Patty Born Selly

Patty Born Selly serves as Associate Professor in Education and Co-Program Director for Environmental Studies at Hamline University. She holds an EdD from Hamline University (2019) and a master's degree (2005), with extensive experience spanning formal and nonformal education settings including early childhood classrooms, nature centers, zoos, and the Science Museum of Minnesota.

Her educational background includes:

• EdD, Hamline University, 2019
• Master's degree, 2005 (institution unspecified)

Her research pioneers critical intersections of animal studies, ecofeminism, and sustainability education, with current focus on climate literacy in teacher preparation and human-animal connections in pedagogy. She champions "teaching locally, thinking globally" through nature-based approaches that integrate care ethics with environmental rigor, emphasizing that "prioritizing love, care, and joy is the most important thing we can do as educators" amid the climate crisis.

Analysis of her publications reveals consistent thematic development across sustainability education, with increasing emphasis on multispecies perspectives and practical applications for young learners. Her work bridges theoretical frameworks like critical posthumanism with actionable classroom strategies, particularly in early childhood STEM and animal-inclusive environmental education.

Her notable recognition includes:

• 2014 Teachers' Choice Award from Learning Magazine for "Early Childhood Activities for a Greener Earth"

Patty secured a $500,000 Legislative Citizens' Commission grant for the "Teacher Field School" initiative to advance nature-based pedagogy. She actively mentors through Hamline Elementary's STEAM partnership and leads international field studies in Mexico examining sustainable ecotourism and marine plastics, while annually participating in UN Climate Change Conferences to connect classroom practice with global policy.

She directs community-engaged initiatives including Hamline University's partnership with Hamline Elementary and international field studies in Mexico, creating pipelines between academic research, K-12 implementation, and global climate action through experiential learning frameworks.