“I’ve observed that students’ excitement and interest in learning have increased significantly. When we tell them we’re going to learn something outside the classroom, their mood and energy levels change. Outside the classroom, their interaction and participation levels are completely different. Inside the classroom, they tend to be more passive, listening to the teacher and showing less interest in activities. But outside, they are actively engaged.”
-Tashi Dendup, principal of the My Gakidh Village School in Bhutan
“Overall, place-based education is not just a theoretical concept in Bhutan. It is strengthening our national school curriculum, teacher training programs, and motivating teachers to adopt student-centered approaches in classrooms.”
-Wangchuk, Science Curriculum Developer at the Bhutan Ministry of Education and Skills Development
In October 2025, Teton Science Schools hosted a delegation of 7 educators from Bhutan for a nearly three-week long exchange visit focused on place-based education. While those educators were visiting Jackson Hole, two from the delegation had a recorded conversation with former Teton Science Schools’ staff member and current CEO of Getting Smart, Nate McClennen. Nate interviewed Tashi Dendup, principal of the My Gakidh Village School in Talhogang, and Wangchuk, science curriculum developer in the Ministry of Education and Skills Development. It was a great reconnection because Nate was able to travel to travel to Bhutan several times while he worked at Teton Science Schools as a part of this partnership.
Listen to the full conversation here – https://www.gettingsmart.com/podcast/tashi-dendup-and-wangchuck-on/#