The Green Teacher Gathering seeks to bolster the environmental and sustainability education movement in the Chicagoland area. Our mission is to expand participants' knowledge through engaging workshops and networking opportunities.

The theme for this year’s Gathering is Guided by Nature: Reconnect, Restore, Revolutionize, advancing nature-centered teaching for a sustainable future.

This theme reflects our vision of a future where schools and communities are interconnected, sharing knowledge and resources for a sustainable tomorrow. Our aim is for attendees to feel empowered, motivated, and inspired.

Hosted by the Green Teacher Network, a collaboration among Chicago Botanic Garden, Chicago Grows Food, Chicago Wilderness Alliance, Cultivate Collective, Forest Preserves of Cook County, and Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance, this event welcomes all people interested in environmental education and sustainability including community members, gardeners, teachers, parents, out of time school facilitators, artists, and more!

Date: Wednesday, June 24, 2026

Location: Academy for Global Citizenship, 4942 W 44th St, Chicago, IL 60638

Full event details coming soon. Please check back. 

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Workshop Proposals Extended to Monday, March 9!

We invite proposals for interactive workshops that engage participants through hands-on activities and knowledge sharing. Outdoor space is available to host your workshop. Speakers will receive a $90 stipend.

Proposals must be submitted via our online portal. The deadline to submit has been extended to 11:59pm CST on Monday, March 9, 2026. You are able to save and return to your proposal to edit it prior to submission. 

Workshops will be 1 hour long and organized into four learning tracks:

Environmental Stewardship and Climate Change

• Climate Justice
• Youth Activism
• Climate Change and the Local Impact
• Advocacy and Policy

Gardening and Growing

• Soil Health 
• Seed Starting 
• Planning and Harvesting your Garden
• Indoor Growing, Hydroponics, Aquaponics
• Season Extension
• Growing for Pollinators

Health and Wellness

• Nutrition Education
• Social-Emotional Learning Outdoors
• Movement and Physical Education 
• Restorative Practices
• Herbalism  
  

Community Building and Knowledge Sharing

• Garden Teams + Community
• Organizing & Activation of Green Spaces
• Art + Space Activation of Green Spaces
• Best Practice for Teaching Outdoors
• Cultural Uses of Green Spaces and Gardening 

How will proposals be selected?

Proposals will be scored using a rubric evaluating proposed audience engagement and alignment to the following mission of the Gathering:

• Enhance knowledge of garden, nature, and sustainability education.
• Build a network of sustainability-minded educators in the Chicagoland area.
• Provide training and practical information that participants can implement
• Foster self-sufficiency, empowerment, and collaboration.
• Address the intersection of racial injustice with agriculture, conservation, and environmental justice.
• Center marginalized voices and community-based knowledge.
• Include diverse, inclusive engagement methods for varying learning styles and abilities.

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Help Share the Word: Seeking Workshop Proposals

Please download and share these graphics with your networks.

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Continuing Education Credits (CEUs)

Seven Continuing Education Credits (CEUs) are available for educators. Check back soon for a link to register for ISBE hours.

Registering for ISBE hours DOES NOT give you an entrance to the event. You must also purchase a Green Teacher Gathering ticket. Ticket information coming soon. 

For Illinois certified educators:

To receive ISBE clock hours (known as CPDU’s or CEU's) for this activity you must register using the ISBE PD+ system. This system replaces the paper version of clock hours. NOTE: Registering for clock hours DOES NOT provide you a ticket to the event. You must purchase tickets to attend the Gathering.

If you are familiar with the PD+ system, log into ELIS first (you must do this first, or the link won’t work) and then use this link to register for this activity. 

If you are not familiar with the PD+ system, below are the step by step instructions for using this system. You can also watch a step by step video here: How To Register for a Workshop Using PD+

Please follow the steps below to register for clock hours:

1. Log into your ELIS account (you must do this first, or the next steps won’t work).
   
2. Click "Continue" to reach your HOME page.
3. Register for the activity: Navigate to the top left of the screen and click the PD+ link.
4. Search: for “Green Teacher Gathering” and click “Register” button.

Complete the evaluation: A week later, log into your ELIS account and return to the PD Plus page like before. Click the bell 🔔 notifications on the upper right-hand side of the PD+ page to access the evaluation. The system will automatically add your clocks hours to your ELIS account.

NOTE: No paper clock hours will be provided.