2024-25 Program
The Teacher Leadership Institute for Sustainability builds the capacity of TK-12th grade teachers to integrate environmental sustainability, outdoor learning, and student -driven environmental action projects into their core curriculum. Join a countywide network of Teacher Leaders with a shared vision for environmental literacy and sustainability education.
During the program, participants will:
Engage as learners in deepening understanding of UN Sustainability Goals, California’s Environmental Principles and Concepts and NOAA’s Meaningful Watershed Education Experiences Framework (which is also applicable to broader environmental and climate education)
Define environmental issues relevant to students and schools and identify connections to classroom curriculum
Collaborate with local environmental education partners for outdoor learning and stewardship action projects
Engage students in identifying, learning about and taking action on an environmental issue relevant to their classroom community. Participants will share their “green classroom profiles” telling the stories of their action projects at the final showcase in April
Explore opportunities for student action projects to contribute to Green Classroom Recognition, Green School Certification and/or other existing district greening efforts
WHO SHOULD PARTICIPATE?
TK-12 teachers with a passion for connecting their classroom instruction to real-world issues and action
Environmental Education Partners with programs and/or service learning opportunities related to environmental sustainability, especially watersheds, ocean and climate change
APPLICATIONS: 2024-25 applications are open. APPLY HERE. Space is allocated to ensure participation across districts and grade bands.
DATES AND TIMES:
NOTE: The program includes in-person sessions, synchronous virtual sessions, and asynchronous independent work.
Saturday October 5, 2024 (in person) 9:00am - 2:00pm Kick-off
Saturday October 19, 2024 (in person) 9:00am-2:00pm
Virtual Afterschool Sessions: Tuesdays 3:45 pm - 5:15 pm (on zoom)
10/22/24 - focus on content areas
11/12/24 - focus on community connections
12/3/24 - focus on capturing impacts
Saturday January 25, 2025 (in person) Collaboration Work Session 9:00am - 12:00pm
Saturday, March 8, 2025 (Optional) STEAM Expo Showcase of Action Projects in Progress
Saturday April 26, 2025 Green Classroom Share Fair and Celebration (in person) 9:00am-2:00pm
STIPEND PAYMENT AND REIMBURSEMENTS: Classroom teacher participants will receive up to $1200. Stipends will be paid by districts at the end of the 2024-25 school year. Santa Cruz COE will reimburse districts up to $1200 per teacher plus statutory benefits based on attendance and program completion. Santa Cruz COE will track and provide all attendance documentation. No stipends are available for community-based Environmental Educator participants at this time.
Questions? Contact: Amity Sandage asandage@santacruzcoe.org