We are thrilled to announce the continuation of our cohort model to the 2023 Summer Institute for Climate Change Education happening July 17th–22nd!
18 regional partners across North America are working to create an innovative, collaborative, and solutions-focused virtual conference with our team. Since January, cohort partners have participated in monthly collaborative working meetings to develop the themes, content, and structure of the Summer Institute, which also informs the following year of Teach Climate Network programming. Cohort partners each lead mini-workshops on the third day of the Institute, focusing on climate change impacts, solutions, and relationships within their regions.
Educators attending the Institute will join cohort leaders to create a community focused on climate change solutions and climate justice, and gain access to education resources during the Summer Institute. This year’s cohort leaders are climate change education experts within their communities, and we are incredibly excited and fortunate they will be joining us this summer and beyond.
Say hello to the 2023 Summer Institute cohort regions and leaders!
Uta Meyer
Center Manager, Little Rock Audubon Center
Amy Frame
Director of Strategic Partnerships, Ten Strands
“As California educators, we know the time is NOW to teach about climate change and environmental justice. This Summer Institute has become an amazing meeting place for us to share great ideas for teaching, learning, and being in community with folks working for climate justice from every angle. We get to reflect on what is unique to California’s students, but also how we are part of a much bigger movement.”
Kathryn Melrose
Executive Director, Alberta Council for Environmental Education
Dixie Taylor
Director of Programs, Alberta Council for Environmental Education
“We are passionate about supporting teachers and students as they navigate ways to engage and participate in climate solutions. The Alberta Council for Environmental Education believes our children and youth have an important voice in changing how we view our current environmental crisis.”
– Dixie Taylor
Danika Strecko
Education Senior Manager, Project Learning Tree Canada
James Thordarson
Forest Education Coordinator, Project Learning Tree Canada
“We all have the opportunity to make a difference and take action when it comes to climate change. And it begins with education. That’s why Project Learning Tree Canada is excited to join the Summer Institute for Climate Generation as a cohort lead this year, helping to empower educators throughout Canada to confidently teach about climate change through advanced content knowledge and high-quality resources.”
– Danika Strecko
Barbara Martinez-Guerrero
Executive Director, Dream in Green
Alexandra Ender
Program Manager, Dream in Green
Elise Trelegan
Chesapeake B-WET Program Coordinator, NOAA
Jennifer Ayers
Educator, Patrick County High School
Danielle Hefferan
Regional Education Coordinator, Climate Generation
“Helping to personalize and localize climate action to my regional community brings me so much joy!”
Marie Fargo
Instructional Resources Coordinator, Climate Generation
“This is my third Summer Institute, and each year I’m so grateful to meet a new group of educators who are excited to weave climate change into their work! I’m looking forward to discussing climate change with an intersectional lens, sharing our stories, and celebrating our past, present, and future efforts to build our students’ climate literacy!”
Allison Mulch
Director of Education, New Jersey Audubon
“New Jersey is very excited to participate in this national collaboration for teaching about climate change. Our cohort will be prepared to integrate the new climate changed education standards with a focus on teamwork, solutions, and hope.”
Hannah Barg
Youth Climate Program Manager, The Wild Center
“I believe that looking at climate change through a place-based lens is critical to better understanding climate change and working towards a just transition in all of our communities. The Cohort Day provides an opportunity to dive deeper into how concepts from the rest of the Institute apply to our own regions and lives. I am excited to convene the New York Cohort this year to ignite a community of practice across the state working towards equitable climate change education & solutions”
Jen Kretser
Director of Climate Initiatives, The Wild Center
“The Summer Institute is a nationally recognized initiative with an incredible line-up of speakers, presenters and workshops that get to the heart of understanding the intersection of climate change science, impacts, social justice and solutions. The resources and support provided by Climate Generation is top-notch and it is very inspiring to work with the best climate change educators and organizations from across the country. Having access and opportunity to interact with educators and teachers from all over is really motivating. I also appreciate our ability as the New York State Cohort leads, to focus on issues and opportunities directly related to our place.”
