Teacher’s Night Out Brings Educators Together for a Night of Learning, Networking, and Fun

JACKSON, MS— The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) and the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science (MMNS) welcomed educators from across Mississippi to Teacher’s Night Out on Saturday, October 4, 2025. The free professional development event offered K–12 teachers engaging resources, creative collaboration opportunities, and a fun evening to celebrate their work in the classroom.

Held at the MMNS, the event featured interactive exhibits, creature features, and opportunities to explore the museum. Attendees also enjoyed raffle prizes, goodie bags, 365 photo booth, boutique pop-up shopping, food, and drinks.

Teachers connected with more than a dozen partner organizations, including MDWFP; MMNS; Adopt-A-Stream; Mississippi Forestry Commission; US Army Corps of Engineers; Mississippi Bug Blues; Freedom Ranch Wildlife Center; Mississippi Agriculture & Forestry Museum; Clinton Community Nature Center; National Park Service (Natchez Trace Parkway); Mississippi Soil & Water Conservation Commission; Sawfish Conservation Society; Keep Mississippi Beautiful; Magnolia Library Resources; Lower Mississippi River Foundation; Coastal Conservation Resources; and Mississippi Sound Estuary Program. Educators also had the opportunity to shop at two boutique pop-ups: Mendenhall Mercantile and Magnolia Soap. These groups provided materials and ideas to help educators enhance classroom instruction and inspire the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts. 

This event was made possible through the generous support of our sponsors: the Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks Marine Foundation; the Museum of Natural Science Foundation; Providence Hill; Magnolia Steel; Birdsong Construction; Vacuum Truck Rental; Southern Beverage; Chandeleur Island Brewing Company; SoPro Brewery; and Revell Hardware. We sincerely thank each of you for helping us connect educators with valuable resources and enriching their classrooms through this event. 

“Teacher’s Night Out is a way to thank our state’s educators while also connecting them with tools to inspire the next generation of conservation-minded Mississippians,” said Jessica Amacker, MDWFP Wildlife and Fisheries Coordinator. “The turnout shows just how valuable these resources are for teachers across the state.”

The mission of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks is to conserve and enhance Mississippi’s wildlife, fisheries, and parks; provide quality outdoor recreation, and engage the public in natural resource conservation.