
Join us for the 2025 Global Summit on Climate Education!
February 7-8, 2025 // San Francisco, CA
Join us for an exploration of education in the era of climate change, as schools seek to develop and empower students as active and engaged global citizens. Hosted at Drew School in San Francisco, CA in partnership with the Klingenstein Center at Teachers College, Columbia University
As the impact of climate change continues to be felt across the world, students and educators are increasingly looking for ways in which they can respond. Research on youth climate anxiety highlights the challenge it presents for young people but also identifies the power of climate action as its antidote. Join us for an exploration of education in the era of climate change, as schools seek to develop and empower students as active and engaged global citizens, in the classroom and beyond.
What are schools, leaders, educators, students, and community partners doing in response to climate change? How are schools rethinking traditional models to center engaged and active student learning for today’s world? Examples of innovation in the area of teaching climate action are emerging in significant ways, and this summit will provide the opportunity for educators to learn about trends, models, and tools that can directly impact their work in schools.
Educators in a variety of positions, from across grade levels and disciplines, will share how they intentionally embed student action in their learning design, and participants in this summit will learn from these case studies as well as emerging research in the field of climate education. Schools will leave with new ideas and resources on how to engage students in a myriad of ways from civic and political engagement to partnering with local artists, immersive learning experiences, and school-wide sustainability programs. Participants will also be able to connect and collaborate with each other as they consider future opportunities for their schools.

Organized by the Global Education Benchmark Group (GEBG) in partnership with the Klingenstein Center and hosted at Drew School, this summit will provide school leaders and educators the opportunity to build community, to share and collaborate, and to learn from scholars and leaders in the field of climate education.
COST & REGISTRATION
Member school and Teacher’s College student discount registration is $350 USD per person; non-member school registration is $395 USD per person. Registration includes Friday and Saturday breakfast and lunch, refreshments and reception.

General Schedule
Thursday, February 6, 2025
The Heads Network and GEBG Pre-Summit Session for School Leaders
Friday, February 7, 2025
8:00 AM Arrivals and Breakfast
9:00 AM Welcome and Opening Speaker
9:45 AM – 4:00 PM Featured Speaker, Breakout Presentations and Networking Sesion
4:00 – 5:30 PM Happy Hour Reception
Saturday, February 8, 2025
8:00 AM Arrivals and breakfast
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Featured Speaker, Breakout Presentations, Student Leaders in Climate Action Panel
12:00 PM Optional Lunch
1:00 – 7:00 PM Post Summit Workshop & Campus Tour at Sonoma Academy
Breakout Presentations
21st-Century Stewardship
Ava Goodale, Associate Director for the Center for Service and Global Citizenship, Deerfield Academy (MA, USA)
An interdisciplinary approach to Climate Change Education
Mary Kerr, Biology and Marine Science Teacher, Drew School (CA, USA)
Can Current Pedagogical Models Teach Sustainability Beyond Science?
David Lindo, Coordinator of Sustainability (K12), The Dalton School (NY, USA)
Counting Carbon: Why we should all be doing it and how to make it happen
Nick Babladelis, Director of Environmental Stewardship, St. Paul’s School (NH, USA)
Energizing Youth Climate Action: Strategies for Schools
Angela Yeager, Director of Environmental Justice, Laurel School (OH, USA)
Examining Regional Climate Impact through a Capstone Classroom Curriculum
Krysta Ibsen, Middle School Science Faculty; Science Department Co-Chair; VEX Robotics Coach, Berwick Academy (ME, USA)
Intergenerational Climate Dialogues
Ana Romero, Global Education Coordinator/Head of Sustainability, Wellington College (United Kingdom) and Chad Detloff, Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives, GEBG
Lessons from the Field: Bold, Whole-School Climate & Nature Action in Practice
Michèle Andrews, Co-Founder & Executive Director, DoorNumberOne.org (ON, Canada); Alison Elliott, Sustainability Director, Trinity College School (ON, Canada); Eleonor Kerr, Director of Operations, Hillfield Strathallan College (ON, Canada); Ali McTavish, Sustainability Coordinator, Mulgrave School (BC, Canada); Tamara Smith, Director of Service, Stewardship & Sustainability, TFS – Canada’s International School (ON, Canada)
Preparing Future Leaders: Climate Change and Social Justice Through Experiential Education
Christina M. Zupanc, Coordinator of Service Learning and Community Engagement, US Educator, La Jolla Country Day School (CA, USA)
Reaching Whole-School Sustainability through Intentional Strategies and Essential Partnerships
Liz Cutler, Whole School Sustainability Consultant, Whole School Sustainability Consulting (NJ, USA)
Reducing Carbon Emissions While Enhancing Connections to the Land through Facilities Partnerships in Place-Based Learning
Stephen Laubach, Director of Sustainability, The Lawrenceville School (NJ, USA)
Systems Thinking and Climate Change
Cushman Gillen, Green Dean / MS Science Teacher, The Gordon School (RI, USA)
Panel Presentations
Climate Education Across the Curriculum
Panelists:
Traci Elizabeth Holstein, Associate Dean of Students/Science Faculty Member, Palmer Trinity School (FL, USA)
Avi McClelland-Cohen, History and English Teacher, Polytechnic School (CA, USA)
Laura Mungavin, Upper School Spanish Teacher and Sustainability Coordinator, Rye Country Day School (NY, USA)
Tom Stewart, Director of Sustainability Programming & Initiatives, Indian Mountain School (CT, USA)
Facilitated by: Dion Crushshon, Director of Global Programs, Blake School (MN, USA)
Climate Education through Experiential Learning
Panelists:
Ethan Knight, Executive Director, Carpe Diem Education & Global Routes (OR, USA)
Kim McCabe, Director of Experiential Learning, Drew School (CA, USA)
Jenny Nadaner, Distinguished Global Scholars Coordinator & World Languages Faculty, York School (CA, USA)
Beth Spencer, Dean of Experiential Education, The Athenian School (CA, USA)
Facilitated by: John Hughes, Director of Experiential Education, The Lawrenceville School (NJ, USA)
Empowering Student Action in Climate/Sustainability Work
Panelists:
Anat Fernandes, K-12 Science Department Chair and Coordinator of Environmental Initiatives, The Buckley School (CA, USA)
Laura Fleming, Environmental Sustainability Manager, Polytechnic School (CA, USA)
John Hsu, Climate Leaders Fellowship Director, Rustic Pathways (OH, USA)
Nicola St. George, Director, Sustainability and Regeneration, Appleby College (ON, Canada)
Facilitated by: Peter Zdrojewski, Director of Outdoor & Global Education; Science Faculty, The Branson School (CA, USA)
Professional Learning and Partnerships for Climate Education
Panelists:
Karina Baum, Director of Global Education, Buckingham Browne & Nichols School (MA, USA)
Lindsey Lohwater, Science Department Faculty, Sustainability Coordinator, St. Mark’s School (MA, USA)
Cheney Munson, Founder of The Climascope Project (CA, USA)
Facilitated by: Lauren Railey, Assistant Head for Academics, Drew School (CA, USA)
FEATURED SPEAKERS

