Educators from Castlegar; Rossland among award recipients
By Contributor
A number of local educators took home awards from the 2018 Canadian Environmental Education Conference. The awards ceremony, which took place on October 20 at St. Eugene Resort near Cranbrook, recognized both classroom teachers and community educators who demonstrated excellence in encouraging stewardship and sustainability through environmental education in the Canadian Columbia Basin. Nominated by their peers, and chosen by a committee of past recipients, their experience, collaborative efforts and mentorship have made a positive impact on our entire region.
Local awards went to Courtney Haeusler (Fernie), Dawn Deydey (Fernie), Janene Stein (Balfour), Joan Dolinsky (Golden), Katrina Sumrall (New Denver), Kristina Leidums (Creston), Laura Jackman (Rossland), Mardelle Sauerborn (Sparwood) and Sheena Stienstra (Castlegar).
Past recipients, Janet Kuijt, Natasha Burgess and Erika Momeyer presented the awards. Burgess remarked, “It was such an honour to be able to stand with past award recipients and recognize the efforts of these nine inspiring educators. As we read about the achievements of each of these individuals, I was reminded again of the incredible work being done across the Columbia Basin. I was also brought back to the feeling of pride and community that came when I received my award, and I hope this year’s award recipients had that feeling as well.”
In addition, the local region brought home two Canadian Awards of Environmental Education Excellence. The Kootenay-Boundary’s School Superintendent Environmental Education Initiative was recognized for their work in supporting place-based learning in schools around the region. And CBEEN’s Executive Director, Duncan Whittick, received the national award for outstanding individual supporting an organization in Canada.
Canadian Awards Chair, Adam Young, reflected that “The EECOM Awards Ceremony is an important moment for environmental educators across the country to honour the individuals and organizations who are leading the way in Canada. We are fortunate to celebrate and learn from award winners and have them as inspiration in our day-to-day practices and decision making on critical environmental teachings.”
INDIVIDUAL AWARD RECIPIENT SUMMARIES
Sheena Stienstra (Castlegar) creates and implements numerous place-based, outdoor environmental education initiatives that enrich her students’ education, some of which will be utilized by all RCS staff for years to come. Sheena also collaborates effectively with community wildlife, trails, and historical societies in developing and implementing environmental education programs for students. Finally, Sheena is a staff leader for environmental education, arranging staff professional development workshops and volunteering her time to create resources for environmental education use at local schools. Through place-based activities Sheena’s students become stewards of their local environment. Sheena draws from community expertise in implementing these programs and she teaches many of them herself. Sheena has taken the lead role in creating a new wetland for RCS, and she previously volunteered her time to create resources for the Kinnaird School wetland. Working with the local rod and gun club, First Nation, and trails societies Sheena helped create the ‘work and learn days’ that over 600 students have participated in over the past 5 years.
Laura Jackman (Rossland) is a fearless guide in environmental education in School District 20. She has created and implemented a now community-wide, weeklong Bio Blitz, a celebration of environmental education and action that brings together three schools and experts from around the Columbia Basin. She organizes local, regional and provincial Pro-D – from Super Conference to Classrooms to Communities to leading the local EEPSA chapter. She encourages and mentors others without hesitation, with wide-ranging knowledge, and with a sense of vision and enthusiasm. Laura is continuously working on environmental projects with her students, with the latest being a tree identification project. Inquiry walls investigating environment systems and issues adorn the walls in Laura’s classroom, which also features plants, garden boxes, and a life-size paper maché tree in the centre of the classroom. Students who have the gift of being in Laura’s class have rich outdoor learning experiences and develop self-confidence through their hand’s on discovery.
· Individual recipient summaries in document and here: https://cbeen.ca/local-educators-take-home-awards-at-national-conference/
· Photos of all recipients are available for use here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ka163pvr7g3ptpx/AAAD-dwHAXKKNFD2TnhGlq4na?dl=0
· Photo Attached: Jennifer Roberts and Cheryl Lenardon receive a Canadian Award of Excellence on behalf of the Kootenay-Boundary Environmental Education Committee (KBEE), representing school districts 5, 6, 8, 10, 20 and 51. http://kbee.ca
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