Written by Sharon Laidlaw, Director of Place Network
In April, more than 30 educators from across the U.S. and Canada gathered in the Tetons for the Place Network Spring 2025 Conference. We saw place-based learning in action, hiked through sagebrush valleys (and sun and rain and hail!), swapped stories over popcorn and board games, and shared with and listened to one another, inspired by the idea that learning is most powerful when it’s rooted in place.
It was a week of energy, honesty, and inspiration.
From the first morning welcome to the final shared meal, attendees connected with the land, with each other, and with big questions about what education can be.
Keynote speaker Wes Martel, a member of the Eastern Shoshone Business Council and longtime advocate for Indigenous land stewardship, reminded us that “place” is not just geography — it’s relationship. Many participants said his words stayed with them long after the closing session.
Learning That Sticks
Throughout the week, sessions dug into the real work of place-based education: how we connect content to community, how we empower students to take action, and how we lead with curiosity.
Some standout breakouts included sessions from Cottonwood School of Civics and Science, Mountain Community School, Grand Rapids Museum School, and many important informal presentations during our “unconference.” Participants shared ideas around a gift economy and reciprocity, economy-themed elementary school projects, design thinking at the high school level, and administrative decisions such as schoolwide scheduling. There were also student showcases, which gave us all a glimpse into the remarkable work happening in classrooms across the network. The Teton Valley Campus of Mountain Academy opened their doors to conference attendees for their Project Exhibition Night, demonstrating their place-based learning from this school year.
We hiked in Grand Teton National Park, not just to see the beauty but to explore how students can engage with ecology, story, and stewardship. One participant wrote, “The hike was such a great outdoor learning experience. It was a great example of how to lead successful and informational outdoor experiences.”
Looking Ahead
Place-based education is about seeing the richness around us — in our local histories, natural systems, and communities — and building learning experiences that matter because they mean something. That’s what this conference is about, too.
As one participant put it, “I’m exhausted in the best way possible.”
We’re grateful to each person who made this event what it was — and we’re already dreaming up ways to make next year’s gathering even more meaningful. Until then, we’ll be cheering you on as you bring place-based learning to life in your classrooms, schools, and communities.