Kelley Lê
Kelley Lê has been in the educational field for over 15 years as a high school science educator, instructional coach, and educational leader. She serves as the inaugural executive director of the UC–CSU Environmental and Climate Change Literacy Projects (ECCLPs), former director of the UC Irvine Science Project, Friends of the Planet NCSE Award recipient (2022), and author of Teaching Climate Change for Grades 6-12: Empowering Science Teachers to Take on the Climate Crisis Through NGSS (2021). She also serves as a CLEAN advisory board member, LEVERS expert advisory board member, and a Climate Reality Corps mentor.

Noah McQueen
Noah McQueen is queer and is a chemical engineer working to combat climate change. Noah is incredibly passionate about creating and implementing sustainable solutions to combat the climate crisis and prevent the most devastating effects of our changing climate. Climate change mitigation is about more than shifting where we get our energy or creating sustainable products – it’s about equity, justice, and restoration. Currently, Noah is cofounder and Head of Research at Heirloom – a direct air capture (DAC) company working to remove carbon dioxide directly from the air. Noah received a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Colorado School of Mines in May 2018 and a PhD from the University of Pennsylvania in December 2021. Noah’s PhD research surrounded carbon dioxide capture and removal with a focus on carbon mineralization technologies, direct air capture systems, process development, carbon accounting, and techno-economic analysis. When Noah isn’t working, they enjoy being in nature, snowboarding, hiking, and reading.

