Blog

Meet Brielle Siskin

Brielle is our Vice President of Innovation. It’s a role that embodies the spirit of forward-thinking and transformation at Out Teach. Through Brielle's reflections, we discover how personal passion and purpose seamlessly blend with driving results and continuous learning, all working together to propel our mission forward. 

Q: How do you typically start your day, and what morning rituals set you up for success in your role? 

Brielle: After I get my kids to school, I start my day with a coffee and breakfast while I check my emails. I usually get a call from my husband once he drops off the kids at school. We have a quick chat about our days, and he often shares a highlight from daycare drop-off or a funny moment with the kids from the day before. It’s a small ritual, but it really grounds me and brings a smile to my face, setting a positive tone for the day ahead. 

Once I’m settled, I review my calendar, prioritize my tasks, and make sure I’m prepped for any upcoming meetings. I like to tackle work that requires the most brainpower early in the day when I’m feeling sharpest. Whether it’s creating a presentation for the Innovation Committee or analyzing survey data, I find I’m most focused during the morning hours. 

Q: Can you share a bit about your upbringing and any pivotal moments in your early life that shaped your passion for the type of work that you do? 

Brielle: I grew up in Massachusetts with my parents and brother. I was always very focused on excelling in school and sports, but science was a subject I struggled with. My memories of science involve a lot of memorizing—elements on the periodic table, reading from textbooks—but not much hands-on learning. I couldn’t always see the connection between what I was learning and the world around me, which made it challenging. 

Looking back, I realize how much I would have benefited from the kind of outdoor science learning that Out Teach offers. The opportunity to explore concepts outside the classroom and see their real-world applications could have made a huge difference in my understanding and engagement. This realization is part of what drew me to Out Teach and fuels my passion for our mission. 

Q: As the Vice President of Innovation, what are the key responsibilities you manage daily? 

Brielle: My role revolves around three main areas: Program Evaluation, the development and implementation of new professional learning services, and our new sustainability program. Each day can look a bit different, but it usually involves developing and updating logic models, analyzing data, providing feedback on innovation projects, and supporting cross-team initiatives. 

One of the exciting aspects of my job is that I get to wear many hats. I might be working on a detailed partnership report one moment, and then shifting gears to brainstorm new ideas for professional learning services the next. It’s dynamic and keeps me on my toes. 

Q: What does innovation mean to you in the context of education and Out Teach’s mission? 

Brielle: Innovation, to me, is all about thinking outside the box and questioning the status quo. Just because something has always been done a certain way doesn’t mean it’s the best or only way to do it. At Out Teach, we take calculated risks on behalf of young people and teachers, always with an open and growth mindset. 

It’s about asking the right questions before making decisions, testing our ideas, learning from those tests, and iterating as we go. We’re not afraid of failure because it’s an essential part of the learning process. We also look to other industries for inspiration and stay current with trends in education and technology, always thinking about how we can apply new ideas to benefit the students and teachers we serve. 

Q: Can you share a recent project you’re particularly proud of that demonstrates how innovation is transforming Out Teach’s approach to professional learning? 

Brielle: We recently completed our first pilot for a new digital professional learning experience called Fundamentals of Science Outdoors. This learning journey combined digital coaching, training, and a community of practice in a cyclical flow, which was a new approach for us. The pilot was a success, showing us how we can have a deep impact and reach more teachers virtually. 

The success of this pilot has inspired us to integrate similar approaches into our core coaching programs. We’re also thinking more strategically about how and when to incorporate digital training into our services. It’s exciting to see how these innovations are not only transforming our professional learning offerings but also setting the stage for the future of Out Teach’s work. 

Q: What types of challenges do you encounter when trying to move your work forward, and how do you navigate or overcome them? 

Brielle: One of the biggest challenges we face is creating programs that are relevant to a national audience. With different states using different standards and curricula, there’s a lot of nuance to consider. To navigate this, our Director of Learning Design, Teena Hine, works hard to familiarize herself with various standards, ensure our resources are applicable to all, and sometimes create multiple versions of the same resource to account for different needs. 

On the evaluation side, demonstrating our impact on students can also be challenging. We work directly with teachers, so our impact is often indirect, making it difficult to quantify. We know that our work not only impacts students' understanding of science, but also other social emotional learning and multi-disciplinary skills. So, we’re developing new methods, such as student surveys, to better capture our impact on things like self-efficacy, relationship skills, STEM belonging, and engagement in scientific practices. These new tools will help us paint a more comprehensive picture of the difference we’re making. 

Q: Can you share a memorable experience that highlights the joy you find in your work? Perhaps a moment when you saw the impact of your efforts in action. 

Brielle: One of my most memorable experiences was attending a Big Dig event for the first time shortly after I joined Out Teach. I didn’t fully grasp the extent of our work until I saw it in action. At the Big Dig, our team was transforming an outdoor space into a learning lab, and the energy was incredible. Everyone was getting their hands dirty, working hard, and building connections. We were in community, and that's what I I love about Out Teach. It was a perfect example of how we live out our mission and core values. Seeing the joy and community spirit that day solidified my passion for our work. 

Q: How do you stay motivated and driven in a role that continually challenges you to adapt and grow? 

Brielle: Two cups of coffee a day! But in all seriousness, it’s the variety and the constant challenges that keep me motivated. No two days are the same, and that keeps me engaged and excited about what’s next. I’m also driven by the opportunity to grow—not just as an individual but as an organization. I love working with a dedicated and innovative team, and we all push each other to do our best work. 

Q: What are you most excited about in terms of the future of Out Teach and the direction of your work? 

Brielle: I’m excited about our new Sustainability Program, which we’re launching with a significant grant from Sprouts (my favorite grocery store)! I get to oversee the initiative with leadership from our amazing Director, Daniel Morgan. The program will help our alumni schools maintain and thrive in their Outdoor Learning Labs by providing them with the training, tools, and community support they need. It’s a great opportunity to ensure that our impact is lasting. 

And on the innovation front, we’re diving into the Pre-K space for the first time. Early childhood is such a pivotal time, and I believe we have a real opportunity to transform how young children learn through outdoor experiences. Our first pre-k trainings will be delivered to teachers this school year, and the development of our new Learning Journey will focus on early childhood. 

Q: How do you encourage forward-thinking, results, and learning within your team and the organization? 

Brielle: Building that type of culture takes intentional action, repetition, and a commitment to learning. I recently organized a Human-Centered Design training with Cox Enterprises, which has been a great resource for our team. We’re applying these strategies to support forward-thinking and results-oriented work, and it’s been powerful. 

On my team, we focus on setting clear goals, continuous improvement, having action plans, and using data to drive our learning and acknowledge our accomplishments. We also encourage professional development and staying abreast of trends, both within and outside our industry. 

Q: When you look back at the end of a long week, what are the signs that it’s been a successful one for you? 

Brielle: A successful week for me is one where I’ve achieved the goals I set for myself, celebrated both big and small wins, and built meaningful connections. I also find joy through the success of others. Whether it’s securing a grant, receiving positive feedback on a survey, or having a lightbulb moment, those are the things that tell me it’s been a good week. And, of course, it’s also about those moments of connection—with my team, with our partners, and with the school communities we serve. 

Q: How do you wind down after a busy day?  

Brielle: After a busy day, I love to wind down by spending quality time with my kids, which always helps me relax and recharge. I also enjoy unwinding with a good show on Netflix, going for a walk to clear my mind, or catching up with a friend. 

Explore a day in the life of Wendy Kelly, an Out Teach coach.