ESC20 OL Leadership Summit 2026: Full Schedule

We are excited to invite you to the 3rd annual "How Outdoor Learning Outperforms Indoor Learning Leadership Summit," an essential event designed to equip formal school leaders in Texas with the knowledge and tools to leverage the transformative power of nature. Our goal is to help you create systems that better support students and teachers in whole child wellness and academic excellence.

Registration will open in Connect20 on September 1, 2026 (Connect20 Session #117624). You must register in order to receive login information to create a personalized schedule. Invitations to join the Sched conference platform will be distributed beginning in September to registered attendees.

Registration fee is $150.
9:00 AM-4:00 PM

Location for event: Seguin ISD Irma Lewis Outdoor Learning Center, 1865 E. US Hwy 90, Seguin, TX 78155

TBA

Imagine A Child as a Tree: Fertilize with Recess and Character Skills

Thursday October 22, 2026 TBA

Pavilion

Imagine a child as a tree. Our culture, especially schools, are trying to grow strong branches on trees (cognitive development) without making sure that the tree has a strong root system (social/emotional/physical development). The result is our trees are struggling to stay nourished, energized, and productive because they can’t grow strong branches without watering and nourishing the roots on a...
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Speakers

Debbie Rhea

Professor, Project Creator & Director, Texas Christian University

Dr. Debbie Rhea is a full professor in Kinesiology and Associate Dean of Research and Health Sciences in HCNHS at Texas Christian University. She prepares K-12 physical education teachers and is fully invested in her newest research called LiiNK (Let’s inspire innovation ‘N kids) which exa... Read More →

Thursday October 22, 2026 TBA
Pavilion

TBA

Seguin ISD Outdoor Learning Center Walking Tour

Thursday October 22, 2026 TBA

Pavilion

Thursday October 22, 2026 TBA
Pavilion

11:00am CDT

Designing the Right Question for Your Outdoor Learners: EcoRise's Design Studio

Thursday October 22, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT

Outdoor Education Building

Outdoor learning spaces have enormous potential, and a well-documented implementation problem. Too often, they're designed with enthusiasm and abandoned within a year. The culprit is usually not funding or facilities. It's the getting the question that drove their creation just right.This hands-on workshop invites educators and school leaders to slow down and do the most important work first:...
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Speakers

Lisa Richardson

Librarian, Austin ISD

I am a bilingual librarian in Austin ISD where I've also worked as a 2nd grade teacher. I love outdoor learning and work closely with EcoRise to support our students in creating impactful projects for our school community. I am a huge fan of libraries and the impact that programs... Read More →

Elizabeth Harper

Senior Program Manager, EcoRise

EcoRise Program Manager for Central & South Texas, always seeking to improve the student experience through empathy and engagement, life-long learner.

Thursday October 22, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Outdoor Education Building

11:00am CDT

Step Outside: Simple Strategies for Engaged Learning

Thursday October 22, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT

History Building

Discover how taking learning outdoors can transform student engagement, foster curiosity, and create meaningful educational experiences without requiring a complete classroom overhaul. This session is designed for educators who are interested in incorporating outdoor learning into their daily routines through practical, manageable strategies that can be implemented immediately.Participants will...
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Speakers

Leah Morales

Teacher, Jourdanton Independent School District

Leah Morales has been a dedicated Pre-K teacher for the past 10 years, fostering a love of learning in young children through engaging, hands-on experiences. She is passionate about creating opportunities for students to explore, discover, and grow through outdoor learning, believing... Read More →

Shelly Lingo

Principal, Jourdanton Independent School District

Shelly Lingo is a dedicated educator with 24 years of experience in public education. Throughout her career, she has served in a variety of leadership and instructional roles, including math teacher, instructional coach, senior operations director, assistant principal, and currently... Read More →

Kathryn Royal

Teacher, Jourdanton Independent School District

Kathryn Royal is a dedicated educator with seven years of teaching experience and a passion for creating engaging, student-centered learning environments. She believes children learn best through play and hands-on exploration, and she has successfully implemented a play-based classroom... Read More →

Tammy Torres

Teacher, Jourdanton ISD

Tammy Torres is a dedicated educator with 11 years of teaching experience who believes that every student has the capacity to learn, grow, and develop their unique talents and skills. She is committed to creating an engaging and inclusive classroom where all learners are encouraged... Read More →

Thursday October 22, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
History Building

11:00am CDT

TEA Presents: Taking the TEKS Outside

Thursday October 22, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT

Pavilion

We will explore and engage with various phenomena that can be encountered or brought outside, and tie these activities to grade-level TEKS from kindergarten through Biology. Participants will design an outdoor experience for students anchored in one of the phenomena and tailored to their grade level.

Speakers

Liz Baker

Secondary Science Content Specialist, Texas Education Agency

Liz Baker is the Secondary Science Content Specialist at the Texas Education Agency and coordinator of the Texas Environmental Education Advisory Committee (TEEAC). She has a master’s in STEM Education and has been a classroom teacher, instructional coach, and student-teacher s... Read More →

Thursday October 22, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Pavilion

12:15pm CDT

Lunch Provided by Guadalupe Blanco River Authority (GBRA)

Thursday October 22, 2026 12:15pm - 1:45pm CDT

Pavilion

Thursday October 22, 2026 12:15pm - 1:45pm CDT
Pavilion

1:45pm CDT

Imagine If Implementation Matched Intention: Scaling Nature-Based Learning in Public Schools

Thursday October 22, 2026 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT

Science Building (Satelite Will Smith Zoo School)

Imagine if nature-based learning were not an enrichment activity or isolated initiative, but an integrated, sustainable practice within public schools.Across North America, educators are eager to move learning outdoors, yet implementation often stalls due to uncertainty, limited professional preparation, and fears about rigor or accountability. This session invites participants to imagine a...
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Speakers

Amanda McMickle

Vice President of Education, San Antonio Zoo

Amanda McMickle is a nature based school leader, doctoral candidate and is the founding leader the Tall Oaks School. She has 13 years of experience in public education as a PK and 1st grade teacher. She was involved in PK4SA's foundational year and was involved in the origination... Read More →

Thursday October 22, 2026 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT
Science Building (Satelite Will Smith Zoo School)

1:45pm CDT

Math in Nature: Look, Wonder, Discover

Thursday October 22, 2026 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT

History Building

Take math outdoors! In this hands-on professional development session, educators will explore how nature, movement, and outdoor spaces can create meaningful opportunities for mathematical learning. Participants will experience engaging activities that support number sense and operations, geometry and spatial reasoning, measurement, fractions, data, and mathematical problem-solving using natural...
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Speakers