Educator Spotlight - Claire Greene

Claire Greene, a state park naturalist and environmental educator at Hanging Rock State Park, recently completed the North Carolina Environmental Education Certification.

Claire said the certification program helped advance her career.

"I have worked at Hanging Rock State Park for the past two years. In 2025, I accepted a position for a new section of the park scheduled to open in 2027. The certification is an important step in my professional development and will allow me to continue applying my environmental education experience in my new role. It will also support my long-term career goals, including my aspiration to become a park ranger."

Claire said her favorite part of the certification process was networking with educators.

"I had the opportunity to connect with educators from across the state, build professional relationships with instructors and fellow environmental educators, and expand my knowledge of educational materials and teaching strategies. These experiences have provided me with valuable resources that I can apply to strengthen interpretive and environmental education programming within North Carolina State Parks."

When asked about an experience that stood out to her, Claire said the hands-on learning experiences were the most valuable.

"I especially enjoyed having the instructors conduct workshops as though we were the students, allowing us to experience the activities from a participant's perspective," she said. "Physically taking part in a workshop helped me process and understand the material more effectively than simply being told how the workshop should be conducted. Experiencing the activities firsthand also provided a better understanding of how participants may engage with the material, making the workshops more immersive, meaningful, and effective."

For her community partnership project, Claire worked with a local Girl Scout group to create a native pollinator garden that incorporated a Monarch Waystation. She said the garden provides monarch butterflies with important habitat, food sources, and host plants.

"As native plants are increasingly replaced by ornamental plants that may not provide the food and habitat local wildlife depends on, creating spaces with native vegetation can help restore ecological balance within the surrounding environment. This garden not only supports pollinators but also provides food, shelter, and habitat for birds, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles."

Claire said the garden has also become an important environmental education tool.

"Visitors can explore the garden while learning about the importance of native plants, pollinators, monarch butterflies, and healthy ecosystems. It also provides an opportunity to show visitors they can make a difference by incorporating native plants and pollinator-friendly habitats into their own yards and communities."

Claire said the program changed her approach to teaching.

"When I first began working in environmental education, I was an adult college student with a strong passion for land preservation and habitat conservation. I was so passionate about these subjects that I sometimes came on a little stronger than necessary, trying to provide program participants with as much information as possible. I wanted them to understand everything I found important, but I learned that more information does not always lead to a better learning experience. The certification provided me with tools and teaching strategies that helped me channel that passion into programs that are more focused, hands-on, engaging, and approachable."

Claire said she has found that environmental educators do more than simply provide information.

"Our role is to help learners navigate the process of discovering and understanding a topic in a way that allows them to make their own meaningful connections. The workshops and experiences throughout this certification helped me learn how to identify the most important concepts and present them in a way that is easier for participants to understand and remember. This has helped me become a more intentional educator and has given me greater confidence in creating meaningful educational experiences that encourage curiosity, connection, and a deeper appreciation for the natural world."

Claire said the program also opened her eyes to a new way of viewing environmental issues.

"I have developed a deeper awareness, respect, and appreciation for every creature and living thing and for the important role each plays within an ecosystem. Through this certification and the experiences that came with it, I have gained an incredible amount of knowledge that I can carry with me throughout my career."

She also said the certification strengthened her as an environmental educator and inspired her to set new goals for her career and personal growth.

"I feel more prepared, more confident, and even more passionate about continuing to learn, educate others, and protect the natural resources and places that I care so deeply about. Most importantly, this certification has reminded me that environmental education is not simply about teaching others; it is also about continuing to learn, grow, and see the natural world with curiosity and appreciation."

Educator Spotlight: Jacqueline Gronwald

Jacqueline Gronwald, a media specialist at Ragsdale High School in Guilford County has completed her North Carolina Environmental Education Certification.

As a high school media specialist, Jacqueline says she helps enhance student learning by providing students and teachers with access to books, digital resources and technology.

“I collaborate with teachers to find ways to bring new lessons, resources, and topics into their classrooms to support student learning.”

In her free time, Jacqueline enjoys reading, running and traveling.”

When asked about her favorite part of earning her certification, Jacqueline said it was attending workshops across the state and learning about environmental education.

“These experiences inspired me to regularly take students outside the classroom for hands-on learning. I now incorporate outdoor lessons on topics such as forestry, watersheds, and geysers, and I recently started an annual Bat Week to help students learn about wildlife conservation. I love being able to take what I learn and turn it into meaningful experiences for my students.”

Jacqueline says the experience that stood out most during the program was the “Yellowstone in Winter” Educators of Excellence Institute through the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences.

