AmeriCorps
Make a Difference in Jackson Hole
Teton Science Schools started hosting AmeriCorps service members in the summer of 2009. Since then, the Teton Science Schools AmeriCorps program has grown to host more than 40 service members each year, at multiple service locations in the Jackson Hole community. We offer multiple service terms each year at Teton Science Schools in Outdoor Learning Experiences, and also help place members at our partner Host Sites.
“My [TSS] AmeriCorps experience was life changing. I came to TSS after college with a gigantic passion [for] Environmental Education, but not a lot of experience. My AmeriCorps experience was a direct stepping stone towards working professionally as an environmental educator. AmeriCorps at TSS is quite arguably one of the best AmeriCorps programs in the country and I will take with me what I learned for the rest of my life!”
TSS AmeriCorps Service Member
About Teton Science Schools AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps members live on the Jackson Campus of Teton Science Schools. Upon successful completion of their service term, members will receive an Education Award from AmeriCorps. Funding for the AmeriCorps Program at TSS comes from Serve Wyoming, the AmeriCorps State chapter of AmeriCorps.
Why
STEM Literacy?
By developing STEM literacy, we empower citizens to apply scientific knowledge, concepts and processes towards personal decision making, economic productivity and participation in civic affairs.
Our focus on STEM literacy aligns with Teton Science Schools’ mission to inspire curiosity, engagement and leadership through transformative place-based education. It also leverages the strength of Teton Science Schools to address the growing need for a scientifically engaged and literate citizenry.
Two Service Opportunities
In the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
Outdoor Learning Experiences AmeriCorps Service
Members serve the majority of their term with Teton Science Schools Outdoor Learning Experiences
The goal of this service term is to empower AmeriCorps members to build the capacity of Teton Science Schools to grow STEM literacy within our visiting and local participant base.
Service members develop and implement projects that are key to maintaining quality programming at Teton Science Schools and teach visiting school groups. All service members receive training at Teton Science Schools in the foundations of AmeriCorps service, basics in lesson planning and design, and foundations in science literacy. All service members are provided with room and board on the Jackson Campus of Teton Science Schools.
Teton Science Schools hosts members during three terms of service each year – winter/spring (675 hours), summer and fall (both 450 hours).
AmeriCorps Host Site Partner Service
Members serve the majority of their term with partner organization outside of Teton Science Schools
As a Hub Site for AmeriCorps, the Teton Science Schools AmeriCorps program helps place members at select Host Site partner organizations in the Jackson community. Host Site Partner service members serve directly at partner organizations, engaging in projects that further STEM literacy directly at those organizations. Current examples of Host Site Partners include the Teton Raptor Center, the Teton Literacy Center, and Teton Youth and Family Services. Service members also choose an additional community partner organization at which to complete an additional project that furthers STEM literacy within the community.
Service opportunities with Host Site partner organizations vary in term length. Most often term lengths are 900 to 1200 hours and are roughly aligned with the school year calendar.
Teton Science Schools AmeriCorps to Date
(Since 2009)
Take on a capacity building project suited to your passions
AmeriCorps service members build the capacity of Teton Science Schools as well as local non-profits and governmental agencies involved in STEM education.
Capacity building refers to activities that expand the scale, reach, efficiency or effectiveness of programs and organizations. Such activities may expand service, enhance delivery of services or generate additional resources.
AmeriCorps members have worked with local organizations on capacity building projects including:
- Building and maintaining trails in Star Valley, WY for community use, in conjunction with developing trail guides that teach the user about local ecology
- Creating website pages and content on the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem for Harvard’s Encyclopedia of Life
- Developing online trainings for new Teton Science Schools staff on various content areas of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
- Designing and enhancing curriculum and signage at Vertical Harvest to increase the public’s awareness on micro-greens and local food systems
- Developing activities and curriculum for the Teton Raptor Center to develop citizen science skill in raptor identification
- Creating and implementing curricular resources for “Trout in the Classroom” in Elementary classrooms in Driggs and Victor, Idaho with Friends of the Teton River.
Become a Partner
Is your organization interested in hosting a Teton Science Schools AmeriCorps member?
Current Teton Science Schools Participant Volunteers
Our participant volunteers come from different backgrounds, but they all share a passion for place-based education! Learn more about our current cohort.
Our
AmeriCorps Team
Jessamyn Biette
Outdoor Learning Experiences Program Coordinator – Service
Outdoor Learning Experiences Program Coordinator – Service
B.S. Environmental Science, Dickinson College
B.A. French & Francophone Studies, Dickinson College
Jessamyn moved to Jackson in January 2019 to work as a field instructor for Teton Science Schools and has served in a variety of roles in Field Education ever since. Throughout her childhood, she spent her summers hiking and camping in the forests of New England and Eastern Canada which helped her develop a connection to natural places at a young age. Jessamyn is a firm believer in the power of education and has pursued a career that allows her to connect hundreds of people to nature each year. Prior to living in Jackson, she spent a year and a half in the White Mountains of New Hampshire facilitating environmental education programming for both the Appalachian Mountain Club and Tin Mountain Conservation Center. Before that, Jesamyn spent her summers teaching for the Massachusetts Audubon Society. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, skiing and looking at flowers.
Kendall Peacock
Head of Outdoor Learning Experiences
Head of Outdoor Learning Experiences
Teaching and Research in Environmental Education (TREE) Semester Graduate Fellow, Colorado College
Graduate Program of Teton Science Schools
B.A. in Environment and Natural Resources and International Studies, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY
Kendall grew up in Texas and Wyoming and started finding her love of outdoors over summer trips to the Tetons with her family. Many of her best memories are outdoors, in nature, working and learning with others. Kendall received her degrees in Environment and Natural Resources from the University of Wyoming where she also worked for the Wyoming Conservation Corps for 7 years. It was during that experience that place-based education became a draw and eventually led her to the graduate program at Teton Science Schools in 2014. Since then, she has held many roles including instructor and faculty member. Currently she is the Director of Staffing on the Field Education team.
