Professional Development

Experiential learning is no small undertaking. It requires engaging students in relevant, high-quality learning experiences that allow them to construct meaning and rigorously push their academic growth. To pull this off, teachers must plan, teach, and assess in new ways. In turn, teachers need to experience professional development that models and parallels the same ideals. Carlson’s educators have engaged in multiple professional development sessions on how to teach in and with nature, as well as how to leverage fieldwork, service learning, and experts to motivate students to deeper learning. Beyond our weekly professional development, we’ve launched the last three school years by engaging in experiential learning, through a community scavenger hunt, connecting in the outdoors, and working through escape room challenges.