Together, we make change.

Dr. Dione Simon, Director of Innovation and Redesign at Atlanta Public Schools, has a big heart that dares to dream beyond the conventional boundaries of education. When she first learned about Out Teach, it was at a pivotal time in her career. Dr. Simon was a school principal when she received a unique opportunity to design and open a new school in Atlanta Public Schools called Harper Archer Elementary. The challenge was big - hire everyone and create a vision for learning in the new space within a year. Her team ultimately focused on STEAM education, social emotional learning and learning that prioritizes collaboration, digital literacy, critical thinking, and problem-solving as building blocks.

So when Out Teach called, Dr. Simon saw the possibilities. A partnership was born initially centering the design and installation of an outdoor learning lab for student exploration, as well as professional development for teachers so that they would know how to bring learning to life using the new space.

“It provided kids and teachers an opportunity to learn not only in a different space, but to collaborate differently. In my experience, we didn’t always focus our attention on high-quality science professional development for elementary school teachers and so Out Teach was an absolute fit into our design,” says Simon.

When APS tapped Dr. Simon to lead their new district-wide Innovation team, she reflected on the biggest impacts she saw at Harper Archer and the outdoor learning lab was one of them. “When I stepped into my current role, I reached out to Out Teach and told them that I wanted to make certain more children had access to the kind of space at Harper Archer and to that kind of learning. I wanted more teachers to have access to high quality STEM based science, math and literacy instruction that looked different from what most of us have been educated in.”

Together, Out Teach and Dr. Simon forged a path and planned to get as many school partners as possible to reimagine learning by teaching outside. The rest is history, but what grounds the continued

When APS tapped Dr. Simon to lead their new district-wide Innovation team, she reflected on the biggest impacts she saw at Harper Archer and the outdoor learning lab was one of them. “When I stepped into my current role, I reached out to Out Teach and told them that I wanted to make certain more children had access to the kind of space at Harper Archer and to that kind of learning. I wanted more teachers to have access to high quality STEM based science, math and literacy instruction that looked different from what most of us have been educated in.”

Together, Out Teach and Dr. Simon forged a path and planned to get as many school partners as possible to reimagine learning by teaching outside. The rest is history, but what grounds the continued on page 6

partnership is a shared belief that the communities who benefit from designed solutions must have a voice in the decision making and a seat at the table. Atlanta Public Schools puts people at the core of their innovation work. The district is intentional about bringing individuals together who represent different perspectives and backgrounds to solve a challenge. Out Teach believes creating legacies of inclusivity and shared purpose while honoring everyone’s contributions is at the heart of good business and community service. School and community leaders, teachers, parents, and students who gather to share their dream outdoor lab design at Out Teach’s design and dines embody that shared belief.

Out Teach has become deeply embedded within the district and works with leaders across their Innovation and Redesign, Academic, Facilities, and Partnerships teams to drive change. The organization brings in the support of corporate partners like Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Mercedes Benz USA, Royal Foods and Cox Enterprises to help break down barriers, empower teachers, and inspire students. In recent months, Out Teach launched new partnerships in six of the district’s schools and coached teachers to bring learning to life for students in the outdoors.

View Takeda Pharmaceuticals rolling up their sleeves for Usher-Collier elementary - click here.

Cox Enterprises, a national partner since 2019, believes a community succeeds because of its schools and teachers, who need reliable resources and innovative solutions to prepare future-ready students. It is important to Cox to give back and connect volunteer goals to the company purpose: “build a better future for the next generation,” says Jennifer Bronner, Director of Community Impact, at Cox Enterprises.

“Out Teach combines two causes we’re passionate about – fostering an appreciation for the environment and empowering the next generation of leaders with the STEM skills they need to succeed and make a difference,” said Bronner. The company pledged its support, giving its employees paid time to volunteer, creating spaces for kids in Atlanta Public Schools to be thinkers and doers.

To Dr. Simon, it comes down to one truth and one question that guides her partnership with Out Teach. “Our work is about people, practices, and places. How do we secure more outdoor learning labs for our children who may not otherwise get that type of access? When I think about our learning environments, I think Out Teach.”