Northern Rockies
Teton Science Schools serves as the anchor for our Northern Rockies hub.
Teton Science Schools
Teton Science Schools (TSS), a national leader in Place-Based Education, anchors our Northern Rockies Hub. TSS has campuses in Jackson, Wyoming and Victor, Idaho, and additionally serves schools throughout the country with its outreach and educator professional development programs. Leslie Cook, Head of Professional Learning at Teton Science Schools, serves as the hub contact for the Northern Rockies.
The partnership and work of the Northern Rockies Regional Hub centers on Teton Science Schools’ Place Network, a network of K-12 schools that focus on connecting rural schools and communities through Place-Based Education. The long-term vision for TSS is a scalable, rural school K-12 model that centers on developing student-centered, Place-Based Education across all curriculum areas; Rural Schools Collaborative has supported TSS in the establishment of Place Network Schools.
- Place Network: The Teton Place-Based Learning Framework empowers educators to move beyond test-driven models by fostering authentic, community-rooted education. Through learner-centered practices, real-world community impact, and the use of local settings as classrooms, students and teachers build meaningful connections and exceed academic goals.
- Wyoming Rural Teacher Corps: This flagship program, developed in partnership with the University of Wyoming (UW), offers place-based training and support to prepare pre-service teachers for careers in rural Wyoming schools. It was established with support from Rural Schools Collaborative, the George B. Storer Foundation, and the UW College of Education Dean’s Office.
- Mountain Academy: Teton Science Schools’ Mountain Academy offers students pre-K-12 a holistic, place-based education that challenges students to think critically and engage deeply with the world around them. With campuses in Jackson, WY, and Teton Valley, ID, students benefit from a unified learning model, immersive experiences, and meaningful connections that foster lifelong learning and community impact.
Teton Science Schools' Place Network
A national learning community focused on place-based education.
Spotlight
TARTANS Take to Training in the Tetons
A unique trip brought together two RSC hub partners for intentional learning, memorable experiences, and crucial relationship building in the beautiful snow-covered Teton Mountains.
This past March, a group of future rural educators from Monmouth College embarked on a transformative journey to the Teton Range, immersing themselves in Place-Based Education at Teton Science Schools. Despite a snowstorm nearly derailing their trip, the TARTANS, Monmouth’s Rural Teacher Corps, discovered firsthand how the local landscape and community shape education. From snowshoeing through Grand Teton National Park to engaging with Jackson’s nonprofits and educators, the experience deepened their understanding of teaching within their own rural communities. Read the full story to see how this adventure reshaped their perspectives and inspired their future classrooms.
Read moreMore news and stories from our Northern Rockies Regional Hub:
Rural Teacher Corps Spotlight: Wyoming Rural Teacher Corps Prepares Future Educators for Rural Classrooms
Through mentorship, immersive experiences, and place-based learning, the program equips pre-service teachers to thrive in Wyoming’s rural schools
Preparing Teachers for Rural Wyoming: Voices from the Field
In this blog, hear from 3 WY Rural Teacher Corps (RTC) members who completed their student teaching in the fall of 2025 and graduated in December 2025 about their experiences in the Corps and with rural teaching.
Out of the Classroom, Into Cahaba
Rural Teachers in Alabama practice Place-Based Education through the University of West Alabama and Teton Science Schools
How to Build Resilient Teachers: An Interview with Aaron Nydam, EdD
In this interview, Aaron Nydam (Wyoming) shares the research and results of his dissertation on teacher resiliency.