The Teacher Learning Circle (TLC) is designed to gather teachers with an interest in creating outdoor learning opportunities and connect them with local outdoor education experts in a collaborative, supportive, professional learning community.
This program is completely free of charge and a small stipend will be awarded to each participant to help defray the costs of travel and other expenses. The TLC has been made possible through a generous donation from NuGen Capital and a grant provided by Bank Newport!
Over the course of 5 sessions, participants will:
- Circle up to explore topics such as best practices in outdoor education, how to use available outdoor spaces for safe and effective outdoor learning, and how teaching in nature benefits the whole child as well as the teacher.
- Learn from expert presenters.
- Visit locations around Rhode Island of organizations working on environmental stewardship.
- Identify personal outdoor teaching goals and receive support from environmental education, special education, nature writing, ecotherapy and outdoor teaching experts while planning/trying new methods.
- Receive a stipend upon completing the program and are eligible to receive PLU’s.
- Support and be supported by fellow Educators to get outdoors!
If you...
- are a motivated educator in Rhode Island
- want to learn how outdoor learning can benefit your students and your teaching
- are looking to connect with other budding Outdoor Educators
- can dedicate 3 hours every other month for TLC sessions plus a bit of your own teacher planning time during the 2023-2024 academic year
You are a perfect fit.
Schedule of sessions & Tentative Locations: All held on Saturday mornings from 9am-12pm.
*Dates and locations subject to change
- Session 1: September 16, 2023, The Compass School, Kingston, RI
- Session 2: November 18, 2023, Audubon Society of RI
- Session 3: January 20, 2024, RISD Nature Lab, Providence, RI
- Session 4: March 23, 2024, Save the Bay-Bay Center, Providence, RI
- Session 5: May 11, 2024, Ocean Hour Farm, Newport, RI
Guest Presenters:
- Awilda Reinoso Lopez, Educator & Mindfulness, Amorosa Wellness
- Liz Gouveia, Certified Kids Yoga Instructor, United Way
- Lisa Maloney, Community Education Coordinator, Audubon Society of RI
- Lauren Watka Atwood, Environmental Educator, Brown University
- Shannon Rozea, founding director of Thrive Outside
- Kati Maginel, Farmer & Teacher, The Compass School
- Janet Johnson, Educator & Author, Rhode Island Writing Project
Please email Kelly Hanks with any questions.