Growing educators' responsiveness to place, nature connection and learning beyond the classroom.
Bookings for 2025 are now open, and will
close on 28 November 2024.
See below for 2025 course timing and booking information. Further information can also be found in our Prospectus.
The latest evidence based research is finding that place responsive pedagogy deepens student engagement with the curriculum, changes attitudes to school and awakens curiosity and student agency.
This course is an exciting professional learning journey for primary teachers, designed to inspire you to slow down and reflect on your teaching practice. You will experience:
a pedagogy of inquiry that grows curiosity, imagination, deep learning and well-being
practical strategies for connecting your students to nature and place in your school and beyond, drawing on PEEC's
Experiential Teaching Tools (Story and play, Attentiveness and Deep reflective responding)
insights regarding First Nations' wisdom and the power of nature attentiveness and 'deep listening' (at PEEC we have been given permission by the
Miriam Rose Foundation to use the Ngan'gikurunggur word Dadirri to refer to this practice)
development and growth of your own connection to nature and place
wellbeing practice as part of a reflective community.
Taking place on 4 days over the course of a year (one day per term), this professional learning workshop series will develop your expertise in using a wide range of practical ‘place responsive’ pedagogical tools.
It will take you on an exciting reflective journey into nature, where you and your students will turn 'land' into 'place' by imbuing different natural spaces with feelings, emotions and stories of personal experience.
The power of this approach, and of PEEC's workshop facilitation, is captured in these words from past participants:
'As a Connected Teacher, I've realised the importance of attentiveness... that calming spaces and being in nature actually helps students focus, improves writing and improves all aspects of the curriculum. A lot of their work on 'being ready to learn' now happens in outdoor spaces in our class.'
—Prep Teacher, Hilder Road SS
'Completing this course over the year has given me the opportunity to grow within myself... As I've become more comfortable taking the children outdoors, I've noticed how inclusive learning in nature can be. The children are becoming more comfortable learning in different environments, and for the whole class it's been a really rewarding experience.'
—Year 1 Teacher, Westside Christian College
'Thanks so much again for your talent, joy, enthusiasm, and the deep-down authentic way you deliver your program. All of us come away feeling like we have reset and have strength to face the challenges of teaching with an amazing toolkit in our pocket. So thank you from the bottom of our hearts. You both are really exemplary examples of the way a respectful supportive teaching team works.'
—Prep Teacher, Hilder Road SS
Workshop series overview
Workshop timing
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4-day course (8.30am–3.15pm) across the year (1 day per term). Learning is cumulative across the 4 days, attendance required for all dates allocated to your group (dates listed below).
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Cost / participant |
$850
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Inclusions |
All activity materials.
Catering (morning tea and lunch) for days 1, 3 and 4. Please note: day 2 will take place off site ≠ self-catering required.
Please provide dietary requirements.
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Participants / day | 8 (min)–20 (max)
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Course dates for 2025
Please note that there will be 2 Connected Teacher workshop groups (dependent on enrolment numbers) to allow for the connection, sharing and deep reflection between all participants that smaller groups can facilitate. The timings below are approximate and specific dates will be confirmed after all booking forms have been received. Bookings close on 28 November 2024.
Term
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Location
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Group 1
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Group 2
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Term 1
| PEEC |
Week 7 – Tues 11 March
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Week 7 – Wed 12 March
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Term 2
| Karawatha
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Week 2 – Tues 29 April
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Week 3 – Wed 7 May
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Term 3
| PEEC
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Week 2 – Tues 22 July
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Week 2 – Wed 23 July
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Term 4
| PEEC and Pullenvale Forest Park
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Week 8 – Tues 21 October
| Week 8 – Wed 22 October
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This program takes place at the Pullenvale Environmental Education Centre, Pullen Pullen Creek and Karawatha Forest. Participants' own transport required. See Maps and Transport for location details.
To book for our 2025 Connected Teacher Workshop Series, please fill in the booking form below by 28 November 2024. This form can be submitted by individuals or by a coordinator for a group attending together (please ensure all participants' names and emails are included so that we can reserve the correct number of places for you and send out booking confirmation to each participant).
If you have a preferred 'group' / date series, please input this in the 'preferred dates' field (please just indicate 'group 1' or group 2'). For more information, please contact PEEC administration during school terms on: (07) 3374 1002.
Privacy statement
The Department of Education through Pullenvale Environmental Education Centre is collecting personal information in accordance with the Education (General Provisions) Act 2006 External link in order to arrange bookings. The information will only be accessed by employees of the Department of Education. The information will not be given to any other person or agency unless prior consent is obtained.