PLACE-BASED EDUCATORS INSTITUTE
Place-Based Educators Institute
The Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative (GLSI) designed the Place-Based Educators (PBE) Institute to benefit PK-12 educators who are just getting started or need new approaches in place-based teaching and student learning. GLSI Launched the PBE Institute in 2024 to help educators throughout the Great Lakes region develop their understanding of:
- the core principles of place-based education,
- associated benefits and research-based findings,
- cross-curricular standards alignment opportunities,
- best practices and implementation strategies, and
- the elements of GLSI’s Place-Based Stewardship Education model.
Participants will also gain exposure to connections between place-based education and Great Lakes ecosystems and related issues by exploring resources from NOAA’s Great Lakes B-WET Meaningful Watershed Education Experience framework and the Center for Great Lakes Literacy Principles.
By the end of the institute, participants will have the skills and tools necessary to take their next steps in using place as a context for learning.
The Institute takes place across seven Zoom-based sessions in February and March 2026, so you can attend from anywhere.
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS:
- $200 stipend
- 4 hours of 1:1 coaching and implementation support with GLSI’s PBE Facilitator/Coaches
- Permanent access to a PBE Professional Learning Community online platform
- Access to GLSI’s PBE Teacher Toolkit and Planning Guide
- Access to follow-on webinars to continue PBE professional learning
Why Attend the Institute?
Institute participants say it best!
This was an exceptionally well thought out and organized course.
– 2024 PBE Institute Participant
I love talking to other teachers and you, the experts. The collaboration is so valuable—I love hearing all the ideas and encouragement. I also love how you provide resources for all the steps.
– 2025 PBE Institute Participant
I like how much detail was provided and all of the speakers were very helpful, understanding, and enthusiastic! This was an awesome professional development!
– 2024 PBE Institute Participant
I enjoy hearing about what other teachers are doing and getting ideas on how to better implement for my classes. I also like the resources you have available especially the case studies we looked at.
– 2025 PBE Institute Participant
I like how much detail was provided and all of the speakers were very helpful, understanding, and enthusiastic! This was an awesome professional development!
– 2024 PBE Institute Participant
I found the sample lessons provided by Patti and the breakout room conversation so valuable.
– 2025 PBE Institute Participant
Upcoming Institute
Click below to find out more about our PBE Institute and to apply to participate!
