Professional Development
In the ever-changing world and field of environmental education, we understand how valuable continuing education is to our members. This is why PAEE is excited and proud to announce our newly formed Professional Development Committee. This committee is devoted to bringing PAEE members meaningful, engaging and relevant monthly professional development sessions at no cost to PAEE members. Topics will vary by month and will be aligned to the NAAEE Guidelines for Excellence for Professional Development of Environmental Educators.
The PAEE Professional Development Annual Themes are: Best Practices in Teaching, Assessment and Evaluation, Promoting Inclusivity, Research in an Evolving EE Field, and Best Business Practices. They are an adaptation of the NAAEE professional development framework themes for environmental educators and were chosen to collectively represent significant realms of environmental education.
We hope this Committee’s work helps you to expand your knowledge, make connections and reflect and assess your practices. Check this page for updates as information on speakers and registration becomes available.
Upcoming Opportunities
Connecting Climate Change and Agriculture: Increasing Knowledge of Local Foods and Regenerative Agriculture
Monday, March 23, 6:00 PM
Buy Fresh Buy Local of the Greater Lehigh Valley and Nurture Nature Center used a multidisciplinary approach to engage audiences in climate change education, including hands-on demonstrations of the impact of different soil and water management practices for agriculture. Program components focus on soil health and rainfall infiltration, the role they play in climate change and what actions can help mitigate impacts. This focus is built through science educational programming and a soil art workshop.
This presentation will provide an overview of the project and dive into details about the educational program and demonstrations being used including a 5-pan rainfall simulator that shows how rain runs through 5 different soil types which allows for comparison/education (5 soil types: conventional tillage, diverse cover crops/no tillage, overgrazed pasture, rotational grazed pasture, and a natural forest system, for example). Participants will come away with ideas and resources for integrating these concepts, approaches, and information into their educational settings.
Free for PAEE Members
$5 for nonmembers
Connecting with other Environmental Educators and Understanding the Field with Gen:Thrive
Monday, April 6, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM (Webinar)
Join us to explore Gen:Thrive, a collaborative initiative providing shared data and technology tools to accelerate sustainability education and advance health, equity, and climate resilience in K–12 youth and schools across the nation.
Gen:Thrive offers a data-driven approach to understanding local community needs, identifying partnership opportunities, and amplifying resources focused on environmental literacy, climate justice, healthy school buildings, outdoor learning, and green workforce development.
During this session, you’ll learn how to leverage Gen:Thrive’s free mapping tools and national dashboard to explore gaps and trends in environmental education. We’ll walk you through state-specific GIS applications that visualize critical data layers—from school garden locations to community demographics—helping you make informed decisions about where and how to strengthen your work.
Whether you’re an educator, service provider, funder, researcher, or community partner, Gen:Thrive provides the insights and connections you need to expand your impact. Discover how data can transform the way you approach environmental education and advance equity in your region.
Come ready to explore, ask questions, and connect with others committed to building a more sustainable and just future for all students.
Free and open to everyone! Registration is required.
In Person SW Region Event
A Walk on the Wild Side: Visit and Learn about Wildlife Rehabilitation at Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh's Wildlife Rehabilitation Center
Wednesday, May 13, 5:00 - 7:00 PM
Join us at Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Center for a behind the scenes look at how Pennsylvania’s second largest wildlife hospital cares for animals from Bald Eagles to Cottontails and almost everything in between. The evening will begin at 5:00 with light refreshments and networking, and the remainder of the time together will be spent both inside of the classroom and outside taking a tour of the facility. There may even be a special appearance from one of our co-workers in conservation, an education animal ambassador!
Free for PAEE Members
$5 for nonmembers
Sandi Comunale, Sr. Humane & Wildlife Education Specialist
Making humane and environmental education enjoyable and accessible to all in our community is Sandi’s passion, and she is thrilled to pursue this passion with HARP! Sandi received a B.S. in Biology (minor in history), with an M.S. in Environmental Science and Management. She has several years of experience in the field of informal science education and community outreach. As a lifelong learner, Sandi is a National Geographic Certified Educator and is also on the Board of Directors for the Association of Professional Humane Educators. Outside of work, Sandi enjoys traveling, trying new foods, and exploring the outdoors!
Katie Campbell, Sr. Humane & Wildlife Education Specialist
Katie has always known that she would grow up and work with animals, so when the time came, she earned her B.S. in Zoology at Kent State University. Her love of teaching was ignited while working at a summer camp that she had attended as a child, and combining her two passions into a single career path has been nothing short of a dream come true.
Her favorite parts about being an educator are getting to share her love of animals and conservation with others and inspiring people to make a positive impact on the world around them. In her free time, she enjoys painting, rollerblading, and re-watching Lord of the Rings with her cats. Katie also sits on the Board of Directors for the Association of Professional Humane Educators as well as her childhood summer camp, Camp Soles.
Aquatic Academy: A Collaborative Approach to Water Stewardship
Thursday, June 18, 12:00 PM
In Pittsburgh, water reliably reaches our tap every day. It is so ubiquitous and fundamental to our lives that it is hard to imagine life without easy access to clean and safe water in our home. It is also hard to envision the multitude of environmental and human factors that affect water quality, the health of our waterways, and the diligence required to manage this vital resource in a changing world.
This session will explore how Allegheny Land Trust and Pittsburgh Water partnered on a DEP Environmental Education grant to launch the Aquatic Academy: Becoming Water Wise on our Waterways. In a series of four workshops, more than 65 educators had the opportunity to explore the Pittsburgh Water Treatment Plant, learn how land and water choices affect human health, tour a green infrastructure project in the City of Pittsburgh, and even conduct a “nurdle patrol” via kayak on Sycamore Island, monitoring for microplastics in our waterways.
We’ll discuss meeting STEELS standards, planning and preparation, and where we see the Aquatic Academy growing and strengthening in the future.
Free for PAEE Members
$5 for NonMembers
Join The Outdoor Learning Store for these online courses & virtual presentations!
Do you have an idea or an opportunity for our Professional Development Series? Contact us!
