Throughout the year, exceptional teachers prepare students to become environmentally aware citizens through outdoor experiences and imaginative lesson plans. For the 31st year the Delaware Nature Society wishes to recognize the public and private school teachers in Delaware by presenting its Outstanding Environmental Educator Award.
The Award
The award recipient receives:
- An original, personalized Award Certificate.
- $300 coupon toward a Delaware Nature Society program for personal enrichment or toward a class field experience.
- A one-year household membership to the Delaware Nature Society.
- Statewide recognition through press releases and publication on the Delaware Nature Society website.
Awards
An outstanding environmental educator will be honored at the Delaware Nature Society's 47th Annual Meeting at the Ashland Nature Center, Hockessin, DE, in early April.
Application and Selection
Teachers may apply themselves or be nominated by others including parents, community representatives fellow teachers and administrators, officials of state natural resource agencies, and Department of Education personnel. Nominated teachers will be notified by Delaware Nature Society staff and invited to submit an application.
To Nominate a teacher, use the attached Nomination Form and submit a letter of recommendation in support of the candidate to the Delaware Nature Society by January 27, 2012.
To Apply, use the attached Application Form and submit by February 24, 2012. Applications will be reviewed by a Committee of the Delaware Nature Society Board. The award recipient will be notified in early March.
Nomination and Application Forms Click Here to download PDF.
Outstanding Environmental Educator Guidelines
- Time spent out of doors is a top priority. Consider time spent at readily accessible sites, such as school yards as well as formal Field Trips.
- Note the amount of time spent on each unit. Committee places higher value on in-depth studies done over a period of several weeks or seasons.
- At the elementary and middle school level, units should be integrated into most areas of study.
- Students should be actively involved in projects. Students should be more environmentally aware because of having this teacher.
- Lessons should include issues that directly affect Delaware.
- School or community wide action is considered important, where age appropriate.
- Units should be an exciting experience for students.
Successful candidates should reflect the award guidelines in their projects, documentation, lesson plans, photographs and other supportive materials.
Please mail applications to:
David Pragoff, School and Group Program Team Leader
Delaware Nature Society, P.O. Box 700, Hockessin, DE 19707
(Materials will be returned upon request).
