Teacher Professional Learning
2026 Program Offerings
Each summer we offer a slate of unique professional learning experiences for K-12 and non-formal educators. Click on each of the course offerings below to learn more about each programming we are offering this summer!
Special Announcement for NY Teachers: We are happy to share that Lake Champlain Sea Grant is now recognized by the New York State Education Department's Office of Teaching Initiatives as an approved sponsor of CTLE for Professional Classroom Teachers, School Leaders, and Level III Teaching Assistants. CTLE certificates of completion will be offered for educators in attendance for the full duration of the program. Any questions related to CTLEs can be referred to our new NY Coordinator, Tori DesRocher, at tori.desrocher [at] plattsburgh.edu.
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Watershed Alliance Teacher Researcher Partnership (WATR)
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The WATR Partnership leverages local research activities and a state-of-the-art research vessel to provide teachers with a week-long summer field experience exploring watershed science and water quality issues. The R/V Marcelle Melosira is the primary research vessel at the University of Vermont. During WATR, the vessel functions as a floating laboratory and classroom on Lake Champlain. This immersive experience allows teachers to gain valuable experience working alongside research faculty, staff, crew, and community partners to reimagine teaching rooted in place. Through the WATR Partnership, teachers will learn about current and emerging water quality challenges, and will become involved in exciting, ongoing research projects! The capstone of this experience will be partnering with a researcher to collaborate on the development of a watershed Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) based unit.
Space is limited in this program due to R/V capacity.
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Dates: Summer intensive (in-person): July 20 - 24, 2026, at the Rubenstein Ecosystem Science Laboratory. There will be a pre and post summer intensive virtual session (dates/timing will be set by class).
- There will a follow-up assignment from the in-person session due by August 5th.
- Course Credit: 4 credits (tuition fees apply)
- Program Costs: $400 (reach out if this is an issue; there are a few scholarships)
Learn more: https://www.uvm.edu/seagrant/watershed-alliance/teacher-professional-dev...
Registration: Please contact Ashley Eaton at akeaton [at] uvm.edu to register.
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Dates: Summer intensive (in-person): July 20 - 24, 2026, at the Rubenstein Ecosystem Science Laboratory. There will be a pre and post summer intensive virtual session (dates/timing will be set by class).
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Watershed for Every Classroom (WEC)
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Watershed for Every Classroom is a year-long supported professional development program for educators in the Lake Champlain Basin of New York, Vermont, and Quebec. In Watershed for Every Classroom, we’ll explore how people, places, and things tell the stories of our region. Throughout this course, teachers learn more about the science and history of the Lake Champlain Watershed, engage in field work at a wide variety of sites, and receive materials and resources that they can take back to their classrooms. Participants will collaborate with their peers and instructors to learn strategies for building in-depth understanding of content, skills for community engagement, and a sense of place for their students.
2026-27 Watershed for Every Classroom Dates:
- August 3-6, 2026
- September 25, 2026
- January 22, 2027
- April 29-May 1, 2027
Learn more: https://watershedmatters.org/cbei-programs/watershed-for-every-classroom/
Registration link coming soon!
Questions? Contact: Ashley Eaton, akeaton [at] uvm.edu
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Watershed Wise Teacher Training
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Offered each fall and spring Watershed Alliance holds trainings for teachers participating in the Stream Monitoring and Stewardship program. Participation in the training ensures that you will be eligible for future programs as well as getting seniority for borrowing Watershed Alliance equipment and materials.
The training covers the hands-on activities of the Stream Monitoring and Stewardship program which was developed over fifteen years ago for middle and high school students and their teachers. Additionally, we will discuss helpful pre-teaching resources as well as examples of stewardship and outreach projects.
For VT trainings contact our Vermont Education team at watershd [at] uvm.edu
For NY trainings contact Tori DesRocher at tori.desrocher [at] plattsburgh.edu
To request a disability-related accommodation to participate in any of our programs, please contact Ashley Eaton at 802-391-4410 or akeaton [at] uvm.edu by May 1, 2026 so we may assist you.