The Great Lakes Ecosystem Education Exchange (GLEEE) program connects teachers, nonformal educators, community organizations, academic researchers, and government agencies each year at the summer professional development workshops. In addition to learning about Great Lakes issues and receiving new lesson plans and resources, these in-person workshops allow participants to share ideas, work collaboratively, and build connections across schools, districts, and regions.
The GLEEE network collaborates with many educational organizations across the basin, such as nature centers, parks, non-profits, and state agencies. These partner organizations also provide various programs and resources for students and educators throughout NYS. Use the map above to explore our partner network.
Digital Workspace
Throughout the school year, workshop participants are able to continue to collaborate through the GLEEE Digital Workspace. In this workspace, teachers and educators can share resources, collaborate on lesson plans, or just ask each other questions.
Great Lakes Educators Council
To best support teachers and educators in New York State who are implementing Great Lakes focused education into their classrooms and programs, NYSG and the DEC created a teacher-led advisory council to provide strategic guidance for developing effective and impactful educational resources and professional development opportunities.
Occurring once every five years, the Great Lakes Educators Council reviews progress made towards the GLEEE program’s goals and charts a course for the next five years. As part of a year-long effort, quarterly meetings are held in August, November, February, and May to discuss educational and environmental issues, potential programming, and future resources that can be created for teachers and educators. The council assists NYSG and the DEC in selecting environmental topics and themes for the upcoming professional development opportunities and educational resources. If you are interested in joining the next Educators Council during the 2028-2029 school year, please contact Nate Drag at nwd4@cornell.edu.
The inaugural Great Lakes Educators Council meet in 2023-24. Thank you to the following individuals for their time, energy, and commitment to Great Lakes education:
• Jennie Busch, Carthage Middle School
• Brooke Harris, Errick Road Elementary School
• Fred Kowanes, Central Square High School
• Jerry Krajna, Genesee Valley BOCES
• Klansee Reynolds Bulmer, Franklin Elementary School
• Erin Wilely, South Jefferson Middle School