Teacher training & education
The Tijuana Estuary offers educational training opportunities for teachers looking to bring their class to the Reserve or incorporate estuarine curriculum into their coursework. Training programs are designed to guide teachers through the curriculum and help them apply the curriculum to their classrooms.
Some programs are offered on an annual or semi-annual basis, while others are scheduled based on interest and demand. If you have questions about when a training program will be offered or would like to inquire about coordinating a training for a group of educators, please contact Anne Marie Tipton at 619-575-3613 ext.304 or .
Training Programs
Teachers on the Estuary (TOTE)
TOTE is a teacher training program that explores Authentic Data Literacy and brings coastal research into the classroom. It is designed for middle and high school teachers.
At this training you will:
- See and experience science being done at the Tijuana River NERR and learn how you can use it to enhance your teaching.
- Interact with Reserve researchers, visit wetland restoration sites, and see the long-term monitoring that is used to manage these projects (living experiments).
- Find out how to integrate your training experiences with online nationwide Reserve data and our virtual and in-person monitoring-based field trips.
Please check back periodically for the announcement of the next TOTE training.
Climate Teachers on the Estuary (TOTE)
Climate TOTE is a collaboration between CREEC Region 9 and the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve. This field-based teacher training program that brings coastal research into the classroom. Designed for middle and high school teachers.
At this training you will:
- Model the NGSS learning process by using the phenomenon of sea level rise as the basis for meaningful learning experiences for students.
- Use local tide level data, as well as El Niño data, to form the foundation of instruction.
- Be introduced to climate related student field experiences.
- Gain strategies to help ensure students’ emotional/psycho/social resilience to climate change impacts.
History & Social Science Training (HSS)
Come learn about the history of Border Field State Park so that you can bring your students for a unique field experience along the US - Mexico Border. This training will prepare teachers to bring their students to Border Field State Park as we guide them through activities that focus on Border Field Naval Air Station WWII History, and US - Mexico relations. (meets HSS Standard 11.9 and 11.9.7). For 11th Grade History and Social Science Teachers.
At this training you will:
- Model the NGSS learning process by using the phenomenon of sea level rise as the basis for meaningful learning experiences for students.
- Use local tide level data, as well as El Niño data, to form the foundation of instruction.
- Be introduced to climate related student field experiences.
- Kayak in Mission Bay to learn about the ReWild salt marsh restoration.
- Gain strategies to help ensure students’ emotional/psycho/social resilience to climate change impacts.
- Hear from an inspirational panel so that you can empower your students to engage in San Diego’s active climate movement.
Tijuana Estuary Explorers Teacher Training
“Tijuana Estuary Explorers” is a school program, targeted for 3rd – 6th grade, that meets state standards and incorporates reading, expository writing, and science into multiple comprehensive hands-on activities about the Tijuana Estuary and its watershed.
A teacher training is required for all teachers who wish to bring students for a program. Once completed, teachers do not have to repeat it and they may bring their class for a school program every year. The training will guide teachers through the student journal and includes both a virtual and in-person portion. On the in-person day, a teacher’s guide and student journals will be given out so teachers should bring a box or bag to accommodate.
The next Tijuana Estuary Explorers training will be in a hybrid format on February 5th, 6th, and 9th, 2024. The virtual portions will be from 3:15 - 4:15 PM on February 5th & 6th, the in-person portion will be from 4:00 - 5:00 PM on February 9th. You must attend all three days to complete the training. Click here to view the flyer and register today!