Victoria Serna

Dr. Victoria Serna is a Lecturer in the Department of Teacher Education and Administration and a Site Coordinator for clinical teachers. She has more than 16 years of experience teaching science in various settings. She began her career at an outdoor school with Texas Tech University and most recently taught in public school for grades 2 and 4, but spent most of her time as a 5th grade science teacher. She was honored as the 2021-2022 District Elementary Teacher of the Year.

In addition to formal education, Dr. Serna has been engaging communities in informal science education roles. She served as Engagement Coordinator for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and created a collaborative distance learning program called TPWDiscover. Still operating today, it allows classrooms around the globe to connect with the agency's resources and careers. Dr. Serna served as a trainer consultant with the Children and Nature Network's Natural Leaders Network and Outdoor Nation to increase the participation of youth in the outdoors.

Dr. Serna's informal education experiences taught her the value of building community and relationships and their power on influencing student participation, engagement, and success in and outside the classroom. She continues to lead a family nature community she founded with a grant in graduate school that introduces participants the outdoors and recreation opportunities. 

Can't find her inside? Look outside!

• Thompson, R. & Serna, V.F. (2016). Empirical Evidence in Support of a Research-Informed Water Conservation Education Program. Applied Environmental Education & Communication.
• Serna, V.F. (Dec. 13, 2015). Backyard Campout: Getting the Neighborhood Together Outside. The New Nature Movement, Columns by Richard Louv.
• Serna, V.F. (Jan. 8, 2015). Latino Families and the Great Outdoors: Six Things I've Learned from North Texas Kids Outside, The New Nature Movement, Columns by Richard Louv.