Learning & Networking Opportunities
The Upper Valley has so many wonderful PBEE professional development opportunities. Find them all here.
If you would like to submit your own event, please contact us here.
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Independent Study in Science Instruction
Fall and Spring Semesters
Flexible and Teacher Dependent
VINS Nature Center, Quechee, VTThis graduate level course supports teachers in the implementation and practice of the Next Generation Science Standards and is delivered as an extension to the VINS School Program. As an independent study, this course is centered on the needs of individual teachers and is flexible to adapt to their individual goals. We will focus on how we can use the NGSS to help students engage with the world around them as scientists and engineers. We will explore the NGSS in depth, identify the implications for instruction, find connections between CCSS and the NGSS, develop lessons aligned with the NGSS and reflect on the implementation of the NGSS in your classroom. This course is designed for teachers in grades Kindergarten through 8th grade.
Location: In-Person + Online/Independent Format
Due Date: Varies -
ForestKinder 2019 Outdoor Play and Learning Professional Learning Community
The PreK and Elementary Weekly Forest Day idea is well rooted and sprouting throughout Vermont. If you are interested in connecting with the Upper Valley community of educators engaged in taking students out for frequent immersive nature play and learning please consider joining our ForestKinder 2019 Professional Learning Community.Meg Teachout and Eliza Minnucci facilitate a series of gatherings throughout the 2019-2020 school year focused on developing and supporting teachers committed to cultivating outdoor experiences for their preK and elementary students.The Details:Nine Sessions (22 PD hours)– songs, activities, group sharing, site visits, focused discussionSeptember-May 2019-2020Dinner Provided$250 – $200 if you enroll before June 15thoptional Antioch University Graduate Credit ($400)Please open the attached flyer for more information.School/teaching teams are encouraged to attend together.The Outdoor Play and Learning PLC is enrollment dependent and spaces are limited. Get in touch soon to enroll!Location: Upper Valley
Due Date: Varies -
Education for Sustainability Institute
July 29 – Aug 1, 2019 (9am – 4pm)
$560 for 4-day, 32 hr course (add’l $450 for 3 credits through Antioch New England)
Teacher Center at Riverside School in Lyndonville, VT
REGISTER TODAY
DESCRIPTION
How can schools be a key player in nurturing environmentally and socially vital and equitable communities? Education for Sustainability acknowledges and addresses the gap between this vision for the future and the ability of our current education system to get us there. In this institute, you will explore strategies for engaging learners in experiences that build their capacity and identity as agents of change.
This course focuses on the interdependence of environment, economy and equity (the three Es of Educating for Sustainability) and how we can incorporate sustainability at any grade level and in every subject area. As educators, we have the opportunity to model sustainable practices, to open our students’ minds to the possibilities of a sustainable future and to help guide them to be responsible citizens for change in their communities.
Designed to be dynamic and democratic, the Institute offers teachers and administrators the time and space to develop projects of personal interest while providing opportunities to learn from colleagues and other leaders in field of Education for Sustainability. Interactive sessions will feature a blend of individual work time, peer-to-peer feedback, resource sharing, hands-on learning experiences, and large and small group discussions. Our overall goal is to ensure participants have the opportunity to develop connections between curriculum and community, work and dialogue together, and reflect in an inspiring setting that models sustainability and systems-thinking.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
- Gain familiarity with and practice the skills to apply Education for Sustainability (EFS) as a unifying framework for education that helps students contribute to creating a healthy economic, social and environmental future for their communities.
- Build knowledge about community sustainability efforts, resources, and opportunities to integrate them into curriculum.
- Use the big ideas of sustainability as a lens through which to meet standards-based curriculum and assessment goals and address school initiatives.
- Practice using curriculum planning tools to integrate EFS
- Collaboratively develop, present, and evaluate a curriculum unit that uses the Big Ideas of Sustainability as integrative concepts.
- Build awareness of a variety of techniques to use as part of student reflection and educator resilience.
- Deepen understanding of complex systems and systems dynamics in social and ecological contexts.
- Be part of a learning community providing each other feedback, resources and suggestions.
Due Date: Varies -
Place-based Ecology Education Celebration
Place-Based Ecology Education Celebration Held at Thetford Academy allows schools to learn new ideas, practices and projects they may want to incorporate on their own campus while exhibiting their own PBEE successes and accomplishments.
Share your accomplishments in place-based ecology education with students and teachers from across the Upper Valley!
Participation Package • $200.00
- One-on-one planning meeting with VINS Educator to review event goals to determine the best project/practice for the event.
- Classroom support and science instruction expertise from a VINS Science Educator who has a Master’s in Education and is a certified teacher.
- Registration and admission to the PBEE Celebration for participating classes on the day of the event.
Brought to you by the Vermont Institute of Natural Science in collaboration with the Upper Valley Teaching Place Collaborative and Thetford Academy.
Location: Thetford Academy
Event date: Oct 10