Teacher Professional Development Through Environmental Education Institutes

Using North Carolina's environment as an integrating context for learning is a proven academic achievement method. Weeklong Environmental Education Institutes provide K-12 teachers in North Carolina's public and private schools with the opportunity to experience and participate in hands-on environmental education activities from a diverse cadre of field tested environmental education workshops. As an example, Institutes may focus on teachers' current need for professional development to meet the new Earth/Environmental Science high school graduation requirement. Each Institute provides a multitude of resources and contacts to enable teachers to integrate environmental education experiences and activities directly into the specific standard course of study goals and objectives of their classrooms. Participating teachers earn Continuing Education Units (CEU) required for renewal of their North Carolina teaching certificates, as well as credits needed to become Certified Environmental Educators. The Institutes involve collaboration with various agencies and organizations including the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.  Including teachers who reach under-served populations is always a priority. Recently, with funding from EPA, four week long institutes were conducted for 100 teachers at Trinity Center, Catawba College, Peace College, and Crossnore.

Detailed Description of Program

Links:
Upcoming Institutes