TTEC: Empowered through Collaboration

TTEC Participant Kristy Duris

I will describe the summer institute for TTEC in one word – amazing. Amazing teachers, amazing presenters, amazing facility, amazing food- all of these elements came together to create an inspirational, motivating experience for me. I left with a strong grasp on the philosophy of place based service learning, as well as a vast amount of strategies and tools to help me implement it.
I would like to commend TTEC for modeling the main ideas of the program during the summer institute. First, NCTC fully embodied the the principle “grounded in place.” This facility provided an optimal environment (trails, trees, rivers, flowers, ATC center, etc.) to practice and understand how place matters when learning new concepts and skills, such as we were. TTEC is the most “real” professional development I have attended in years; what I do with this information will impact my students as they learn about community, the natural world, and more. Through the tools and information presented by everyone in TTEC, I am “empowered.” I feel as though I can do and will do. The fourth principle, “collaboration,” is the strength of my success in this program. My colleague and I joined TTEC together and developed an interdisciplinary unit between wellness and English. In addition to that, we both have whole school goals, working collaboratively with the entire school to bring an increased awareness to our staff and students about “place.” These principles reside more than just in my mind, they truly have become a part of my heart and how I want to live.
I experienced several “a-ha” moments during the week, I had a revelation that includes using the AT as the focal point for my 9th wellness course. I realized that with the AT as the focal point, I could teach several of the power standards of my discipline, such as decision making and advocacy for health, around it. With the same idea in mind, I had my second revelation; my 8^th Project Venture class (which is focused on service learning) could be a focal point for the core classes (math, science, English, etc.). Project Venture can help teach those skills/concepts through our experience with placed based service learning. And this is just the beginning.
I am grateful to teachers in this cohort as well, sharing their experiences helped me shape my goals for PBSL. I was impressed with the rigor of the expectations as well as with TTEC's incorporation of education's current best practices (UBD, CCSS, etc.). Also, I am confident that I can write a grant, thanks to the grant writing workshop. I found each part of the summer institute valuable, relevant, and engaging. Thank you, TTEC!

Post and picture by Kristy Duris

Profile School

Bethlehem, NH

TTEC 2013 Applications!

 “I believe every teacher should be a part of such an exciting, integrative,

inspirational program! This is one of the fewworkshops that provided

me with tools, networking opportunities, ideas . . . to enable my classroom to come to life . .. .”

—Jennifer Wyland, Life Science Teacher,Kutztown M.S.,TTEC 2008

Are you a TTEC alumni and want to give someone in your school the nudge to try it for themselves?
Are you familiar with TTEC but been waiting to try it out?
The time is NOW!
The 2013 application is out, and the deadline is March 15!
Please help us spread the word about this incredible opportunity!
Share this link for information about the 2013 program and application:
http://tinyurl.com/ttec2013

Some highlights:

• The Trail to Every Classroom (TTEC) program includes all lodging, meals, and materials.  
• There is a $50 administrative fee, waived for Appalachian Trail Conservancy members.  To become a member, please visit our website.Presenters include national experts in Place-Based ServiceLearning and Curriculum Development.
•  You are expected to develop curriculum with an Appalachian Trail focus.
• Three graduate credits are optional and offered for a fee of $637.50 through Mary Baldwin College. Credits awarded fall 2013.
• Support for your curriculum development and implementation through an increasing network of educators, as well as A.T. and Trail management partners.

Reflection on Institute 2011

I thought it worth sharing Tom's email after the recent TTEC institute:

You all have been on my mind and heart since our week together… I wanted to say thanks to all of you for sharing your passion and ideas for wanting to get your students & fellow teachers outside and connected to Nature. As I “reflect” on the week – all of it was special but your presentations were “wicked good” and our closing circle was very meaningful for me. Your energy has given me hope, inspiration and validation in what we all do…to engage our students and other teachers to be aware, appreciate and put into action the importance of our natural resources – especially the Appalachian Trail! This experience at our summer institute has helped me focus on my own Naturalist training this week with my staff – I have used some techniques and reflection exercises with them…thanks.

Here is a link to some research that might help you encourage why we need to do this important work with many areas of concerns you all shared during the week…from other teachers, administrators, & all grants you guys will get…

Just let me know what I can do for you in the future…I will pass on some more resources to help you in the future.

Enjoyed meeting and being with you all (southerners) or you guys (northerners…)

Wicked good time!

Tom

Tom Howick, C.I.G.
Director of Education
Master Naturalist Coordinator
Chattahoochee Nature Center