Teachers attending a Youth Engaged in Sustainable Systems (YESS) program workshop in May had an energizing start to their first day when an Emmy Award-winning geologist provided the keynote address.
Central Washington University professor Nick Zentner, host of the ‘Nick on the Rocks’ PBS-TV geology series, provided a broad context of geology in Washington and how it relates to natural resource careers and the work that’s occurring in different areas before facilitating an activity based on different geologic periods in Washington State. As one teacher put it, “It was an honor to listen to Nick share his knowledge and wisdom with our group. I could not imagine a better way to start off our two days of training.”
The workshop prepared teachers who will be leading YESS programs in 2026 with resources and strategies to strengthen student educational and career preparation outcomes. Nearly all teachers had done at least one previous YESS program, while several had run three or four. The workshop was funded by Career Connect Washington, the US Forest Service’s Inflation Reduction Act Urban and Community Forestry Grant, and the Washington Department of Natural Resources (WA DNR).
Regardless of their experience, the group quickly formed a supportive unit, according to Spalding. “I observed that we have a real community coming together,” she says. “This is the fifth year of doing YESS for some of them. Everyone had something to learn and something to share. They talked about challenges they’ve encountered and best practices they’ve learned.”
One of those challenges involves gear. Certain programs have gear provided through a community partner, but others don’t, resulting in students showing up with improper clothing or equipment. This makes them less likely to take the program and themselves seriously, teachers reported.
“As a group, they were all saying that gear is important,” Spalding explains. “That helps us figure out if this is something we want to try to fund for all the programs. We heard from the teachers who provide gear that their students show up differently when they have a uniform.”
“I used to think my experience during the YESS program in 2025 was unique but now I know that there is a community of YESS teachers statewide.”
— YESS Teacher Workshop Participant
Participants brushed up on their GIS skills with a GIS-based scavenger hunt in downtown Ellensburg before embarking on a guided tour of the Yakama Nation Fisheries (YFN) Mel Sampson Coho Facility, a key partner for the YV-Tech Skills Center, Toppenish School District, and Yakama Nation Tribal School YESS programs. Lead teachers Robin Driver and Robert Vargas and Mid-Columbia Fisheries Enhancement Group (MCFEG) Education and Outreach Coordinator Tori Wood discussed their multi-year partnership.
“We highlighted the work YV-TECH has been doing with Yakama Nation Fisheries,” says Spalding. “Every year, students tag Coho salmon and participate in fish releases. The teachers liked that we were meeting in one place, highlighting a specific YESS program and its partners.”
At a second site visit to Teanaway Community Forest, WA DNR Youth Education and Outreach Program Manager Clare Sobetski led the group through a model community decision-making case study. Teachers took on the roles of different constituents, such as private landowners, tribal foresters and the general public, to consider a case study of dams engineered by local beavers. “This was a great way for teachers to become familiar with this curriculum Clare has developed for use in the YESS program while also highlighting the partnership between YV-TECH, DNR and MCFEG,” Spalding says.
After two days of sharing ideas and seeing examples of YESS partnership projects, the group was feeling better prepared to take on another summer. “Learning from other professionals helped ease some of my nerves about this program,” reported one participant in a post-workshop survey. “I had some fears and concerns that feel cared for now. I know I have a great support system.”
“I used to think my experience during the YESS program in 2025 was unique,” another shared, “but now I know that there is a community of YESS teachers statewide.”
