Community of Practice Meeting

Join us for part two of our three-part Community of Practice Expert Series on August 28th, at 3 PM, spotlighting the innovative insights of Jenny Seydel, our esteemed Executive Director. Part two of this three-part series will continue to dive into the exploration of educational strategies, focusing on the transformative power of 4PBL (Phenomena-, Place-, Project-, and Problem-Based Learning). Participants will engage in expert-led discussions with opportunities for further inquiry in how to effectively assess learning throughout the 4PBL process. These conversations will continue to focus on how to integrate real-world issues into classroom learning to create impactful and sustainable educational experiences. As we navigate through these sessions, the focus will be on cultivating solution-based thinking among educators and students alike, encouraging the development of practical solutions to complex challenges

Join us and our expert Jenny Seydel as we explore different approaches to building and fostering strong, sustainable communities within our schools and districts and across our Green Schools National Network.

CoP Discussion Topic Coming Soon!

David DenHartog will be leading a three-part Community of Practice workshop series, drawing on insights and strategies from the recent “Executive Education for Sustainability Leadership” program he completed at Harvard University. This intensive 12-week course provided an in-depth exploration of the complexities involved in realizing large-scale sustainability goals, including navigating the unpredictable path of progress. Participants engaged in developing idea flow maps and integrating biomimicry and life principles into leadership strategies. In this focused workshop series, attendees will gain valuable takeaways from the Harvard program, designed to enhance the effectiveness and success of sustainability initiatives.

Join us for Part 2 of our three part Community of Practice series! Even if you missed Part 1, you can still join in and benefit from David DenHartog's insights from the "Executive Education for Sustainability Leadership" program he completed at Harvard University. Join us to gain practical strategies and key takeaways to help advance sustainability initiatives, drawing on concepts such as biomimicry, leadership principles, and navigating the complexities of large-scale sustainability goals.

We’ll explore the concept of "Emergence," connecting insights from previous sessions on "Idea Flow Maps" and "Mutualism," and offering new perspectives on how learning from nature can inform effective leadership strategies.

Building Climate-Literate Schools: From Classroom Practice to Systemwide Impact - Part 1 "What if every student left school not only understanding climate change but feeling empowered to lead solutions? This two-part Community of Practice invites educators and district leaders to reimagine climate literacy as a driver of student agency, equity, and whole-system transformation. In collaboration with Lyra Colorado, we’ll explore how the Seal of Climate Literacy—a new statewide initiative recently signed into Colorado law—can be adapted as a powerful framework for schools across the country. The Seal serves as a catalyst for embedding sustainability into district strategy, professional learning, and community engagement—not just as a subject, but as a shared mission. What You’ll Gain: Tools and real-world examples from schools using the Seal to guide change Strategies to align climate literacy with curriculum, instruction, and operations A national community of practice committed to building climate-ready schools Whether or not your state has adopted similar policy, this series will help you apply the spirit of the Seal in your local context, so that every student can thrive in a climate-resilient future." Speakers Ellarie is a passionate advocate for educational equity, dedicated to transforming the U.S. public education system to be more […]

Building Climate-Literate Schools: From Classroom Practice to Systemwide Impact - Part 2 "How do districts move from commitment to transformation?" In the second session of our two-part Community of Practice, we’ll dive into the real-world application of the Seal of Climate Literacy as a tool for institutional accountability, instructional innovation, and student-led change. Through district spotlights, implementation roadmaps, and collaborative dialogue, participants will explore how to: Align curriculum and professional learning with climate literacy outcomes Foster authentic student agency in climate action Build cross-departmental and cross-sector leadership to drive long-term change Embed climate literacy metrics into school improvement goals and system-wide evaluation In partnership with Lyra Colorado, we’ll go beyond theory to examine how districts are scaling climate literacy systemically—and what it takes to lead that shift. Whether or not your state has adopted similar policy, this series will help you apply the spirit of the Seal in your local context, so that every student can thrive in a climate-resilient future." Speakers Mary Seawell, CEO of Lyra Colorado, and districts bringing the Seal of Climate Literacy to life. More info

CTE - Green Energy Careers (Posibly explore cohorts by region) What if students could graduate ready to lead in the clean energy transition? This session explores how Career and Technical Education (CTE) can serve as a powerful pathway to prepare students for high-demand jobs in clean energy, sustainability, and climate resilience. We’ll highlight innovative programs and partnerships that blend hands-on learning with real-world impact equipping students not only with technical skills, but with a sense of purpose and possibility in shaping a more sustainable future. Speakers 👤 Dan Hinderliter – Associate Director of State Policy at Advance CTE, where he leads work on modernized Career Clusters, the Green in CTE strategy, and technical assistance for high-quality CTE nationwide. 👤 Mason Pashia – Partner (Storytelling) at Getting Smart Collective, shaping the organization’s media on futures thinking, sustainability, and arts education through blogs, podcasts, and publications. School Partner Spotlight Vista Grande High School (NM) with Jim Smith + Adel Kosanke on CTE, internships, and their UNM–Taos partnership.

Digital Sustainability: Small Digital Choices, Real Environmental Impact Get ready for our January Community of Practice focused on an often overlooked area of school sustainability: our everyday digital practices. We’ll explore how common digital actions (from emails and cloud storage to video meetings) carry environmental impact, and why intention matters more than perfection when using technology more sustainably.