Seguin ISD highlights Irma Lewis Outdoor Learning Center and honors teacher Stephanie DuBose

At the Oct. 29 board meeting Seguin ISD highlighted an Outdoor Learning Center program intended to expand rigorous, hands‑on learning outside the classroom.

Principal Leslie Mahaffey (introduced at the board meeting) and teachers described a station‑based model in which 3rd–5th graders rotate through a science lab about erosion, an outdoor field experience to gather evidence and a literacy station to write and create products that demonstrate learning. "If they're learning about erosion, they would rotate through a lab about erosion, go to an outdoor experience where they work as teams on challenges and perhaps go on a hike and take notes about evidence of erosion they see," a presenter explained.

Administrators linked the initiative to district strategic goals, including a stated objective to increase the share of 3rd‑grade students meeting STAR Reading from 36% to 55% by August 2027. The program’s advocates argued outdoor, applied experiences support science, math and writing while increasing attendance through engaging field opportunities.

The board also presented the Superintendent Apple Award to teacher Stephanie DuBose for leading the Outdoor Learning Center work and other science initiatives across grade levels.

What’s next: district leaders said they plan to expand resources and training so more campuses can use the Outdoor Learning Center as an extension of classroom instruction.