Local teacher wins national learning grant

Wilson is a U.S. government/history, world history, and economics teacher at Bedford County Learning Academy.

"I was ecstatic to receive the grant," Wilson said.

The grant will allow Wilson to take two online graduate-level courses offered by the Environmental Education and Training Partnership through the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

"Emily represents a generation of teachers who will help students flourish in the 21st century's green economy," said Diane Wood, president of the NEEF, in the release. "Environmental education is more than just helping build an appreciation for the natural world, it's about preparing our young people for the careers of tomorrow."

Wilson, who will use the courses to teach both her colleagues and students new ways to approach conservation and good environmental stewardship, said she learned about the grant opportunity earlier this summer.

"I was surfing some teacher web sites and I saw a link for grant opportunities," she said. "The National Environmental Education Foundation, partnered with the Weather Channel, was offering the opportunity to take graduate school courses online. The deadline for the application was the same day I found the link, so I had to work quickly, and explain why I was applying.

"To me it felt like a long shot, being that I hadn't prepped any of my answers beforehand. I answered honestly and a few months later, I opened an e-mail from NEEF and learned that I had been chosen as a participant. It was a pleasant surprise."

By receiving the grant, Wilson, who had already planned to start a recycling program at Bedford County Learning Academy this year, will provide her students with the opportunity to make positive changes within the community, according to the release.

"I am thrilled to be a participant, and I know that the information I learn will only enhance our school curriculum," she said. "I feel very fortunate."

The High School Challenge Grants Program is one component of Classroom Earth, a site designed by high school teachers for high school teachers, enabling them to find lesson plans, success stories and strategies for integrating environmental education into a variety of subject areas using unique and innovative lesson plans.

"Classroom Earth is committed to providing teachers with the resources to engage students to take on environmental challenges," Wood said. "The grants program is an essential component. It equips high school teachers with the knowledge and tools to increase the environmental literacy of their students."

Classroom Earth strengthens environmental education in high schools by sharing best practices, increasing the expertise and enriching the curriculum of America's teachers.

Criteria for the grant included being an educator, having a background in social studies or science, and identifying a need for environmental education in a particular school.

For more information about Wilson and the rest of the Classroom Earth national grant winners, visit www.classroomearth.org.