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
NAAEE Guidelines of Excellence in Environmental Education Materials Monday, April 29 from 12-1 PM
The Environmental Education Materials: Guidelines for Excellence comprises a set of recommendations for developing and selecting environmental education instructional materials. These guidelines aim to help producers of activity guides, lesson plans, and other instructional materials create high-quality products and to provide educators with a tool to evaluate the wide array of available environmental education materials. Through the National Project for Excellence in Environmental Education, the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) is taking the lead in establishing guidelines for the development of coherent and comprehensive environmental education materials and programs. These guidelines draw on our best thinking honed by scholars and practitioners across a variety of fields and settings, including formal and nonformal education, curriculum development, instructional design, early childhood education, and adult education. One hour of ACT 48 is available, please have PPID number ready to submit at the workshop.
Free for PAEE Members, $5.00 for Non Members
Internship Tips & Tricks: Finding & Making the Most of Your EE Internship
Thursday, May 2 from 6:30-7:30 PM
Explore the opportunities for environmental education internships in Pennsylvania! Join Dr. Becky Thomas (Slippery Rock University), Wendy Kedzierski (Creek Connections), Barbara Wallace (Ohiopyle State Park), and Kaitlyn Royal (Allegheny College Senior) as they share their internship tips and tricks on how to make the most of your environmental education internship. Also, where to look to find internship opportunities near you!
Free for PAEE Members, $5.00 for Non Members
PA Environmental Justice and Education Summit
Monday, May 13 from 12-4 PM (in person and virtual options are available)
The Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Educators, an affiliate of the North American Association for Environmental Education, is pleased to offer a FREE half-day Environmental Justice and Education professional development summit on the afternoon of Monday, May 13 at PSU Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center. The goals are to give state and regional leaders and experts in the field of ‘people and the environment’ an opportunity to connect with educational leaders in PA about these topics and effective education about them, as well as highlighting programs like Green Schools and similar initiatives, and offer a networking opportunity. The in-person availability of this event is limited and anyone is welcome to join virtually. ACT 48 is available!
Speakers:
- PA DEP Office of Environmental Justice
- EarthForce Environmental Action Civics
- PA Environmental Literacy Network (updates regarding STEELS Standards/Green Schools/Careers)
- Environmental Education Alliance of Georgia (EEAG) (about their work with environmental justice and curriculum)
Watershed Planning: Outreach to Action
Tuesday, May 21 from 12 - 1 PM
Join Allegheny County Conservation District Watershed Program Manager, Amy Miller, to learn more about engaging decision makers around watersheds, watershed planning, and stormwater. Hear about ACCD’s successes in educating municipalities and watershed stakeholders on these topics when political boundaries do not align with water resource issues. Learn how ACCD’s Watershed Planning tool can help lead to cooperation and successful implementation of projects that reduce pollution and improve streams.
Free for PAEE Members, $5.00 for Non Members
Do you have an idea or an opportunity for our Professional Development Series? Contact us!
