Know Before You Go: Information and helpful hints for your next visit
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Adult Opportunities

Teacher Tuesdays

Discover the resources that can bring trees to life in your classroom with a visit to The Morton Arboretum this summer.

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Teacher Tuesdays are back this summer, June 4 through September 24, 2024, providing free admission to current educators to explore the Arboretum to learn about its many educational resources. Classroom teachers, homeschool teachers, and pre-service student teachers from preschool through college qualify for the program.

Free Teacher Tuesday passes must be obtained in advance by filling out the interest form the week prior to the desired Teacher Tuesday. The interest form opens each Wednesday at 8:00 a.m. and closes at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, unless capacity has been reached. Pass availability is on a first-come, first-served basis and capacity may vary each week. Teacher passes are not available at the gatehouse.

To obtain a Teacher Tuesday pass, follow these easy steps:

  1. On the Wednesday before your desired Teacher Tuesday, click the interest form link after 8:00 a.m. and fill it out completely and correctly. Verify your teaching status by using your school or district email. If you do not have a district or school email (e.g. homeschool teachers), complete the form then email Megan Kuhl-Horbin (mkuhl-horbin@mortonarb.org) with their teaching status information. Please note: If the link doesn’t work, capacity has been reached for Teacher Tuesday that week.
  2. Check your inbox for confirmation that you will be receiving a Teacher Tuesday ticket. This could take up to 24-48 hours.
  3. On the Monday before your desired Teacher Tuesday date, check your email inbox for your ticket. It is good all day long on your Teacher Tuesday despite having a timestamp. Be sure to buy tickets for additional guests (kids, friends, significant others) in advance. Tickets are not available at the gatehouse. Get tickets here.
  4. On your Teacher Tuesday, arrive at the gatehouse with your ticket and enjoy our 1,700 acres!

Complete the interest form to register for the next Teacher Tuesday.

Educators can participate in Teacher Tuesday twice during the summer and tickets are available every Tuesday from June through September, so mark your calendars accordingly:

  • July 30 (request participation between 7/24-7/26)
  • August 6 (request participation between 7/31-8/2)
  • August 13 (request participation between 8/7-8/9)
  • August 20 (request participation between 8/14-8/16)
  • August 27 (request participation between 8/21-8/23)
  • September 3 (request participation between 8/28-8/30)
  • September 10 (request participation between 9/4-9/6)
  • September 17 (request participation between 9/11-9/13)
  • September 24 (request participation between 9/18-9/20)

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Teachers and teachers-in-training from preschool through college can visit The Morton Arboretum with free admission every Tuesday from June 4 through September 24, 2024. It’s an opportunity to enjoy all the natural beauty the Arboretum offers and experience the Arboretum’s Of the Earth exhibition while discovering options for student field trips and learning about educational resources.

  • Interested teachers must complete the interest form in advance of their visit. Passes are not available at the gatehouse and must be obtained online in advance of each visit. Passes are limited and provided on a first-come-first- serve basis each week. The interest form opens each Wednesday and is open until capacity is reached or 4:00 p.m. (CST) on the Friday before each corresponding Tuesday.

  • Teacher Tuesday tickets are only released one week in advance on the Wednesday prior to the desired Tuesday. By filling out the Teacher Tuesday Interest Form, you are requesting a complimentary Teacher Tuesday admission ticket for the immediate upcoming Tuesday.

  • When completing the interest form online, teachers will provide their school or district email address as verification of their teaching status. Those without a school or district assigned email (homeschool teachers, etc.) must contact Megan-Kuhl-Horbin (mkuhl-horbin@mortonarb.org) after completing the online interest form. No credentials, IDs, or pay stubs will be accepted at the gatehouse. E-tickets will be sent via email on Mondays.

  • Free admission is valid for current teachers only, and does not include additional guests or children. Additional guests can buy general admission tickets at the gatehouse upon arrival at the Arboretum.

  • Teachers can sample self-guided tours along the routes that students of various ages might take, or they can wander anywhere in the Arboretum’s 1,700 acres, including 16 miles of trails and nine miles of roads through natural habitats and tree collections from several continents. Visit the Children’s Garden, which offers a range of learning opportunities for children of different ages and families to interact with nature. Teachers might also explore the Maze Garden,the Sterling Morton Library, and the Plant Clinic, as well as all the trails and gardens. Backpack tours with maps, activities, and educational materials make it possible for teachers to lead their students on educational adventures. Teachers who want to try out a backpack on a free visit should arrange it in advance with Megan Kuhl-Horbin by email (mkuhl-horbin@mortonarb.org).

  • Each teacher may register for two visits during the summer (June through September).

  • The program is designed to give current teachers the opportunity to explore the Arboretum to consider options for student field trips and learn about educational resources for classroom use.

    Current classroom teachers, homeschool teachers, preschool teachers, college professors, and pre-service teachers (currently in school to become a teacher) are eligible. If you do not have a school or district email address, please register online, then contact Megan Kuhl-Horbin (mkuhl-horbin@mortonarb.org) to receive your e-ticket.

    The Arboretum works with several homeschool groups and homeschool teachers to coordinate Acorn Adventures and other opportunities for homeschool educators. This will ensure that you receive information about these opportunities.

    Retired or substitute teachers are not eligible.

  • For questions or more information, contact Meghan Wiesbrock (mwiesbrock@mortonarb.org) or Megan Kuhl-Horbin (mkuhl-horbin@mortonarb.org)

  • The interest form opens at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday ahead of the upcoming Tuesday. The form closes when capacity has been reached, or at 4:00 p.m. on Friday.  On Monday, passes are issued to those who completed the form. If the online form says that it is not available, it is because we have reached capacity for that Tuesday, or the deadline has passed.

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