MSU Extension Tollgate Farm and Education Center

First Thursdays, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. ET

Over 160 formal and non formal educators from 26 states joined one another for this virtual series to explore ways to responsibly incorporate the perspectives, principles, and people of communities we serve through place-based teaching and learning.

MSU Tollgate Farm hosted this professional development series for formal and non-formal educators about learning to better incorporate the perspectives of those with whom we work in schools and educational programs. Educators had the opportunity to deepen their teaching practice in a safe online space for open conversation and community.

Part I

November 4: 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. ET
Native Tribal Perspectives & Experiences of Maple Sugaring
What does a maple sugaring program look like in Native and Indigenous communities? How can educators better incorporate these perspectives into their own Maple Sugaring programs? Join us for a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Dylan Miner, Director of American Indian and Indigenous Studies at MSU, along with panelists Rosebud Schneider, Market Manager at Ziibimijwang Farm / Minogin Market, Josh Biron, Cultural Activities Coordinator for Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, and Nicole Holloway, Cultural Activities Coordinator for Pokagon Band of the Potawatomi.

December 2: 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. ET
Incorporating Black Perspectives in Place-Based Teaching and Learning  
How can all educators better incorporate Black perspectives into our own teaching? Through the lens of food sovereignty and local food systems, join us as we welcome Naim Edwards, Director of the MSU-Detroit Partnership for Food, Learning, and Innovation as our moderator and Shakara Tyler, Board President of Detroit Black Community Food Security Network and Dazmonique Carr, founder of Deeply Rooted Produce, as our panelists. 

February 3: 6:30 - 8:30  p.m. ET  
Disability and Place-Based Education in and Beyond the Classroom
What does place-based education and outdoor education look like for disability communities? How can all educators better incorporate these perspectives into our teaching? Join us for a panel discussion moderated by Miriam Furlan Brighente, PhD, Doctoral student in Educational Studies at Eastern Michigan University and Program Associate at Southeast Michigan Stewardship Coalition (SEMIS), with panelists Mark and Deb Prentiss co-founders of Rising Stars Academy Post Secondary, Jason DeCamillis, a doctoral candidate at Eastern Michigan University and teacher consultant at Washtenaw ISD, Patrick Smith, Director of Camping at North Star Reach, and Diondra Straiton, M.A., a PhD candidate in Michigan State University's Clinical Science program in the Psychology department.

Part II

March 3: 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. ET
Engaging with LGTBQIA+ Communities in Formal and Non-Formal Settings
How can formal and non formal educators better incorporate LGTBQIA+ perspectives and voices into our place-based teaching and learning? Join us for a panel discussion moderated by Tonya Pell, 4-H Program Coordinator and a member of the MSU Extension Children and Youth Institute LGBTQIA+ Committee, with panelists Scott Ellis, Executive Director of Great Lakes Bay Pride in Midland, MI, Owen Bondono, 9th grade ELA teacher in Oak Parks Schools and Michigan Teacher of the Year 202, and LJ Sarten, Youth Resource Coordinator & Lead PrideZone Facilitator at Ozone House in Ypsilanti, MI.

April 7: 6:30 - 8:30  p.m. ET       
A Latinx Lens: Incorporating Latinx Perspectives through Place-Based Education
How can formal and non formal educators better incorporate Latinx perspectives and voices into our place-based teaching and learning? Where are the intersections of action-oriented place-based education and the Latinx community? Join us for a panel discussion moderated by Marisol Teachworth of GOAL Line in Detroit with panelist, Antonio Cosme, member of the beekeepers' cooperative called Southwest Beetroit, an organizer with Black to the Land, founder of Southwest Grows, and Detroit Leadership and Environmental Education Program (D-LEEP) Education Coordinator for the National Wildlife Foundation, and Lucas McDiarmid, an Outings Leader with the Western Massachusetts Region of Latino Outdoors who spearheaded efforts to support Latino Advocacy Week 2022 at Latinos Outdoors in Western Massachusetts.

May 5: 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. ET    
Incorporating Asian Principles, Practices, and People in Community-Based Learning

How can formal and non-formal educators better incorporate Asian perspectives and voices? Where are the intersections of action-oriented place-based education and the Asian community? What can we learn from the diverse Asian communities we work and learn alongside? Join us for a panel discussion moderated by Will Matsuzaki, Dean of Curriculum and Director of the Tad Bird Honors College, at All Saint Episcopal School, with panelists Soh Suzuki,  Board member of the James and Grace Lee Boggs Academy and founder of the Detroit Asian Youth Project, and Marie C. Vea, Assistant Dean for Student Services and Staff Development at the University of Vermont.