Pacific Education Institute

10/15/2026

What would it take to build a stronger, better-funded environmental education field in Washington? It starts with understanding who’s doing the work. 🌱

If you’re an environmental educator in Washington, please take a few minutes to complete the Collective Impact Project survey by October 31. Your answers will shape the next phase of this work, including coalition building and new opportunities for funding the field.

👉 https://tally.so/r/PdeBj1

Know someone who should be counted? Tag them below!

More info in the comments.

10/14/2026

PEI sent Kathryn Kurtz off to retirement in style on October 2nd with a celebration at 's new Learning Lodge. It was a joyful recognition of Kathryn's ten years as executive director in service of place-based outdoor learning for all students, culminating in the ceremonial presentation of a beautifully designed blanket from PEI's Gail Kramer and Justin Parker and Fran Wilshusen of Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission.

Thank you to Port Blakely for hosting and to everyone who came to celebrate. We’re grateful for the foundation she built as we begin our next chapter. Congratulations to Kathryn and enjoy your retirement!

10/13/2026

Teachers, we know your plate is full. Our self-paced FieldSTEM course fits around your schedule: STEM clock hours, ready-to-use outdoor lessons, and it's just $60. Work through it at your own pace, on your own time, and bring STEM outside this year. Register here: https://www.tfaforms.com/5231426

10/12/2026

Why CTE courses matter:

According to an annual survey from Gallup and the Walton Family Foundation, 80% of Gen Z K-12 students say they have a great future ahead of them.

However, only six in ten feel prepared for it.

In the 2026 Voices of Gen Z Study, 41% of students reported that they do not agree that they have learned anything interesting in the past week. The gap between their views of the future and their sense of preparedness widened based on their levels of engagement.

The same study found that 67% of students who took career-connected classes felt prepared for their futures, compared to 40% of those who did not.

A separate study found that students who earn more than one credit in Career and Technical Education (CTE) are up to 12 % more likely to graduate from high school.

Learn more in PEI's September newsletter story about our Career and Workforce Pathways program:

https://pacificeducationinstitute.org/2026/09/learning-with-purpose-peis-career-and-workforce-pathways-program/

10/07/2026

A few words about our upcoming Asynchronous Courses from NWPB.

As a reminder:

Course Details
3 Washington State STEM clock hours (formal K–12 educators)
Self-paced, asynchronous online format
Cost: $65

Cohort Options
November Cohort: November 2–22
December Cohort: December 1–22

Participants have three weeks to complete the course once access opens.

Register for either cohort:
https://www.tfaforms.com/5235124

https://www.nwpb.org/community-events/event/online-course-engaging-k-12-learners-with-real-world-math-amp-ela-05-10-2026-15-19-15

Introduction to ELA and Math Performance Tasks is an asynchronous course designed for K–12 educators who want to deepen student learning through authentic, real-world assessment. Participants will explore how high-quality performance tasks can elevate ELA and mathematics instruction by engaging st...

10/05/2026

Eastern Washington educators got a 'hands-in' experience at PEI's Engaging Communities in Agriculture Education workshop this September.

Presenters and facilitators representing Stevens County Conservation District Pend Oreille Conservation District WSU Stevens County Extension Rainier Seeds and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service gathered to share lessons on the importance of soil health, the impact of wind and water on soil erosion and the resources their organizations offer to educators.

“I had no idea I could contact so many different agencies for support in the classroom,” one teacher shared.

Read more in our September newsletter:

https://pacificeducationinstitute.org/2026/09/even-outdoor-averse-teachers-find-inspiration-at-eastern-washington-ag-workshop/

10/01/2026

Coming soon:
Anyone attending the National Rocky Mountain Educational Research Association conference next week in Seattle can check out a breakout session featuring the work of PEI’s own Megan Rivard.

While she won't be at the conference in person, she’s a co-author on a soon-to-be-published paper focused on how STEM Network Improved Communities (NICs) can establish and sustain a shared vision. Her co-authors from Central Washington University will be presenting their findings. NICs are scientific learning communities that unite researchers, practitioners and other partners to address a common problem of practice.

This research on formal education dovetails nicely with Megan’s Collective Impact survey work with nonformal and environmental educators, funded by a Meet the Moment grant from The Russell Family Foundation.

09/30/2026

Workshop alert:

Introduction to ELA and Math Performance Tasks is an asynchronous, online course designed for K–12 educators who want to deepen student learning through authentic, real-world assessment. Participants explore how high-quality performance tasks can elevate ELA and mathematics instruction through meaningful problem-solving, critical thinking, analysis, and communication. Educators will examine the key components of effective performance tasks, analyze exemplar tasks and scoring criteria, complete an outdoor experiential activity, and consider how performance tasks can connect grade-level standards with local contexts while supporting equity, student voice, and deeper learning.

Course Details
3 Washington State STEM clock hours (formal K–12 educators)

Self-paced, asynchronous online format

Cost: $65

Cohort Options
November Cohort: November 2–22

December Cohort: December 1–22

Participants have three weeks to complete the course once access opens

Register for either cohort:
https://www.tfaforms.com/5235124

09/23/2026

A whopping 28 educators attended PEI's Field as a Classroom: Investigating European Green Crabs in Grays Harbor County workshop at Westport Maritime Museum last weekend.

The workshop brought together an incredible group of partners representing Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife Pacific Shellfish Seafood Co Pacific Seafood Shoalwater Seafood and Willapa Bay Enterprises.

Educators began by investigating European green crabs as a local phenomenon before heading to Bottle Beach for a hands-on molt search.

The field-based format proved especially powerful. One participant shared, “Learning about a teaching activity versus actually doing it means that I will be more apt to do this with my students.” Another reflected, “I used to think the idea of taking students outside was overwhelming. But now I think I want to take my kiddos outside for hands on learning ASAP!”

Thanks to the partners who contributed so much and to Grays Harbor Community Foundation for funding this workshop!

09/22/2026

Please join us in welcoming PEI's new Executive Director David Hartness! David brings a wealth of experience and leadership to his role, along with plenty of stories from a decade spent in Zambia and Mozambique.

For the past month, David has been getting to know the team and gathering information to plan for PEI's future once current ED Kathryn Kurtz steps down on September 30th. PEI community, we are excited about what we can create together as we enter a new era. Welcome, David!

Learn more about David here:

https://pacificeducationinstitute.org/2026/09/pacific-education-institute-welcomes-new-executive-director/