Katie Boyd
Program Manager, CLEAN
“CLEAN has led a cohort with the Summer Institute for two years and enjoys the process. We find value in connecting with educators and supporting them as they implement climate change into their practice. We hope to continue supporting Climate Generation and the many amazing educators who attend the Summer Institute.”
Colleen Kelley
Education Director, Hitchcock Center for the Environment
“I’m excited to connect with other teachers in our area to form relationships, bring them on board to join our Youth Climate Summits, and introduce them to the Hitchcock Center’s climate work.”
Brittany Gutermuth
Climate Change Education Program Manager, Mass Audubon
“I’m excited to return as a cohort leader this summer to continue to support educators wherever they may be in their climate journey.”
Carrie Hawthorne
Southeast Region Lead Education Coordinator, Mass Audubon
“The Summer Institute for Climate Education has been an inspiring opportunity to connect with educators and community leaders from across the Northeast to ensure that the students and teachers in our region are activated and empowered to act through hopeful climate change education. I have been so impressed by the speakers, workshops, and most importantly the passionate and thought-provoking conversations on cohort day – can’t wait for 2023!”
Karina Peggau
Program Coordinator, Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center
“I am excited to join the Summer Institute for Climate Gen because it builds upon the climate outreach that we are currently doing in Central Ohio. Climate change affects people differently depending on where they live and the resources available to them, and I hope that the knowledge shared during the Summer Institute for Climate Change Education will help us all transition to a resilient future – together.”
Mark Reardon
Director of Education, Communitopia
Sarah Johnson
Climate Change Education Specialist, WildRose Education
“I am looking forward to meeting and learning from the participants from the Rocky Mountain region how climate change solutions are emerging in their communities. I love bringing together educators and regional climate expertise, to engage in intentional explorations and investigations, all through a lens of equity and justice for everything. Exploring and learning about climate change and education at so many human and natural world scales with so many lenses is inspiring, eye-opening, expansive, and creates real-world relevant understandings of how all people are and can be part of climate solutions.”
Marie Gorman
Director of Operations, STEM4REAL
“STEM4Real is excited to bring solutionary educators together with Climate Generation to brainstorm on ways we can positively impact climate change using a socially just lens, #4Real! STEM4Real is focused on ensuring STEM is a possibility for every student, regardless of their background. Ingrained in our mission is to ensure there is a Planet Earth to “house” our beautiful students so we have to address environmental justice AND STEM to fully address climate change.”
Jill Watson
Instructional Resources Coordinator, STEM4REAL
“I am excited to work with like-minded educators to bring climate justice to the forefront in their classrooms and schools! Nature helps me stay positive and grounded so I know being part of this amazing group will further nurture what nature does to me through collaboration and connection with amazing educator!”
Dr. Leena Bakshi McLean
Executive Director, STEM4REAL
“I am passionate about working with educators to harness a sense of belonging in the classroom through our STEM4Real framework of Connect-Create-Cultivate. Being part of this Summer Institute will be filling all of my “C” buckets especially as we discuss environmental justice in relation to climate change.”
Samara Hamze
Program Manager, KEEP
“I am excited to collaborate with educators who are passionate about integrating climate change education because it is NOT too late for action! Working together as we build resilient professional networks will give us the strength and stamina we need to carry the light of hope as we inspire and get inspired to fundamentally change how we source and distribute energy in society.”
Gina Smith
Resource Specialist, Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education
“I am excited to work alongside educators at the intersection of climate data, conversations, stories, and solutions. My wish is for educators to return to their communities with the skills and tools to create hope in their students and inspire them to take action for a more equitable and sustainable future.”
Victoria Rydberg-Nania
Environmental Education & Service-Learning Consultant, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
“I am excited to help teachers connect, explore, and engage with climate education. Climate education fits in every classroom and taking a place-based approach to this learning allows students to apply concepts in their own community which increases engagement and develops future leaders!”