People

Esther Cowles is Senior Director of Programs for Project Learning Tree. She guides PLT’s strategic direction and evaluation. She is also responsible for directing PLT’s program development, state network capacity building, and operations. Esther has worked as an educator, program designer, executive director, and evaluator in the nonprofit sector for over 25 years at the state and national levels. She is experienced in the design, implementation, and evaluation of environmental and place-based education curriculum and professional development programs, with a particular emphasis on changes in knowledge, skills, and behaviors of participating educators. She is also experienced in applying research and evaluation to strategic planning and organizational development. Her skills are deeply rooted in participatory involvement and building collaborative processes and partnerships. Esther holds a Masters of Education in Instruction and Curriculum from Plymouth State College and BA in Economics from the University of New Hampshire.

I am an environmental educator and resource teacher with Albuquerque Public Schools. I spend most of my time at the Sandia Mountain Natural History center leading ecology field experiences for fifth grade students.  I am also a cofounder and part-time instructor of the Community, Place, & Habitat field program at the Los Padillas Wildlife Sanctuary.  Additionally, I am one of the founding members of Albuquerque Public Schools' Outdoor Learning Team through which I provide professional development to teachers across the district.