Crowsnest Pass Herald - September 6

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Vol. 93 No. 33

September 6, 2023 $1.25

Serving our communities since 1930

Teacher workshop for place-based learning practices

Back to school photos on Page 9

NICHOLAS L. M. ALLEN Pass Herald Reporter Crowsnest Pass teachers undergo place-based learning workshop on August 30 and 31 at Isabelle Sellon School. Teachers from both Horace Allen and Isabelle Sellon Schools (ISS) were present for the workshop held by Teton Science Schools. Sharon Laidlaw, the director of place network and professional learning at Teton Science Schools, spoke about the organization which is based out of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. “We do something called place-based education and we have two schools. We do wildlife tours and immersive learning experiences in Grand Teton and Yellowstone National parks in Wyoming,” said Laidlaw. They would have schools and teachers come to visit wanting to do something similar where they live. After this they developed a professional learning team that works with schools across the U.S.A and the Crowsnest Pass here in Canada. “This is the only area in Canada that’s a part of our network. Horace Allen and Isabelle Sellon are working with us and they are making every effort they can to break down the barriers between the community and the classrooms, bringing community members in and taking students out,” added Laidlaw. An example they talked about is, instead of learning about the deforestation of the Amazon rainforest, they will teach them about the ways that the forest has been impacted locally and what issues exist here so the students can generalize that to other places. “[The students] can really see that it’s relevant to their lives and their futures, and they also feel an increased sense of self efficacy and agency,” said Laidlaw. The principal for ISS, Marnie Davidson, explained how it’s a benefit to kids and it brings the community into a partnership with student learning.

Cont’d on Page 10

Nicholas L. M. Allen Photo

Teachers gather on the second floor of Isabelle Sellon School in Blairmore for the two day workshop hosted by Teton Science Schools for place-based learning techniques on August 30.


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