A PROJECT LED THROUGH THE REV
Cottonwood Canyon Teacher Institute (CCTI)
Cottonwood Canyon Teacher Institute is a partnership between the Eastern Oregon University College of Education, the Region 18 Wallowa ESD, Teach Rural Oregon and the Rural Engagement & Vitality Center with grant support from the Oregon Department of Education based on grant initiative and funding recommendation from the Educator Advancement Council.
Are you a high school student interested in an experience of learning while living in the outdoors?
Learn about our program for you: Cottonwood Crossing Summer Institute.
When: June 21-24, 2026
Where: Cottonwood Canyon State Park
The Cottonwood Canyon Teacher Institute is an intensive four-day long residential place-based field studies program for teachers from throughout Oregon. Participants choose from four course options where they learn about locally significant cultural or natural resources. Projects are led by EOU faculty, and other regional professionals.
During this week you will engage in hands-on learning through three projects – engineering design, water quality studies, and storytelling. Our program is focused on technical skills and projects that you can use with your students and also encourages collaborative time with your colleagues to identify and problem-solve challenges you’ll face in the classroom during implementation.
Teachers who attend receive a stipend and Professional Development Units. In 2025, funds are available to cover the transportation costs to Cottonwood Canyon State Park for students and teachers attending either the Cottonwood Crossing Student Institute or the Cottonwood Canyon Teacher Institute. Learn more >
Cottonwood Canyon State Park is located in north central Oregon. The park’s 8,000-plus acres are open for exploring, stargazing and contemplating the elemental forces that carved its unique landscape.
Cottonwood Canyon Teacher Institute Team
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Eric Carlson
Eric is REV’s program manager and coordinates the Cottonwood Canyon Teacher Institute.
He is a born and raised Oregonian, originally from Burns. He received an associate’s degree of forest resource technology from Central Oregon Community College.
A self-described tree nerd, Eric worked as a forester for about 10 years before joining REV. During this time he gained valuable project management skills, and experience collaborating with different natural resource agencies.
Eric loves anything outdoors and is excited to use his passions to REV as the project manager. He is excited to bring the experience he has outdoors to the Get Outside After School Activities Program (GO-ASAP) and Cottonwood Crossing Student Institute and Cottonwood Canyon Teaching Institute.
During Eric’s days off you will probably find him out on one of the many beautiful hiking trails in the Pacific Northwest.
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Joe Corsini
Dr. Joe Corsini, a CCTI Instructor, is a Professor of Microbiology at Eastern Oregon University. He has been one of the founders of the teaching institute.
Dr. Corsini is a broadly trained biologist with research interests in a variety of biological topics including molecular virology and Eocene-Oligocene paleontology.
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James Stolen
James Stolen, a CCTI Instructor, is an Instructor of English & Writing at at Eastern Oregon University. He grew up in Alaska and Oregon, and served as Peace Corps Volunteer in Lesotho between 2006-2008. He has been part of CCTI since its beginnings.
An avid adventurer, photographer and writer, he is often found outside the classroom exploring the local region of Eastern Oregon. He teaches creative writing and literature and is involved with the Outdoor Activities Program and Summer Bridge.
