Teacher Workshops

For over three decades, Willow Bend has been offering teachers and non-formal educators high-quality, locally-focused professional development opportunities.  Our teacher workshops are usually offered in three or six hour blocks and are recognized by the Flagstaff Unified School District for seat hours and continuing education credits.

Willow Bend Teacher Workshops are usually free to participants.  However, space is always limited and prior sign-up is required.

Upcoming

Past Workshops

Story Maps in the Classroom, February 22nd + 23rd, 9AM-3PM

Educators will collect and organize data and learn how to use and create map-centered digital stories through ArcGIS. This is a hands-on workshop. Over the course of two days, you will move from collecting and organizing data to mapping that data to finally creating a story map with the data. By the time you leave on Sunday, you will have a finished product. Our hope is that by going through the entire experience in the workshop, you will be better prepared to guide your students through this process.

Formal and non-formal teachers welcomed, recommended for grade 3 teachers and above. Limited space available, RSVP to reserve your spot.

Click here to register for the Story Maps in the Classroom Teacher Workshop.

Climate Change and Renewable Energy, January 25th, 9AM-3PM

Join Willow Bend Environmental Education Center and the City of Flagstaff Sustainability Section to learn about climate change and renewable energy curriculum and teacher check-out kits (4th-12th grades). The first section of the workshop will cover the 2020 Youth Climate Summit, local climate change threats and how you can mentor youth through a climate action project. The second section of the workshop will cover renewable energy teacher check-out kits and prepare mentors for the KidWind Challenge. Workshop is free and open to teachers and nonformal educators. Lunch included.

Frances Short Pond, Friday October 5th 2-5:30PM

Willow Bend will be leading an afternoon teacher workshop to Frances Short Pond* exploring  this urban outdoor gem through hands on educational activities, review of check out kits, available resources, and more.

The workshop is designed for K-5 teachers and non formal environmental educators who want to take students on field trips to the pond or design in-class activities that focus on local wildlife, habitats, and watersheds. Specifically, the workshop will cover pond and cabin history, facilitate a few fun wildlife focused activities that can be done on or off site, conduct basic water quality testing, and review check out kits and materials available for teacher use at the cabin.

Workshop is open to K-5 teachers and non-formal environmental educators.Limited spots! Please register asap.

FUSD teachers, please register on TrueNorthLogic course #49667 to receive 301 funding. All others can sign up on our website.

For more information contact Cassandra Roberts at cassandra@willowbendcenter.org, or call (928) 779-1745.
**Interested in open space and good outdoor locations for field trips? check out our Picture Canyon  workshop on Saturday, Oct 6th. Please note, you need to register separately for each workshop.

Picture Canyon Saturday, October 6th, 8:30AM-12:30PM

Willow Bend will be leading a morning teacher workshop to Picture Canyon Natural and Cultural Preserve*. Participants will explore this unique open space on a 3 mile hike covering the natural and human history, highlighting points of interest (including the petroglyphs and the waterfall) and sharing fun hands on activities. The workshop is designed for teachers and non formal environmental educators.

We will meet at Picture Canyon. Participants should provide their own lunch, and be ready to spend the day outside (weather permitting).

FUSD teachers, please register on TrueNorthLogic course #49668 to receive 301 funding. All others can sign up on our website.

For more information contact Cassandra Roberts at cassandra@willowbendcenter.org, or call (928) 779-1745.
*Interested in open space and good outdoor locations for field trips? check out our Frances Short Pond workshop on Friday, Oct 5th. Please note, you need to register separately for each workshop.

Picture Canyon and Frances Short Pond, Nov 4th 8:30AM-3PM

Willow Bend be leading a Picture Canyon and Frances Short Pond teacher workshop on Saturday, November 4th from 8:30am-3pm. Participants will explore both locations and learn engaging and educational hands on activities and in-class program ideas, review available teacher resources and kits, learn how to conduct a bioblitz and how to use inaturalist, and hear from experts and guest speakers.

 Participants must have their own transportation, provide their own lunch, and be ready to spend the day outside (weather permitting).

Participation certificates will be awarded upon completion. 

Workshop is open to all interested teachers and educators but limited to 20 participants. Workshop is eligible for 301 funding for FUSD teachers, please sign-up online on True North Logic. All other teachers and educators, please sign up on our website. For more information conatct Cassandra Roberts at cassandra@willowbendcenter.org, or call (928) 779-1745.
 
 

Grant Writing for Environmental Education Profesionals, June 16th 10AM-1PM

Join Willow Bend Environmental Education Center and Coconino County Conservation District for a grant writing workshop designed to help environmental educators and non-profit professionals search, craft, and present superior grant applications.
 
Workshop covers grant writing fundamentals while offering an insiders perspective on what funders and review panelists are looking for in a grant application. Workshop will include a presentation, group work, interactive participation, and more.
 
Workshop is led by Eric Marcus, Chief Administrative Officer - The NARBHA Institute and Executive Director of the Northern Arizona Sustainable Economic Development Initiative (SEDI). Eric’s education and professional experience have been in information systems, corporate and technology law, business strategy and senior management. Eric is an internationally recognized keynote speaker, seminar leader and author. 
 
Workshop is offered FREE of charge to Conservation District environmental education centers, environmental education professionals, teachers, and non-profit organizations. All others, cost $15/participant. Lunch will be provided.
 
Spots are limited. Please sign-up TODAY to secure your spot.
For more information contact Moran Henn, moran@willowbendcenter.org, (928) 779-1745.

A Rio Runs Through It, September 17th 8:30am-3:00pm

Willow Bend will be leading an outdoor, Rio de Flag and open space focused teacher workshop. The workshop will include a visit to Picture Canyon and Frances Short Pond. The workshop will include a visit to both locations, as well as ideas for in-class activities. Workshop is currently only open for teachers partnering with Willow Bend on the Rio Runs Through It project. Teachers not partnering on the project, who still want to participate can contact Cassandra Roberts at cassandra@willowbendcenter.org.

Renewable Energy - Wind and Solar, October 8th, 8:30am-1pm

In partnership with Wind for Schools and Prometheus Solar we will be leading an educational workshop about wind and solar energy.  From the very basics of renewable energy to hands on classroom activities and access to teaching materials and kits.

Limited spots. Sign-up required.

Workshop Schedule:

8:30 – Arrive and introduction about workshop and willow bend

8:45 – The science of solar, Ryan Hotlz, Prometheus Solar.

9:30 – Solar teacher activities, Moran Henn, Willow Bend.

10:15 – Short snack break

10:30-  The science of Solar, Karin Wadsack, Wind for Schools.

11:15– Wind teacher activities, Karin W.

12:00 – Wrap up and summary

12:30 – Certifications