PLACE-BASED EDUCATOR FELLOWSHIP
Place-Based Educator Fellowship
Advance Your Place-Based Practice. Connect Across Michigan.
Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative (GLSI) invites experienced K-12 classroom educators to apply for the 2026-27 Place-Based Educator Fellowship, a year-long professional learning experience to deepen your place-based education (PBE) practice, develop as a school/community leader, and collaborate with peer educators throughout Michigan.
This statewide fellowship is designed for educators who self-identify as having developed an advanced understanding and implementation of PBE in their school and community. Participants will refine high-impact projects, collaborate with a professional learning community, and gain support to grow student leadership, strengthen community partnerships, and align PBE with school and district priorities.
Why Join?
This fellowship is more than professional development—it’s a collaborative space for teacher-leaders to reflect, imagine, and grow. With the support of peers and mentors across Michigan, participants will explore how to:
- cultivate student leadership and voice,
- build reciprocal community partnerships,
- align PBE with school and district priorities,
- design inclusive and impactful projects, and
- extend inquiry and community-based action over time.
What You’ll Experience
Fall Learning Institute
Dive into advanced-level topics grounded in GLSI’s Guiding Principles for Exemplary Place-Based Stewardship Education. Each session includes collaborative activities, project reflection, and implementation planning. In addition to live sessions (held via Zoom), participants will complete up to a half hour of self-guided leadership development work each week of the institute.
Virtual Institute Schedule
Tuesdays, 4:30–5:30 pm ET on the following dates:
- October 6
- October 13
- October 20
- October 27
- November 10
- November 17
2027 Monthly Meetings Tuesdays, 4:30–5:30 pm ET on the following dates:
- January 19
- February 9
- March 9
- April 27 (Teacher Showcase & Year-End Celebration)
1:1 Project Implementation & Leadership Support
Receive up to 8 hours of individualized project design and implementation support, fundraising strategy consultation, leadership coaching, and/or collaboration with other educators from your school/district. 1:1 support provided by GLSI Place-Based Stewardship Education (PBSE) Specialists (former classroom teachers/principals) throughout the school year.
National Networking
Leverage a scholarship to attend the 2027 National Place-Based Education Conference (October 2027 in Southeast Michigan)!
Project Support & Visibility
Expand or complete a project with students, develop tools and resources to share your learning, and contribute to statewide models of exemplary practice.
Who Should Apply
We’re looking for educators who:
- Teach in a Michigan K-12 school
- Have considerable experience teaching with a place-based approach and implementing student-driven place-based projects beyond the classroom, and are ready to deepen their practice
- Want to develop and grow as school/community leaders through place-based education efforts
- Are committed to engaging in statewide peer mentorship and collaboration
Only 15 slots are available for the 2026-27 cohort!
Additional Benefits
- $500 stipend to honor your time and commitment
- Up to 32 SCECH credits (2026-27 state application pending)
- Scholarship to the 2027 National PBE Conference
- A network of peers and mentors across Michigan.
Apply Now!
Application Process: Now Open
Deadline to apply: Rolling application until filled
Questions: Contact Patty Tolly at Patty@greatlakesstewardship.org
