Professional Development

SWEP offers a number of trainings designed to help formal and non-formal educators develop and hone their knowledge and skills in the area of place based servcie learning curriculum and pedagogoy. Workshop attendees become more familiar with place based service learning, learn new curriculum activities and connect with community partners to participate in local service learning proejcts.

For a list of currently scheduled workshops, check the Professional Development Calendar

Workshops we offer:

Community Leaders in the Classroom

Designed for non-formal educators, this training introduces participants to some ideas and resources for working with k-12 youth.  Learn about education issues, working with classrooms, cognitive development of youth, effective lesson planning.  Participants will learn how to write a lesson plan using activities and ideas presented in the class. 

Place-Based Service Learning Introduction

Place-Based Service Learning (PBSL) is a teaching method that focuses on the local community throughout the learning process.  Students learn to value what is local; the unique watershed, history, environment, culture, economy, literature and art of their place.  PBSL derives its essential elements from the educational philosophies of high-quality service learning, environmental education, and problem/project-based learning.

Project Citizen

Project Citizen is a middle school civic education program designed to develop interest in public policy making as well as the ability to participate competently and responsibly in state and local government.  This portfolio-based program provides the teacher / leader with a free set of books that guides the process of selecting a local issue to study and devise an action plan to effect change.  Students interview public officials,  research facts and present their findings as a team.

Project Learning Tree

Project Learning Tree® (PLT) is an award winning, multi-disciplinary environmental education program for educators and students in PreK-grade 12. PLT, a program of the American Forest Foundation, is one of the most widely used environmental education programs in the United States and abroad. PLT meets state and national education standards.  The curriculum materials provide the tools educators need to bring the environment into the classroom and their students into the environment. Topics range from forests, wildlife, and water, to community planning, waste management and energy.

Project WET (Water Education for Teachers)

SWEP staff are trained Project WET facilitators. Please contact us to host your next workshop.

River of Words

River of Words is an environmental art and poetry program created to promote watershed awareness, literacy, and the arts. Through an annual art and poetry contest and educator's tools, River of Words helps communities explore the natural and cultural history of their own home grounds.

Schoolyard Habitats—National Wildlife Foundation (NWF) training

Service Learning 101 & Service Learning Treasure Chest--In this fast paced, interactive workshop, you will receive the basics of service learning and reflection ideas to revitalize yourself.  Every teacher will receive over 100 student reflection activities and a ‘treasure chest’ of materials for the classroom. 

Teacher's Interpretive Hike Series--Compelling arguments from Richard Louv’s book Last Child in the Woods indicate that getting kids outside and into nature is essential for developing not only a sense of place, but also for developing a sense of wonder and imagination, intra- and inter-personal skills, and compassion. 

The Teacher’s Interpretive Hike Series is an exciting opportunity for educators to explore the local area with resource professionals and experts, focusing on specific aspects of our unique watershed.   Educators will gain ideas and information on how to interpret nature and science in the field with their students.  The goal of this program is to increase your comfort level using the environment as an integrating context for learning and provide a deeper understanding of specific watershed topics.

Teach Tahoe Curriculum-- This workshop is open to teachers and community leaders wanting to learn more about the Teach Tahoe curriculum developed by SWEP, LTEEC and various community partners. Learn how to use the curriculum in and out of the classroom.

The four topics are covered in the Teach Tahoe Curriculum are:  Watersheds and Water Quality, Erosion and Best Management Practices (BMP’s), Native Plants and Restoration and Fire and Defensible Space.

Trout in the Classroom

Trout in the Classroom (TIC) is an environmental education program in which students in grades k-12 . . .

• raise trout from eggs to fry.
• monitor tank water quality.
• engage in stream habitat study.
• learn to appreciate water resources.
• begin to foster a conservation ethic.
• grow to understand ecosystems.

During the year each teacher tailors the program to fit his or her curricular needs.  Therefore, each program is unique.  TIC has interdisciplinary applications in science, social studies, mathematics, language arts, fine arts, and physical education.  Lake Tahoe and Truckee teachers can find more information about the Lahontan Cutthroat trout and lessons by going to our Resources page.

The overview of the professional development program is available.

• 530-525-9457 • PO Box 1096, Homewood CA 96141 • Revised 9/7/06