Two Washington state teachers were among 11 educators nationwide to receive a 2022 Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced recently.
The EPA, together with the White House Council on Environmental Quality, made the announcement June 29. Alfonso Gonzalez, Jr., a sixth-grade math and science teacher at Chimacum Elementary School, Chimacum; and Elsie Mitchell, a high school teacher at Chief Leschi Schools in Puyallup, were recognized "for their leadership and commitment to environmental education and environmental stewardship," according to the announcement.
“I’m inspired by these dedicated educators who spark enthusiasm in our students to develop a love and respect for the environment and help find solutions for issues that impact our air, water, and land,” EPA Region 10 Regional Administrator Casey Sixkiller said in the announcement. The EPA's Region 10 includes the state of Washington.
The Presidential Award for Environmental Educators was established by 1990 National Education Act, the EPA states. The award acknowledges and celebrates teachers who create "outstanding" environmental projects that enrich learning and experiences, according to the statement.
"Winning educators demonstrated leadership by integrating environmental education into multiple subjects," EPA states in the announcement, "and using topics such as climate change, waste management, water quality, wildlife conservation, and STEM education."
Gonzalez uses place- and game-based learning methods to "make learning science and math a fun, challenging and engaging experience," according to the EPA. Gonzalez was recognized for his Ocean Guardian project, a water-quality monitoring program started in 2000 with a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Students conduct testing such as water-quality sampling and fish trapping on a school-side creek, and share their data with the county conservation district.
"Students are excited and motivated to learn about the ecosystem they live in," the EPA report states, "the outdoor classroom makes learning fun and relevant and engages students who sometimes struggle in traditional classroom settings."
Mitchel created her school's Natural Resources Career and Technical Education (CTE) Pathway, which include the science courses Natural Resources and Ecology, Natural Resources and Conservation, and Environmental Science, according to the announcement. The culturally relevant curriculum combines ecology, conservation and Native America viewpoints and the Puyallup Tribal salmon and shellfish programs.
Mitchel's multi-year restoration program for the Lake Leschi wetlands on the school’s campus teaches students to identify and remove invasive plant species and plant native vegetation and monitor water quality and vegetation growth. "Students love this hands-on outdoor classroom and enjoy checking on the vegetation they planted," the EPA states.
Sixkiller said the agency is honored to recognize Gonzalez and Mitchel "among the many Northwest teachers who dedicate themselves to teaching students about the environment, and how they can make a positive difference in our communities.”
EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan said this year's winners continue the "tradition of excellence in environmental education" and that he is "proud of their efforts to tackle the most pressing environmental challenges we face.”
“I’m happy to celebrate the climate action and environmental stewardship work of the dedicated youth and educators who are leaders in their classrooms and communities," Regan said in the announcement. "Environmental education is one of the most important tools in our work to protect the environment and combat the climate crisis.”
