Ten Teachers Receive Chevrolet GREEN Educator Award
(3BL Media) Detroit, MI – September 14, 2012 – Earth Force and the General Motors Foundation recognized 10 environmental educators with the Chevrolet GREEN Educator Award.
Now in its second year, the award honors educators who integrate innovative environmental education into their work. To help inspire others, winners highlight their teaching tools and best practices on the GREEN Educator website.
“Our goal is to recognize educators who go above and beyond to make education come alive and ‘mean something,’” said Lisa Bardwell, president and CEO of Earth Force. “We want to share their stories and resources to inspire others to encourage young people about learning, the environment, and the kinds of leaders they can be in their community."
The educators encourage students to lead their own learning by connecting them to their communities, building local partnerships and serving as a mentor and advocate for the environment. The winners are:
- April Yorks, Flint, Mich. (Kearsley-Armstrong Middle School)
- Dominique Evans-Bye, La Crescenta-Montrose, Calif. (Clark Magnet High School)
- Kate Mini Hilliman, Tonawanda, N.Y. (Buffalo Urban Outdoor Education)
- Kathleen Vrable-Bryan, Youngstown, Ohio (Mahoning Soil and Water Conservation District)
- Kathryn Lynch, Eugene, Ore. (University of Oregon)
- Loree Harvey, Monte Vista, Colo. (Monte Vista Middle School)
- Michele Arquette-Palermo, Rochester, Mich. (Clinton River Watershed Council)
- Stephen J. Ritz, South Bronx, N.Y. (Green Bronx Machine)
- Timothy H. Anderson, Princeton, N.J. (Princeton High School)
- Tracy Hollis, Grand Prairie, Texas (Grand Prairie Independent School District)
“These teachers are at the forefront of hands-on learning both inside and outside of the classroom,” said Mike Robinson, GM Foundation board member and GM vice president of Sustainability and Global Regulatory Affairs.
“The GM Foundation understands the importance of engaging our next generation of engineers and community leaders, whether it’s through our own GM GREEN watershed education program or recognition of outstanding environmental educators,” Robinson said.
GM is in its 23rd year supporting GM GREEN (Global Rivers Environmental Education Network), a partnership with Earth Force to help youth understand how their actions impact local watersheds. The interactive learning experience continues to gain traction, and this year marks the first time every GM manufacturing site in the United States will mentor students in their local community on water quality. Last year, GM volunteers waded into streams with 9,312 students from nearly 100 schools.
About the GM Foundation
Since its inception in 1976, the GM Foundation has donated hundreds of millions of dollars to American charities, educational organizations and to disaster relief efforts worldwide. The GM Foundation focuses on supporting Education, Health and Human Services, Environment and Energy and Community Development initiatives, mainly in the communities where GM operates. Funding of the GM Foundation comes solely from GM. The last contribution to the GM Foundation was made in 2001. For more information, visit http://www.gm.com/company/aboutGM/gm_foundation.html
About Earth Force
Earth Force is a national 501(c)(3) organization with headquarters in Denver, CO. Our mission is to engage young people as active citizens who improve the environment and their communities now and in the future. Through Earth Force and our network of partners, young people get hands-on, real-world opportunities to practice civic skills, acquire a deep understanding of the environment, and develop the skills and motivation to become life-long leaders in addressing community issues. Visit us at www.earthforce.org or follow us at @earthforce to learn more.
