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Meet Adalgisa and David Nico

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Meet Adalgisa and David Nico

March 28, 2024
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Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Adalgisa and david Nico. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Adalgisa and david , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
As a family, we love the national parks! We feel getting kiddos and families into the parks and learning about the endangered species is essential. Our objective is to pique children’s curiosity, inspiring them to discover the splendor of national parks and grasp the intricate interconnections inherent in nature. We started the Bringing National Parks to Life book series to increase awareness about endangered wildlife in national parks, urging families to safeguard and appreciate our precious lands.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Adalgisa “Gisa” was the directress and founder of Butterfly Garden Preschool and an elementary public school teacher. She is passionate about children’s literature and it’s ability to stimulate young minds. Her current work involves creating educational stories about wildlife to encouage environmental awareness and introduce childrne to National Parks and Wildlife Refuges. Gisa loves exploring National lands with her family and hopes to inspire others to discover the animals, plants and history each park offers.
David Nico is passionate about educating children on the importance of national parks and wildlife conservation. Born in Dearborn, Michigan, he enjoys listening to audiobooks and podcasts. David has managed many behind-the-scenes operations at Butterfly Garden Preschool and has over twelve years of experience in feature film production. He works as an IT support engineer for a growing software company. He loves visiting national parks and writing books to educate kids about them and their wildlife.
Gisa and David combine their skills and passions to create engaging and informative narratives that appeal to readers of all ages. Their first book, “Fish in the Desert: The Untold Story of the Death Valley Pupfish,” reveals the remarkable tale of a tiny yet resilient species that survive in one of the Earth’s most inhospitable environments. Through their seamless blend of storytelling and research, they highlight the importance of environmental stewardship and conservation and ignite in their audience a passion for learning and exploration. Their mission is to bring the national parks to life and to inspire others to visit, appreciate, and protect these natural treasures.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
Our author’s journey began amidst the stark beauty of Death Valley, where the pupfish species thrives in one of the harshest environments on Earth. The most fitting descriptor for these pupfish is undoubtedly “resilient.” These aquatic inhabitants have withstood the harsh crucible of isolation for over 20,000 years in one of the world’s harshest environments. Despite their modest size—measuring no more than two inches—these unassuming creatures left an indelible mark on us.

Our encounters with Death Valley became significant during the COVID-19 quarantine, following months of restricted mobility and isolation. As we explored this unforgiving landscape, we found ourselves humbled by the challenges faced by the pupfish, who had endured an unimaginable stretch of solitude. This sentiment resonated deeply with us as we navigated our period of isolation.

Adding to our appreciation was the discomfort of navigating Death Valley’s heat during a spring trip. We were irritable and uncomfortable, contrasting the pupfish’s remarkable ability to adapt and survive. Little did we know that our own resilience would soon be put to the test.

Our lives took an unexpected turn as my mother’s Alzheimer’s progressed and my father suffered a debilitating stroke. The following months were marked by uncertainty, with my father’s life hanging in the balance. The intensive care unit became a backdrop for our worries and fears, where we grappled with the fragility of life and the daunting challenges of caregiving.

Yet, amidst the challenges and daily stress, we discovered a resilience within ourselves—a strength forged through adversity and nurtured by love and determination.

Looking back two years after the stroke, we see a portrait of familial resilience that defies easy explanation. The challenges we faced—difficult medical decisions, navigating a complex healthcare system, and learning to care for my father’s new needs—revealed strengths we didn’t know we had.

As a family, we came to understand the depth of our collective and individual resilience. Just as the pupfish continue to endure in their harsh habitat, we, too, discovered an inner strength that carried us through tumultuous times. Our experiences have shown us that even when faced with challenging obstacles, humans possess an innate capacity to overcome and grow stronger.

Have you ever had to pivot?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, our preschool program faced a monumental challenge: pivoting to an online platform. This shift was far from ideal for children aged 3 to 5, who thrive on social interaction and hands-on learning experiences. Recognizing this, we knew we had to ensure our approach and program remained educational and developmentally appropriate.

We embarked on a journey to recreate our entire curriculum for the digital landscape. Despite David’s full-time job, he dedicated his evenings and nights to editing videos so that children and families could access new lessons daily. Meanwhile, Gisa planned engaging content covering a range of subjects from math to science to language arts.

Understanding the importance of social interaction, Gisa also conducted group preschool classes online. Additionally, she made time for one-on-one sessions with each child, providing personalized attention and tailored lessons. Our partnership became essential in navigating this uncharted territory, ensuring that our students felt connected and supported despite the distance.

However, our journey took unexpected turns when I needed to take care of my mom, followed by my dad’s major stroke. Once again, we found ourselves pivoting to adapt to these life-altering circumstances. Despite the challenges, our commitment to providing quality education persisted, and we adjusted our plans accordingly.

We successfully navigated these turbulent times through resilience, creativity, and unwavering dedication, demonstrating the power of adaptability and collaboration. Our experience is a testament to the importance of flexibility in business and life, showing that there are always opportunities to innovate and thrive, even in the face of adversity.

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