Chicago Botanic Garden

Educator Professional Development Programs

PHOTO: teacher professional development class

Green Teacher Network

The Green Teacher Network (GTN) is a collaboration among the Chicago Botanic Garden, the Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance, and Openlands. The purpose of the GTN is to foster the implementation of plant-based learning in Chicago-area schools, and to support teachers’ efforts in creating and using school gardens as curricular tools. For further information or for your school to become a member, contact Jaime Zaplatosch at Openlands at (312) 863-6270.

Membership fee: $50 (covers membership costs for up to three teachers per school)

Membership in GTN includes these benefits:

  • Four programs per year featuring leaders in the field, lessons for the classroom, networking opportunities, and more
  • E-newsletter with up-to-date information on programs, classes, and other vetted materials
  • An opportunity for teachers to increase their content knowledge in school gardening, plant science, and community building
  • Tools and techniques that will enable teachers to turn their gardens into living laboratories
  • CPDUs earned at every meeting

Dates for the 2009–10 School Year

October 24, 2009, at the Chicago Botanic Garden
January 27, 2010, location TBD
March 17, 2010, location TBD
April 24, 2010, at Garfield Park Conservatory in conjunction with the Green and Growing Fair

Download PDF of Green Teacher Network Brochure