Houston ISD Outdoor Education Center Alum

04/06/2026

Another former OEC member has passed.

Sr. Thomas Ann LaCour, O.P. (Evelyn Ann) entered eternal life on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Sr. Thomas Ann was born in Beaumont on March 15, 1941, to Carrol and Alice Marie Lee LaCour. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister Debbie LaCour. She is survived by her sisters Stephanie Brian, Ch...

05/04/2024

I just gotta say. The legacy of my old career remains. I love seeing how our former staff are excelling out there in the big wide would out there. We helped each other be the better can be. And we all did it in the shoulders of the great people who started the OEC. The ideal of treating employment as a learning function really pays forward. And I occasionally meet former students as well doing amazing things. The program may be gone but the ideals is represented will be paying forward for generations.

Take a moment to check in on some of the alumni in your friend list. Especially those that don’t pop up in your algorithm. Great stuff going on out there. I kind of want to name some names. But if you are reading this and think I MIGHT be talking to you. I am!!! Keep it up!!!

12/24/2023

In case anyone has not seen Mary is signing off soon. I messaged her this morning and she appreciates your messages.

08/12/2022

Paul Scheible has left his body. 😞

08/02/2022

Paul is not doing well. He could use your prayers.

09/27/2021

Big Kahuna Prime

08/25/2021

Portland OE JOB

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07/21/2019

If I ever find myself in a position where I have a say, I’m going to create a space like this. We sort of had this when the Deer Pen was still up.

Update: Sadly, the 2016 wind storm took down the towering pines in the playscape so it no longer has dappled shade. However, the stumps left awesome natural climbing and jumping structures. What …

05/25/2019

I guess 28 years of saying goodbye to kids every week at the OEC made my last day of class this year seem fairly routine. It really speaks to how impactful the OEC was......emotionally my last day of school this year did not feel THAT much different than every Friday saying goodbye to a group of students at the OEC. It’s was really amazing how much we bonded with those kids in a week. In the other hand getting involved with parents, families and the community added a whole new level of sadness at the end. I know that I will remain part of the Willis education community so I will stay in touch with many of my students and families. In that sense it made yesterday’s goodbye easier. At the OEC you really had to let go.

05/03/2019

Renew the old OEC Website or let it go?

03/29/2019

So I did a pond study lesson last week for my science lab. One of my students asks to bring home a net. Then, yesterday, his mother starts messaging me asking about places where he can explore with his net. Today she sends me this picture! My year is complete. BTW this spot is less than a mile from my school. Literally within walking distance from most of their homes.