Teacher Retreats

A restorative weekend experience designed to honor and support Texas public school teachers.

About Teacher Retreats

Our retreats offer teachers a rare opportunity to step away from the demands of daily school life and focus on their own well‑being. Hosted at the Campus on Lake Austin, the retreat combines relaxation, connection and tailored learning experiences to help teachers feel nurtured and valued for their important work.

What People Are Saying

“From the minute you walk in, it’s just amazing. We were treated like the royalty we’re always told we are. I just walked out floating.”

Leigh Burnell
Teacher  /  Round Rock ISD

Nominate A Teacher


Check back between February 20 and March 6 to nominate a teacher for our next Teacher Retreat. Any public school teacher in the Houston area is eligible to be nominated. From the pool of nominees, 150 teachers will be selected.

Want to help us spread the word? Use our social media toolkit for ready-to-share posts, images and videos that make it easy to celebrate teachers across the Houston area.

Two leaders walk along a path at the Campus on Lake Austin

The Retreat experience

Teachers enjoy individual accommodations, nutritious meals prepared by the culinary team and a flexible schedule that may include activities such as chair massages, nature walks, group exercise classes, art workshops and well‑being sessions on topics like stress management and nutrition. Thanks to the generosity of Holdsworth Annual Sponsors, the retreat is offered at no cost to teachers aside from travel to the campus.

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“This retreat was absolutely EVERYTHING!!!! We were pampered and taken care of in every way. They put a lot of thought in everything we experienced. This has been one of the most meaningful experiences I’ve ever had.”

Tiffany Smith
Teacher  /  Frisco ISD

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“I am forever grateful to my nominator. The Teacher Retreat has been the single most transformative moment in my 27 years of education. It reminded me that what I do matters.”

Nicole Dickerson
Teacher  /  Dallas ISD

“The teachers on the front line – the armor gets heavy. Coming to an event like this would be the equivalent of a knight getting his sword sharpened, getting his shield buffed, getting the dents bent out, not only physically but emotionally and spiritually. I feel shiny, brand-new and ready to get back out on the front.”

Eric Hale Teacher  /  Dallas ISD | 2021 Texas State Teacher of the Year

“It was AMAZING! Food was incredible and the time was needed. The speaker spoke LIFE into me and helped remind me that I still got the juice!

Jamie Banks Teacher  /  Dallas ISD
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“I can't even put in words how beautiful this place is. It has enriched me as a whole person, not just as a teacher.”

Sandra Way
Teacher  /  Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD

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“Being able to come somewhere like this where you're being reminded to reflect and remember why you went into teaching in the first place—it fills your cup back up.”

Gina Gaytan
Teacher  /  San Antonio ISD

Supporters and Sponsors

  • A+ Federal Credit Union
  • Bob and Annie Graham
  • Central Market
  • Clean Scapes
  • Frost
  • H-E-B
  • John & Maria Zerr
  • Memorial Hermann
  • MFI Foundation
  • O'Connell Robertson
  • Petersen Family Foundation
  • Tokyo Gardens Company
Sponsor A Retreat

Teachers give a lot of themselves. The retreat is a way to give back.

Hear what past retreat participants shared about feeling seen, valued and appreciated.