Cpl. David Chavez, a school resource officer with the Boerne Police Department, recently added another title to his many roles and responsibilities – wildlife educator.
“Day to day, helping wrangle the kiddos is part of the job,” Cpl. Chavez said. “But it has been exciting to see their enthusiasm with the Animal Connections program.”
He recently helped launch a first-of-its-kind collaboration between the San Antonio Zoo and the Boerne Independent School District at Kendall Elementary School.
“When we started exploring this idea of a new program with the school, we reached out to other zoos across the country, and many had something similar,” said Brooke Chavez of the San Antonio Zoo’s Animal Ambassador Division. “However, connecting stories in a way that encourages empathy and confidence through a love for wildlife is unlike anything being done right now.”
Each month, a different animal from the San Antonio Zoo visits Kendall Elementary. The lesson begins a week earlier when Cpl. Chavez introduces the monthly theme to students.
Since launching in January, themes have included keeping cool and practicing patience. Classrooms incorporate the theme into their curriculum, culminating with the animal’s visit to campus.
The program had humble beginnings. When Cpl. Chavez set up a bulletin board to introduce himself to his new campus, he quickly realized it was a photo of him holding a chinchilla – Dr. Garbanzo Beans the First – that drew the most attention, often sparking conversations with students who typically kept to themselves.
“Students loved talking about the chinchilla and began to open up,” Cpl. Chavez said. “When I talked to my wife, Brooke, that’s when we realized there was a unique opportunity to bring a collaborative program to campus.”
Yavari the sloth visited students during a recent Animal Connections presentation focused on patience. They learned that even one of the slowest animals in the wild continues moving forward at its own pace.
After the grade-level presentation in the cafeteria, zoo staff visited the life skills classroom to provide a more interactive demonstration, allowing students to experience the animals through sound, scent, and touch.
“I cannot think of a project that better encapsulates what makes Kendall Elementary and Boerne ISD so special,” Principal Jennifer Escamilla said. “With the help of Officer Chavez and the San Antonio Zoo, we are creating new and exciting ways for our students to be engaged, learn, and excel.”
The program will continue through the spring semester at Kendall Elementary, and the San Antonio Zoo is also exploring ways to incorporate Animal Connections into the summer school curriculum.
