Teacher's Night Out Growing a Green School Yard

Join us for a special Teachers’ Night Out at Madison Park Elementary, a MetroParks Seedling School, and discover how a green schoolyard can grow opportunities for student learning. Participants will tour Madison Park’s outdoor learning spaces and hear the story of how faculty and students turned their vision into a reality. Educators will explore the essential steps to establishing a successful green schoolyard, develop preliminary plans for their own school sites, and learn practical strategies for integrating outdoor spaces into classroom curriculum. The program will conclude with an opportunity to explore the schoolyard using tools from MetroParks’ new Pollinator Education Kit. Our featured presenter, Dr. Annette Larson, brings 26 years of experience in education, including the past eight years with Trotwood-Madison City Schools, where she currently serves as a STEAM educator for second and third grade students. Annette earned her master’s degree from The Ohio State University and was recently awarded a Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the American College of Education. She is also a year-round STEM instructor for Air Camp USA and a passionate advocate for STEM education. Through numerous grant awards and educator workshops, Annette has secured valuable resources and opportunities for her students. In 2025, she was honored as the Air & Space Forces Association Wright Memorial Chapter 212 Teacher of the Year and the State of Ohio Teacher of the Year.

This series is for educators in the Montgomery County area. We will explore new ways to connect your lessons with nature and showcase resources available in the community!