Blog

For Ms. Joanna Rodriguez, the science lead at Highland Meadows Elementary in Dallas, Texas, teaching has always been about sparking a love of learning that lasts. But like so many teachers, she’s felt less prepared when it comes to science with limited training opportunities, resources, and time. That changed when she joined the first cohort of teachers participating in Out Teach’s new learning journey, Fundamentals of Outdoor Science. It was unlike any other professional learning experience she’d had because the coaching was flexible, interactive, and tailored to her needs, and the strategies she learned were easy to implement right away. 

It didn’t feel like typical training. “It was a game-changer,” Ms. Joanna shared with a smile. She recalled traditional professional learning sessions as “doodles in notebooks and binders of ideas”—useful but often disconnected from the practicalities of everyday teaching. This was different. The Out Teach program gave her ready-to-go, real-world strategies that made science tangible. “It was like they handed me the IKEA furniture already assembled!” she laughed, capturing how seamless and immediately helpful the resources were.  

Ms. Joanna didn’t just receive lesson plans; she had a coach who helped her bring them to life. The hands-on support, real-time feedback, and opportunities for reflection became her “little cheat codes” for teaching success. And the results were immediate. “My students went from curious to mini scientists in no time.” Even under the Texas sun, they explored ecosystems, asked deep questions, and shared their discoveries with pride. For Ms. Joanna, seeing students who were usually quiet, ask questions and take ownership over their learning was remarkable. “I felt like the cooler, more fashionable Bill Nye!” she joked, delighting in the joy of watching her students become so confident.  

But the impact of the new professional learning didn’t stop at resources and lesson plans. It fostered a sense of community among teachers. Ms. Joanna felt inspired by her cohort, a group of educators equally passionate about taking their teaching to another level. “We bonded so well,” she said, explaining how this network has become a steady source of ideas and encouragement. Today, she’s expanded her toolkit, using nature notebooks and connecting reading with science to deepen her students' understanding of STEM concepts. 

Brielle Siskin, Out Teach’s VP of Innovation, explains that stories like Ms. Joanna’s have been key to shaping the evolution of our professional learning offerings. "It shows how technology can bring flexibility and accessibility to professional development, without losing the personal connection that makes coaching meaningful," Brielle shared. Out Teach’s learning journeys offer teachers like Ms. Joanna support that adapts to their needs, giving them the tools and strategies to inspire and prepare tomorrow’s innovators.  

For Ms. Joanna, and so many others, it’s a foundation for lasting impact, helping them make each lesson a building block for success.