Applications OPEN NOW- Educators of Excellence Institutes

Our applications for summer 2024 Educators of Excellence Institutes are now open! These Institutes are part of our Educators of Excellence program, which has been taking teachers to outstanding natural areas since 1987. They are supported by the Educators of Excellence Fund, so the cost for all participants is reduced. Additional scholarships are available if needed.
In order to qualify, you need to have been working full-time in education for at least 3 years as a classroom teacher (any subject area, including specials), administrator, non-formal educator, or university professor who works with teachers. You also need to plan to continue teaching in North Carolina next year.
Apply now to join us for:
Yellowstone Institute (June 13-22, 2024)
Activity Level: Moderate to rigorous including walking and hiking (up to 5 miles) on uneven terrain at high altitudes.
Cost: $1000
• Experience one of North America’s greatest concentrations of wildlife.
• Observe world-class geological wonders.
• Learn about the history and management of America’s first national park.
• Learn from scientists and experts.

Participating educators will study and experience the wonders of our first national park. Observe wildlife and geology from sunrise to sunset. Have incredible field experiences, meet with experts, and do hands-on activities designed to help integrate your experiences into the classroom. Discover strategies for exploring the connections between Yellowstone and North Carolina — wolf and elk reintroduction, fire ecology, resource management issues and much more.

Blue Ridge Institute (July 14-22, 2024)
Activity Level: Moderate to rigorous activity including tent camping most nights, walking and hiking on uneven terrain (up to 5 miles), and swimming and snorkeling in cold mountain streams.
Cost: $400
• Immerse yourself in the wilds of western North Carolina
• Hike to waterfalls and balds
• Snorkel a mountain stream
• Sleep under the stars
• Learn from scientists and experts

Participating educators will study and experience the wonders of North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Join us as we traverse the Blue Ridge Parkway from Cherry Lane to Cherokee, exploring the wonders of this incredibly biodiverse region of North Carolina. Learn from scientists and other experts about the ecology, geology, history, and culture of the Blue Ridge.

Applications and Supervisor recommendation are due January 22, 2024.

Find out more and apply today! (please scroll to bottom of the page to find the application)
(https://educatorsofexcellence.org/about/)