Learn Wildly

CV

Education and Exploration

Focusing on youth and educator empowerment, I strive to inspire while providing transformative, student-centered and inclusive programming.

✓ Educator

✓ Explorer

✓ Researcher

Leading a youth empowerment summit in South Texas, focused on field research (detecting microplastics)
In the field in Tanzania, collaborating with other educators regarding outdoor learning, grant sponsored by National Geographic Society. Photo by Eliya Lawrence Uzia
Filtering water samples for eDNA analysis, collaborating on a shark conservation project co-sponsored by National Geographic Society and Ocean Exploration Trust

Experience and Education


The information provided is general to respect data privacy. Please reach out through the contact page if more detailed information is requested.

Educator, Technology Integration Specialist (2003-present)

  • Experienced in a wide variety of age levels and content areas
  • Coaches teachers in innovative practices
  • Coordinates and facilitates library programming
  • Supports literacy in grades 7 & 8

National Geographic Explorer (2019-2024)

  • Grantee, leading and being a team member on education projects that center on learner empowerment (2019-2020 Level 1 grant: Explorer Mindset, 2020-2022 Level 2 grant Explorer Mindset, 2022-2023 Meridian Grant Shark Conservation–Hawaiʻi, 2022-2024 Meridian Grant Outdoor Learning, Tanzania)
  • Leading and collaborating on international research and outreach in youth empowerment and engagement
  • Creator of Explorer Mindset Study App (formerly available in iOS) which focuses on developing youth empowerment
  • Self-starter, detail-oriented experience

Outreach Specialist, Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education (2017-2019)

  • I offered two workshops through WCEE, one on outdoor-inspired literacy, and the other called “Step outside and into inspiration”, a one-day workshop on integrating outdoor learning into any content area

Fellowships and Recognition

  • 2024-2025 WI DPI Green and Healthy Schools Regional Leader
  • 2022 EPI Teacher Fellow
  • 2018 Grosvenor Teacher Fellow
  • 2019 Shipboard Science Teacher Fellow
  • 2017 National Geographic Educator Certification
  • 2016 Next Generation Environmental Leaders Project Feature, National Geographic Education
  • 2009 WTEA Program of the Year

Education

  • 2021 MS, Advanced Leadership for Teaching and Learning UWGB
  • 2014 MC-EA Regular Education UW-Oshkosh
  • 2002 Bachelor of Science, Technology Education UW Stout

Creativity

I thoughtfully developed innovative research questions and designed the Explorer Mindset app to support student reflection and empowerment through exploration-based learning. Additionally, I have created a wide range of educational resources, including interactive lesson plans, field studies, and digital tools, to inspire curiosity and engagement in STEM education.

Collaboration

I have led and collaborated with interdisciplinary teams on large-scale projects, including National Geographic-funded initiatives, shark conservation research with Ocean Exploration Trust, and outdoor learning professional development in Tanzania. My work emphasizes teamwork across diverse perspectives to promote environmental education and equity in learning.

Experiential Learning

By integrating hands-on, place-based learning strategies, I have empowered students to connect academic concepts with real-world experiences. My OutdoorSEL resources blend outdoor education with social-emotional learning, demonstrating the power of experiential approaches to foster resilience, critical thinking, and environmental stewardship.

Publications, Projects and Presentations

Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles:

  • Koller, K. (2024). Integrating exploration as a learning context impacts feelings of empowerment and engagement. International Journal of Educational Research Open, 7, 100374. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedro.2024.100374

Reports, Projects and Contributions:

  • Contributor, Nature Ambassadors Project (2022-2024). Outdoor education, explorer mindset research and teacher professional development facilitator
  • Contributor, Ocean Exploration Trust Shark Conservation Project (2022). Environmental DNA (eDNA) collection and GIS mapping.
  • Lead, Level 1 and Level 2 grants, National Geographic Society: Explorer Mindset: Analyzing the impact on engagement and empowerment in learning (2019-2023)
  • Co-author, OutdoorSEL: Integrating Social-Emotional Learning and Outdoor Education (2020). Published resources available through Explorer Mindset.
  • Koller, K. M. (2019, January/February). Teaching and Learning with an Explorer Mindset. Wisconsin School News, 6-11. https://www.wasb.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/WASB_2019-01-janfeb.pdf#page=7
  • W., & Koller, K. M. (2016, March 23). An Outdoor Lab in the City of Ravines. Retrieved March 27, 2017, from http://www.wisconservation.org/outdoor-lab-city-ravines/
  • Koller, K. M. (2016, April). Fox River Academy Students Flourish in Nature’s Classroom. Teaching Today. Retrieved from http://www.teachingtodaywi.com/TTWIApril2016.pdf

Presentations and Conference Proceedings:

  • Koller, K. (2022). Keynote Presentation: Awareness to Action: Exploration as a Context for Learning. Wisconsin Association for Environmental Education Conference (WAEE).
  • Koller, K. (2019). Adopting an Explorer Mindset to Foster Student Growth and Empowerment. TEDx Talk. Watch here.

Strengths

01

Developer

I am deeply committed to nurturing potential—whether in individuals, ecological systems, or transformative ideas—leveraging skills as a facilitator and innovator to inspire growth and meaningful progress through research-driven projects and initiatives.

02

Ideation

My passion for exploring new ideas allows me to design imaginative solutions, like the OutdoorSEL, which integrates social-emotional learning and field science experiences.

03

Empathy

With a strong capacity for understanding diverse perspectives, I create inclusive learning environments that foster emotional resilience, ensuring students and educators feel valued and supported.

04

Strategic

My ability to anticipate trends and devise innovative pathways enables me to develop frameworks, such as I did with the Explorer Mindset App, that challenge conventional learning models and promote creativity in education.

05

Positivity

I bring energy and optimism to every project, using my enthusiasm to motivate teams and sustain momentum as we tackle complex challenges in education and technology.

06

Connectedness

I emphasize collaboration and the interconnectedness of ideas, forging partnerships across disciplines and cultures to design learning experiences that are both locally relevant and globally impactful.