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.
These themes 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:
PAEE/ELIT SOUTHEAST REGIONAL MEETUP - Friendsgiving!
Tuesday, November 24, 2026, 1:00 - 4:00 PM EST
Northeast region will be hosting at PAEE/ELIT Friendsgiving on November 24th at 1pm at Hickory Run State Park, 3 Family Camp Rd, White Have, PA.
PAEE and ELIT members are welcome to bring a friend to our luncheon as we discuss our successes and challenges with STEELS. Lunch provide, bring a sweet treat to swap!
GEN:THRIVE FOR EDUCATORS: Data You Can Teach With
Wednesday, December 2, 2026, 6:00 - 7:00 PM EST
Ever wonder what environmental education really looks like across your community, not just in your own classroom? Join us for an interactive PAEE PD webinar to explore data! Gen:Thrive is a free, collaborative platform that brings together data, a national directory of program providers, and data visualization tools like GIS maps to make the K–12 environmental education landscape visible and actionable.
Together, we’ll explore how to find standards-aligned resources, programs, and partners near you, and see what Gen:Thrive’s maps reveal about your own school community. We’ll also look at how you and your students can use these same GIS tools to research local climate data, spot patterns, and think through environmental solutions for their school.
Whether you’re brand new to mapping or already exploring it, come ready to dig in, ask questions, and walk away with practical tools you can use in your own practice and classroom right away.
Cost: Free for Members, $5.00 for NonMembers
Live Raffle! Attend the webinar for a chance to win one of two prizes:
• $25 Gift Card to Outdoor Learning School & Store,
generously donated by Outdoor Learning School & Store
• One-Year PAEE Membership
All attendees present during the live webinar will be eligible to win!
WESTERN PA IN PERSON REGIONAL EVENT: STEELS for Non-formal Educators
Wednesday, December 9, 2026, 1:00 - 4:00 PM EST
Western PA non-formal educators! On December 9th, join Miranda Crotsley (Education Supervisor at Jennings Environmental Education Center) & Dr. Becky Franklin (Teacher at Hempfield Area School District) to align your lessons to Pennsylvania STEELS Standards! Over the course of three hours you will get to see how STEELS works & learn how fun it is to teach with these standards. Everyone is encouraged to bring a print out of a lesson they would like to start to align to STEELS. Registration is limited to 30 participants, so sign up today!
Cost: Free for Members, $5.00 for NonMember
Location: Jennings Environmental Learning Center (2951 Prospect Rd, Slippery Rock, PA 16057)
What to bring: A physical printout of a lesson that you want to align to STEELS
GEN:THRIVE: Data Tools for Environmental Education Organizations
Wednesday, April 7, 2027, 1:00 - 2:00 PM EST
We’ll walk through how organizations use Gen:Thrive to spot where programs already exist and where gaps remain, layer in climate risk and community data, and build a stronger case in grant proposals. We’ll also cover how listing your programs in the directory can boost your visibility with educators, districts, and funders.
Whether you’re planning an expansion, building new partnerships, or making the case for funding, come ready to explore and leave with practical tools to ground your work in real data.
Cost: Free for Members, $5.00 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!