Philippe Goldin
Philippe Goldin, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and neuroscientist and is the Co-Director of the University of California’s Climate Resilience Course focused on transforming climate distress into action. Philippe leads NIH-funded clinical research and is a Professor at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at the University of California, Davis. For a decade, Philippe directed the Clinically Applied Affective Neuroscience laboratory in the Department of Psychology at Stanford University. He also helped develop the Search Inside Yourself program at Google and also the Search Inside Yourself Leadership Institute which delivers mindfulness-based emotional intelligence and leadership skills training programs world-wide.
Pre-Summit Workshop
The Heads Network and GEBG Session for School Leaders:
Educational Leadership in the Era of Climate Change
Thursday February 6, 2025 // San Francisco, CA
From long-term campus planning to daily mission delivery, the complexities of climate change are increasingly impacting schools and education in both visible and subtle ways. Join The Heads Network and the Global Education Benchmark Group (GEBG) to discuss with fellow school leaders a series of case studies developed by Dr. Clare Sisisky during a two-year study she led with The Klingenstein Center at Teachers College, Columbia University involving over 35 independent schools. The case studies highlight insights from the study including how student anxiety, teacher motivation, and climate change are connected and highly relevant for our schools. They tackle issues from facilities to board relations to investment policies. Explore these challenges of school leadership and strategize with fellow school leaders through facilitated discussion. Take back to your school a new competency-based framework for engaging students as citizens in the era of climate change and a deeper understanding of how to envision your school as climate-ready.
This event is associated with the Global Summit on Climate Education organized by the Global Education Benchmark Group (GEBG) in partnership with The Klingenstein Center and hosted at Drew School in San Francisco on February 7th and 8th.
+ DATE: Thursday February 6, 2025
+ TIME: 12:00 – 4:00 PM
+ LOCATION: The International School of San Francisco
+ COST: $75 USD per person, includes lunch
+ AUDIENCE: Heads of school, senior administrators
Post-Summit Workshop
Explore the Future of Sustainability through a visit at Sonoma Academy:
A Campus Tour, Workshop and Meal in Santa Rosa, CA
Saturday, February 8, 2025 // Santa Rosa, CA
Join us for an experience at Sonoma Academy. Nestled in the heart of Santa Rosa, CA, this inspiring campus is the perfect setting for exploring solutions to climate challenges.
During this immersive visit, you’ll tour the school’s beautiful campus and learn firsthand about the technologies, systems, and design features that enable Sonoma Academy to meet its net zero goals. From solar power to energy-efficient buildings, discover how the school’s sustainable infrastructure integrates into its educational mission. We will be sure to share both the positives and challenges in meeting and maintaining a net zero campus.
The experience continues with interactive workshops led by Sonoma Academy students, faculty, and staff, where you’ll dive into topics like youth climate action, the many phases of incorporating a school garden, and sustainable technologies. These hands-on, experiential sessions will give you unique insights into how the next generation is tackling the climate crisis.
The day concludes in the Living Building Challenge-certified Guild & Commons facility, where you’ll share a delicious meal reflecting the flavors of Northern California. Enjoy this vibrant gathering space, designed to inspire connection and collaboration.
+ DATE: Saturday, February 8, 2025
+ TIME: 1:00 – 7:00 PM
+ LOCATION: Sonoma Academy
+ COST: $125 USD per person, includes transportation and dinner
Recommended Hotels
The following are hotels recommended by the school that are within a short drive or walking distance. Drew School is located at 2901 California St, San Francisco, CA 94115 and is conveniently accessible via public transportation. From the downtown area, multiple bus lines offer service near the school. If staying across the Bay Bridge, a combination of BART and bus lines can be utilized.
The Laurel Inn (part of JdV by Hyatt)
444 Presidio Ave, San Francisco, CA 94115.
Lodge at the Presidio
105 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, CA 94129
Inn at the Presidio
42 Moraga Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94129
Hotel Nikko San Francisco (Japantown)
222 Mason St, San Francisco, California, 94102

PREVIOUS SUMMITS
Global Summit: Climate Education
January 2024 // New York, NY
This summit provided participants with the opportunity to engage in expert and practitioner-led sessions in program design and curriculum, student travel learning competencies and outcomes, emerging risks, collaborative travel models, partnership development, ethical considerations of travel, in addition to vetting Spanish-language and travel-program providers, connecting with existing and potential partner schools, and to participating in discussions and cultural activities.
Featured speakers included Karenna Gore is the founder and executive director of the Center for Earth Ethics and Luca Martinez is a nature and wildlife photographer and videographer.
Global Summit: Reimagining Travel Programs
November, 2022 // Buitrago, Spain
This summit provided participants with the opportunity to engage in expert and practitioner-led sessions in program design and curriculum, student travel learning competencies and outcomes, emerging risks, collaborative travel models, partnership development, ethical considerations of travel, in addition to vetting Spanish-language and travel-program providers, connecting with existing and potential partner schools, and to participating in discussions and cultural activities.
Reimagining Travel Programs
October 2021 // Online
Travel can be one of the most effective and powerful ways to teach global competencies, yet even as travel restrictions are lifted and interest surges, many difficult questions remained:
- Should we travel with students? If we do, what will be different?
- How might we reimagine programs while still developing their clear student learning outcomes?
- What partnerships within your school could support new virtual, local, domestic, and international programming?
- How can we effectively manage diverse and potentially conflicting needs from various stakeholders, including parents?
- How might we reasonably manage risks associated with off-campus programming?
- Which planning strategies can help us to navigate uncertainty and evolving risks, in addition to our own stress?
Global STEM and Sustainability
June 2021, Online
This Summit provided participants with the opportunity to learn about innovative work being done in the field at their own pace and in accordance with their own schedules.
Teaching Global Writers
February, 2021, Online
This Summit featured dialogue, interactive sessions, and workshops on bringing more global voices and perspectives into the curriculum and empowering the voices of our students through writing. Highlights included:
- Keynote address from author Naomi Shihab Nye
- An educator panel on decolonizing the curriculum
Designing and Assessing Intercultural Learning
February, 2020, Chicago, USA
This Summit was an in-depth look at evolving research, engaging questions, and exemplary school models around developing and implementing global curricula in our schools.
Effective Partnerships for Global Education
November, 2019, Madrid, Spain
This Summit explored how best to build, grow and sustain effective cross-cultural partnerships through a series of discussions, speakers, and panels of educators as well as opportunities to network and build new partnerships.