.

  • Work
    • Sonoma State University
  • Education
    • Ph.D., Geography, University of Georgia
    • MS, BS University of Utah