Professional development and curriculum provider EcoRise will host a three-day conference to connect, empower, and develop K–12 educators from around the country.
AUSTIN, Texas, July 16, 2018—EcoRise, a nonprofit curriculum and training provider based in Austin, Texas, is thrilled to host its inaugural three-day institute for K–12 teachers and administrators who are passionate about igniting a new generation of green leaders. Fourteen educators from around the country have been selected to attend the EcoRise Summer Institute to develop leadership, facilitation, and community-building skills that will deepen and extend the impact of environmental education initiatives in their own communities.
The Summer Institute will take place from July 29 to August 1 in Austin, Texas, bringing together EcoRise Teacher Ambassadors and district partners from eight regions across the United States, including Boston; New York City; Washington, D.C.; Houston; Dallas; San Antonio; Austin; and Sacramento. EcoRise Teacher Ambassadors are a select group of outstanding educators who serve as champions of environmental literacy and student innovation in their classrooms and their communities. You can read about each one of our 2018-2019 Teacher Ambassadors here.
“Our goal is to cultivate a national cohort of passionate and talented teachers who can leverage their shared experiences and resources to increase our collective impact,” said EcoRise Program Director Abby Randall. “Teachers are not just skilled at empowering their students to take action; they are also great at supporting and inspiring one another.”
EcoRise’s mission is to inspire and educate a new generation of leaders and equip students with the skills they need to design a more sustainable future for all. Teachers are at the forefront of this movement, and EcoRise’s Summer Institute is designed to empower them with the leading-edge resources and support that EcoRise is known for. By the end of the three days, attendees will have a deeper understanding of EcoRise’s educational resources and how to effectively apply them, and they will be able to confidently facilitate teacher workshops and community events. They will also be part of a network of engaged and passionate educators who inspire the next generation of green leaders and change-makers.
“Being part of the teacher ambassador program has challenged me to ‘get out of my comfort zone’ and start networking, presenting, and being in the spotlight,” second-year EcoRise Teacher Ambassador Andrea Tole said. “I appreciate the patience, confidence, and loyalty that the EcoRise staff have shown me through this journey. I feel like I am making a difference!”
The EcoRise Summer Institute will be hosted at St. Edward’s University, in partnership with the Austin Independent School District’s Science + Mathematics Conference. The institute is sponsored by Southwest Airlines, a company that partners with environmental and educational organizations to more effectively better the planet, and the Lakeshore Foundation. To learn more about the Teacher Ambassador program and its impact on teachers and students alike, visit https://ecorise.org/ambassadors.
