About Us
The Monmouth University Climate Change Learning Collaborative (MU CCLC) was developed by Michelle Schpakow, Ed.D., Catherine Duckett, Ph.D., and Peter Jacques, Ph.D. in collaboration with Monmouth University’s Urban Coast Institute (UCI), the New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium (NJSGC), and Monmouth Conservation Foundation. With the funding support of the NJ Department of Education’s Expanding Access to Climate Change and NJ Student Learning Grant, the MU CCLC aims to prepare NJ K-12 teachers to teach climate change in developmentally appropriate ways across all grade levels and subject areas. Monmouth Conservation Foundation, NJ Sea Grant Consortium, and the Urban Coast Institute will offer place-based curriculum and experiential learning opportunities while Monmouth University will offer professional development related to climate science, interdisciplinary instruction, and special interest topics related to climate change. Though the MU CCLC is funded by a grant from the New Jersey Department of Education, the materials and any opinions, results, conclusions, or recommendations expressed within are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the New Jersey Department of Education nor constitute an endorsement thereof.
Collaboration and Community Engagement!
The MU CCLC team is here to offer support and answer questions between sessions. Sign up for email announcements and reminders from our team, or email us at MUclimateeducation@monmouth.edu. You can also join our Google Classroom to interact and collaborate with other, local educators. We look forward to working with you!
Stipend Requests
Teachers and administrators from New Jersey public schools are eligible to attend Climate Change Learning Collaborative events/opportunities and use services provided by the Climate Change Learning Collaborative. Teachers from New Jersey public schools are eligible to receive a stipend for attending Climate Change Learning Collaborative events/opportunities outside contracted hours and substitute teacher coverage for attending Climate Change Learning Collaborative events/opportunities at an offsite location during contracted hours. Teachers will be required to complete a post-event/opportunity survey to receive a stipend or substitute teacher coverage. The MU CCLC’s partnering Local Education Agencies (LEAs) in Monmouth County, Mercer County, and Union County will be given priority in event/opportunity attendance and the disbursement of stipends or substitute teacher coverage.
To request stipends, you must meet all of the above criteria. You can then submit a signed 2024 W9 and Contracted and Professional Services form to muclimateeducation@monmouth.edu for each event you attend. Stipends will be paid at the rate of $60/hour up to $180 per event. If you need help completing these forms, let us know. Your school may email us an invoice for substitute teacher costs for any events you attend during the school day.
Beginning January 1, 2026, the Monmouth University (MU) Climate Change Learning Collaborative (CCLC) will implement the following new policies:
- Participants will no longer be allowed to submit stipend requests for events they have attended in the past. Participation at duplicate events is allowed, as space permits, but additional payments will not be issued.
- Attendees at virtual events must
- Keep their cameras on and facing them for the entirety of the event.
- ensure they are logged in under the correct name.
- not operate a vehicle at any time during the event.
- remain fully engaged for the entirety of the event. Examples of “engagement” may include active participation in break-out groups, submitting responses through platforms such as Padlet or Google Classroom, or providing samples of work produced in the session.
- Registrants for in-person events must notify the CCLC of registration cancellation at least 24 hours in advance. Failure to do so will result in the registrant automatically being moved to the waitlist for all future events.
- Stipend payments will be issued 6-12 weeks after the request is submitted, provided all of the request forms have been completed and submitted correctly.
Please contact the CCLC project team at muclimateeducation@monmouth.edu with any questions.
Upcoming Professional Development Sessions
Coaching & Collaboration
March 11, 2026, 4 – 5 p.m., Zoom
Please join us online for some professional networking. We will provide a brief review of climate change education, a question and answer period, and time to work together in a supportive environment. Teachers may bring lesson plans they need help with. Administrators may bring questions they have about implementation in their schools. We are happy to address any needs brought to this session and provide space for collaboration among schools and districts. Register for Coaching & Collaboration.
2025-2026 Culminating Showcase Event
March 19, 2026, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., Monmouth University Campus
Please save the date! The Monmouth University CCLC will host the 2025-2026 Culminating Showcase Event on March 19, 2026. This event is mandatory for all partnering LEAs and highly recommended for all other school districts. Teams of teachers, administrators, and groups of students are encouraged to create posters and other displays to share with colleagues around the state highlighting their accomplishments and progress toward implementing the NJ climate change education standards. In addition to the symposium, we will host Doug Tallamy as the keynote speaker, facilitate student-centered activities with prizes for K-12 students, and provide opportunities for collaboration with Monmouth Conservation Foundation, NJ Department of Environmental Protection, New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium, Ocean County Master Composters, and more!
Each registrant (including K-12 students, teachers, and administrators) will need to sign photo release forms and indicate any dietary restrictions. Necessary forms will be shared upon registration. Due to this event falling on a workday, teachers will not be paid to attend, however, school districts may request reimbursement for substitute teachers. Additionally, we can reimburse the cost of bus transportation up to $800 per district. We look forward to celebrating with you in March! An agenda and additional logistical details will be shared via email with districts as they register. Email muclimateeducation@monmouth.edu with any questions.
Register for the Culminating Showcase Event by February 27, 2026.
Access our The Culminating Showcase Event Program!