Tuesday, October 18, 2011

EPA to Award Environmental Educators


U.S. EPA has launched the 2011 Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators program. The program will recognize outstanding K-12 teachers who employ innovative approaches to environmental education and use the environment as a context for learning for their students.

“Because the environment affects every part of our lives, environmental education should be part of everything we do and teach,” says EPA Deputy Administrator Bob Perciasepe. “This awards program will highlight and encourage innovative ways to better integrate environmental issues into our young people’s everyday learning experiences—helping to turn environmental education into environmental action.”

Two teachers from each EPA region will be selected. Recipients will receive a commemorative plaque and a $2,000 award to be used to further their professional development in environmental education. In addition, the local education agency employing each teacher will receive a $2,000 award to further the recipient’s environmental educational activities and programs.

Application deadline is Dec. 30, 2011, and winners will be announced in spring 2012.

Photo ©iStockphoto.com/Karen Keczmerski