Teton Science Schools is an organization founded in 1967 in northwest Wyoming and eastern Idaho that integrates classroom-based, field-based, and teacher professional development in six unique programs. The schools are deeply rooted in place as a means to increase student/teacher engagement, student learning outcomes, and community impact. Our organization has educated, trained and inspired thousands of children, youth and adults, bringing them together through place-based education on one of our four campuses or in schools/districts nationwide.

Nate McClennen - Vice President for Education and Innovation, Place Network Program Director and Founder: Nate was part of the founding faculty at Journeys School in 2001 and was appointed Head of Journeys School in 2006. In 2015, Nate became the Director of Education and Innovation to focus on how to scale the impact of Teton Science Schools through technology, innovation, design learning, and school networks. Since 1993, he has taught science and math at the secondary level and science at the university level. Nate received a Klingenstein Heads Fellowship in 2009 with Teachers College at Columbia University and taught as a field instructor for the graduate program in independent school leadership at Columbia University. Nate is part of the Education Reimagined movement, runs an educational technology company, started a mini-Maker-Faire, and believes that learning happens all around us, not just in the classroom.

Margot Angstrom - Director of Place Network Online: Margot was a founder and division head of the middle school at the Journeys School in Jackson, Wyoming, serving the school for ten years. Her interests and talents in many disciplines helped her form the basis and heart of the school, as well as design a field-based summer programs which used the arts to teach ecological concepts. Investigating learner outcomes of these programs was the basis of her Masters in Education thesis and informs her teaching today. Currently Margot is writing an activity guide to help families explore their backyards, neighborhood parks, and open spaces. Margot enjoys cross-fit, skiing, needlepoint, and the teachable moments offered to her and her family, as they explore their home in the Chesapeake Bay. Since 2015 Margot has spearheaded the design and implementation of the Place Network Online program. She is an original Place Network team member.

Tina Forino - Curriculum Design Team - Place Network Online: Tina earned her undergraduate degree in Geoscience and her Masters in Science Education. She has taught preschool to elderhostel, in rural to urban settings, in classroom to field environments, across six states. Tina was a lead teacher at Journeys School Elementary and a teacher of high school special education students in Earth Science, working closely with other teachers, school support personnel, and parents in empathetic collaboration to create a web of support for students. Working on the Place Network Team is an integral part of her lifestyle as she raises three young children in rural Wyoming.

Kate Gessford - Curriculum Design Team - Place Network Online: Having investigated the biological basis of learning and memory formation in her undergraduate thesis, Kate bridges the science of learning with creating interdisciplinary lessons that "stick." In her Masters of Education work, she found that if students practice the principles they learn, the content and skills stay with them. For the last ten years, Kate taught middle school science and summer engineering programs. She enjoys rock climbing, backcountry skiing, growing a mountain garden, and being inspired by her young daughter's creativity.

Betsy Trowbridge - Curriculum and Program Design Coordinator - Place Network Schools: Betsy received her Bachelors degree in English from Kenyon College. After finishing the Graduate Program of Teton Science Schools in 1996, Betsy moved to Berkeley, California to complete her Masters degree in Education and teach in the public schools in Moraga, CA. Returning to Wyoming in 2003, Betsy joined the Journeys School elementary faculty in its third year. In the past decade, Betsy has taught every elementary grade. Betsy's professional interests include designing and implementing research- based reading and writing curriculum and integrating a child's place into his or her learning. One of Betsy's favorite moments in teaching is watching a student transition from learning to read to enjoying reading. Betsy also serves as the K-12 Director for Teaching and Learning at Journeys School.

Teton Science Schools, Jackson, WY 83001

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