Teacher Pro-D
Learn with us, and develop your gardening skills, ecology knowledge, and ability to teach your students in the great outdoors. Teacher Pro-D is generously subsidized by the Vancouver Master Gardeners.
Find the perfect fit for you and your teaching team.
April 25th Pro-D opportunities available now!
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+-Full Day In-Person Option: Gardening for Biodiversity with Native Plants
This full-day workshop is designed for K-12 teachers who are interested in learning more about how to weave native plants into their teaching, and explore ways to use school ground gardens and green spaces to support biodiversity. We will discuss how these plants help support place-making in our school communities and support reconciliation through stewardship and Indigenous land-based learning.
Morning activities will include a Garden tour led by our Indigenous Initiatives Coordinator to get to know some coastal BC plant species, and help participants gain an understanding of the perspectives of indigenous peoples in relationship with these plant, and animal, communities. We will participate in ecological system exploration through participatory games and activities.
The afternoon will be focused on practical ways to include native plants in your schoolyard. Learn about which native plants to consider, where to source these plants in the Lower Mainland, and care and maintenance considerations on school grounds. Participants will leave with a greater confidence in connecting students to place through engagement and stewardship of native plants, and the biodiversity they support.
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+-Half Day Online Option: Online Drawing Nature for Teachers
Join the VBGA’s upcoming online Teacher Pro-D Session where local artist, Katharine Dickinson, will lead a fun and insightful workshop called Drawing Nature for Educators. This participatory online workshop will explore nature through observational drawing techniques. These art practices connect students to the natural world, while encouraging ecological thinking and meaningful inquiry.
Working live, Katharine will demonstrate the basics of observational drawing and show how to coach these skills to your students. After skills practice we will discuss the curricular tie-ins for nature-based art across a range of subject areas including art, sciences, STEAM subjects, and more. Please come ready to participate at home (see materials list below) share your nature-art ideas and activities with the group. Don’t be shy—this class is for ALL drawing levels, just like your students!
Other Offerings
We also offer the following opportunities;
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+-Free courses for K-12 teachers
If you are a K – Grade 12 teacher, you may be eligible for free Botany, Ecology or Gardening classes to aid in your classroom teaching or development of a school garden. Check out our course offerings under Adult Education – Botany & Ecology or Gardening & Design, then please complete this Request Form, and send to apineda@vandusen.org to register.
Sponsored by the Vancouver Master Gardeners.
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+-The Classroom Garden Series (K-7) SOLD OUT
Our 2021 – 2022 Teacher Pro-D program is sold out!
This online ten-part series will support K-7 elementary teachers eager to explore opportunities for teaching across the curriculum in their Westcoast school garden. Each month you will look at timely tasks that help keep your gardens growing, as well as specific curricular connections and practical management tips for teaching outdoors. Seasonal resources will be shared, and participants are encouraged to share their own success stories and challenges to broaden our
collective expertise.Registration is free this year and offered explicitly to a limited number of practicing K-7 educators.
By accepting a spot in this series, you agree you are available and committed to attending all sessions.
Contact Aymara Pineda apineda@vandusen.org for more information.