2023 In Community: Imagining the possibilities ANNUAL REPORT
Vision We are working to ensure that all students, no matter their resources, have access to an engaging, hands-on education that transforms their lives.
2023 OUT TEACH ANNUAL REPORT
Together, we are inspiring the next generation of fearless innovators by: Taking learning outside Sparking inspiration Changing what’s possible
2023 OUT TEACH ANNUAL REPORT
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2023 Out Teach Annual Report
A MESSAGE FROM LEADERSHIP As we reflect on the accomplishments of the past year, we are filled with both pride and gratitude for the incredible impact we have collectively made and the strong connections we have built with each one of you, even in the face of post-pandemic challenges. Our mission is people powered. Reimagining schools where every student experiences learning in a way that prepares them for our ever-changing world and inspires them about new possibilities can’t happen without community. Our Out Teach community of champions carries forward our work — school districts reimagining learning, forward-thinking companies standing up and into the gap, and an exceptional team of Out Teach leaders rooted in the mission — working together in a relentless pursuit to secure a more equitable future for this generation of young learners. At the center of it are our teachers and students. We have our eyes on a strategic goal we set in 2020 of reaching 10,000 teachers and 250,000 students by 2025, and we are happy to report that we’re almost there. In the coming pages, we will introduce you to some of the amazing champions who have helped us get there, highlight news about our progress, and share our plans for the future. Together, we are imagining the possibilities.
Table of Contents OUR PILLARS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 STORIED CHAMPIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 OUR BOARD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 BY THE NUMBERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 FINANCIALS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 WITH GRATITUDE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Jeanne McCarty
Shally Stanley
Chief Executive Officer
Chair, Board of Directors
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.”
When I think about our learning environments, I think Out Teach. — Dr. Dione Simon, Director of Innovation and Redesign at Atlanta Public Schools
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
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Together, we make change.
continued from page 5
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 combines two causes we’re passionate about – fostering an appreciation for the environment and empowering the next generation of leaders.
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.
— Jennifer Bronner, Director of Community Impact, Cox Enterprises
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.”
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2023 OUT TEACH ANNUAL REPORT
Together, we deliver results. For Michael Smith, Out Teach Director of Landscape Architecture and Outdoor Classrooms, long-lasting change begins with people. He believes that when his team of landscape architects truly enjoy the projects they craft, they thrive. “Whenever I see a seed that could potentially grow into something more, I make sure it gets planted correctly and watered periodically to see what happens,” said Smith.
Whenever I see a seed that could potentially grow into something more, I make sure it gets planted correctly and watered periodically to see what happens. — Michael Smith, Out Teach Director of Landscape Architecture and Outdoor Classrooms
Equipped with improved technology, leaders like Michael are investing in staff to deepen their connection to our mission and to empower them by increasing their creativity and collaboration. With ongoing training and support, encouraged exploration and risk taking, the team uses their curiosity and new technologies to create deeper connections between the team and partners. Leaders like Smith know that coaching and mentoring is what unlocks potential. He has tapped into the individual passions of his creatives, allowing their personal interests and skills to expand the mission in a way that connects with their enthusiasm. The result is dedicated colleagues responding to the needs of schools with elevated design strategies, sustainable design solutions, and better service to teachers and students. The root of it all? Listening to your people inside so they can better listen and deliver results to people outside. For example, Brooke Freeman, Out Teach landscape architect and project associate, turned her passion for plants into “Monday Flora Motivations” – an educational continued on page 8
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Together, we deliver results. continued from page 7 series about novel aspects of flora and fauna, which originated from her love for plant research. Brooke’s love for the work is shared across the organization weekly and ripples out to schools.
Read how Brooke emphasizes empowerment when designing spaces – click here! Out Teach has provided the technology that allows team members like Brooke to put collaboration, transparency and innovation first. The organization shifted to more out-of-the-box solutions like Salesforce so that teams can center a relationship-first view that supports partners from beginning to end. It empowers our teams and gives each leader, from Projects to Programs, an increased sense of ownership. It’s also enabled the organization to measure impact in new ways, quickly solve problems, and deliver functional, vibrant, and sustainable solutions to our community of school districts, teachers and students. As a fully remote workforce, Out Teach staff feel more connected to mission and each other than ever before.
I’m most proud of the confidence I’ve gained. It shows up in every facet of the work. — Brooke Freeman, Out Teach Landscape Architect and project associate
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2023 OUT TEACH ANNUAL REPORT
$75,000
secured by our board
ENTER BOARD OF DIRECTORS (LIST NAMES)
Together, we make it last.
Board of Directors and Regional Boards within period — 7/1/2022 through 6/30/2023
“Trust is at the core of any healthy relationship.”
Board of Directors
For Out Teach CEO, Jeanne McCarty, trust is also the foundation for building strong board culture. “A fully engaged board is fully connected to our mission.”
Shally Stanley
In 2023, Out Teach received the Center for Nonprofit Advancement’s Board Leadership award, which recognized the organization’s dedication to developing a strong board culture and highlighted achievements and best practices. The board’s power lies in each person being purpose driven. Members bring diversity in perspectives and backgrounds that reflect communities served, broad expertise spanning multiple fields, an ability to connect the organization with rich resources, and an unwavering commitment to exceptional governance that drives sustainability, growth, and impact.
2023 OUT TEACH ANNUAL REPORT
Board Chair
Nicole Levine
Board Vice Chair
Kelly Turner Hatcher
Secretary, Governance Committee Chair
James Ferri
Teresa Young Bernstein Board Member
Peggy Brookins Board Member
John Kovac
Board Member
North Carolina Board
Texas Board
John Hoke, Chair Alicia DePalma Bert Lynn Vanessa Naik Robert Phocas Sam Smith Blair Stanford
Gabriela Norton, Chair Justin Thompson Dexter Josh Freeman Dr. Olga Martinez Hickman Catherine Corrigan Jeff Carter Robert Cardone Dr. Reymundo Cervantes-Guajardo Luis Herrera Ruth Kinler Wendy Mazur Alice McMillan Amber Sims Dr. Molly Weinburgh
Kelly Garrett Board Member
Finance Committee Chair
Jeanne McCarty
We want to thank the following volunteers who serve on our committees:
Tom Fry
Cynthia Wilson
Beth Boulay, Program Vanessa Ford, Program Dr. Molly Weinburgh, Program Leigh Cleaver, Revenue Nan Street, Revenue
Revenue Committee Chair
Dale Stewart
Former Secretary, Governance Committee Chair
Board Member Board Member
Amy Wong
Board Member
Discover how our board is seeding success.
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39.9K
students received access to real-world learning
1,596
By the Numbers
teachers reached
outdoor learning labs built, and 8
design plans developed for school campuses
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2023 OUT TEACH ANNUAL REPORT
99
%
of teachers “proficient” or “distinguished” in their ability to facilitate high quality instruction outdoors
93
%
of teachers completely satisfied with how they facilitate outdoor instruction after Out Teach coaching
92
%
of teachers said knowledge and skills developed with Out Teach positively impacted student academic performance
By the Numbers On a scale of 1-10, teachers gave an average job satisfaction rating of
8.5
Job-embedded coaching was delivered to a racially diverse group of educators comprising
over 65% Black and Brown teachers.
after job-embedded coaching
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2023 Financials At the end of 2019, we launched a $7 million growth capital campaign to fund our strategic plan. During the 2023 fiscal year, we exceeded our goal with $7.9 million raised, and we have set out to achieve our stretch goal of $10 million so that we can reach any teacher, anywhere by 2025. We are also deploying growth capital raised in prior years to achieve our goals which include building and connecting communities, using technology to reach teachers and students nationwide, and evolving our data and evaluation practices to demonstrate the importance of an engaging early science education. We are proud to share the following financial accomplishments:
Revenue & Expenses Revenue
raised toward our FY2025 goal of
$10M
Growth Capital Campaign Operating Revenue
$ $ $
378,435 2,561,257 2,939,692
$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $
3,011,567 468,780 44,888 731,933 54,483 294,296 162,352 4,768,300 (1,828,624)
Expenses Salaries & Benefits Outdoor Classrooms Education Programming Professional Fees Facilities & Equipment General Expenses Travel & Meetings
Net Income 12
Expense Breakdown
80
% Program
20
Expenses
% Fundraising &
Administration
$3,827,736 $940,564 $4,768,300 2023 OUT TEACH ANNUAL REPORT
With Gratitude Looking back on 2023, we see our community of champions and generous supporters behind each and every moment of impact and reason to celebrate. Together, we took major steps towards making the impossible real for thousands of students. From the countless smiles on the faces of curious young minds and passionate teachers, to the tangible strides we have made in elevating the urgent need for early science learning and outdoor experiences, your dedication has been the foundation for our success. Thank you for sharing in our vision of a world where every child has the opportunity to explore, discover and embrace the wonders of science. There is a clear need to continue the goal we set out in 2020 to reach 10,000 educators and 250,000 students by 2025. We have learned key lessons along the way, and we are focusing our efforts to address challenges we see over the horizon. Join us as we turn the page to a new year — with greater impact and more milestones to celebrate. Together, we can secure the next generation of fearless innovators.
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