“It was an incredible opportunity to see wildlife in person that I had only seen in photos before. That experience gave me a greater appreciation for hands-on environmental education and inspired me to create similar opportunities for my students.”

For her community partnership project, Jacqueline created the “Ragsdale Bat Week,” a schoolwide wildlife conservation initiative designed to connect students and their families with local wildlife and environmental education.

“Through classroom lessons, a Q&A session with a bat expert from the Greensboro Science Center, and a Bat Detection Night, students and families learned about bats and their important role in our ecosystem. The project helped build awareness of wildlife conservation and provided an opportunity for the school community to engage in hands-on outdoor learning together.”

She says the program also changed the way she views environmental issues.

“I believe the best way to get students engaged with environmental issues is to make learning meaningful and memorable. Students may not remember a lesson about bats from a Google Slides presentation, but they are much more likely to remember an experience like using bat detectors to find bats themselves before a football game. Creating these hands-on experiences helps students develop a personal connection to the environment and makes them more interested in conservation.”

Educator Spotlight: Freya Bairdsen

Freya Bairdsen, an educator with The North CarolinaArboretum, has completed her NC Environmental Education Certification.

In her role at the Arboretum, Freya facilitates the ecoEXPLORE program, a community science program for children. Much of the program is virtual, but she also leads in-person programs at local libraries, the Arboretum, and with other community partners.

“In my off time, I love hiking, searching for mushrooms and flippin' logs. Most recently, I've also discovered a new adoration for snorkeling in mountain creeks,” said Freya.

Freya said her favorite part of earning her certification was gaining new experiences and learning from other educators.

“The program pushed me to seek out new experiences and meet so many other educators in my area and across the state. It was amazing to learn to facilitate so many new activities, observe experienced and talented educators at work, and take deep dives into different topics in environmental education through the workshops,” she said.

When asked about an experience in the program that stood out to her, Freya said learning about CAST's Universal Design for Learning had the greatest impact.

“I learned principles that I will carry with me throughout my life and that will inform my work for as long as I am in environmental education,” said Freya.

For her community partnership project, Freya organized a Nature Play Day while serving as an AmeriCorps member at the Arboretum.

“I was a primary organizer for Nature Play Day. Everyone could use a little more connection with nature in their lives, so we wanted to design and implement a large community event with the goal of bringing families closer to each other and to nature. We created 10 different nature exploration stations across the Arboretum grounds, including pond exploration, box turtle telemetry tracking, shelter building and plant pressing. Through Nature Play Day, we collaborated with seven different community partners and hosted more than 2,600 participants,” said Freya.

Freya said the program changed her approach to teaching.

“I'm so grateful for my increased knowledge of universal design principles. Now, whenever I create a lesson plan, I like to think of it as building a buffet of learning options, offering as many choices and different ways for learners to meaningfully engage as possible. With this foundation of knowledge, I'm excited to continue improving in this area and to offer more accessible programming. The BEETLES training I completed also had a great impact on my teaching. I feel better able to guide sensory nature observations with students and ask more effective guiding questions,” she said.

Freya said the program reinforced her commitment to environmental education, even though her views on environmental issues have remained largely the same.

“Learning about the origins and guiding principles of environmental education gave language to the mission of the field and helped me bring more structure, intention and community to my work.”

Educator Spotlight: Joshua Cool

Joshua Cool, manager of the Fred Stanback Jr. EcologicalPreserve and Chestnut Orchard for Catawba College's Center for the Environment, has completed his NC Environmental Education Certification.

The achievement is especially significant because Joshua is the first educator to earn the certification since North Carolina's environmental education program became part of Catawba College's Center for the Environment.

As preserve manager, Joshua leads habitat restoration and rewilding efforts, including invasive plant management, native plant encouragement, trail maintenance, and educational programming for visitors.

One of Joshua's favorite aspects of the certification program was the opportunity to connect with fellow environmental educators across North Carolina.

"I have met some of the smartest, kindest, most thoughtful folks while pursuing this certification," he said. "This community is welcoming, helpful, curious, and inspiring. The ecological field can be lonely at times or feel disheartening; forming bonds with so many people doing good work passionately is a balm for the soul."

Among the highlights of the program were two Educator Trekshosted by the NC Museum of Natural Sciences.

"During the first trek, Spring in the Mountains, we recorded salamander species, looked for often-overlooked plants like bear corn, and listened to birds singing their dawn chorus in the morning mist," he said. "The second trek, Where Swans Fly, Bears Walk, and Wolves Howl, took us to the Pocosin Lakes and Alligator River National Wildlife Refuges, where we saw bears, migratory swans, otters, and much more."

"The highlight of this trek was seeing a collared red wolf in the wild," Joshua said. "It was a true once-in-a-lifetime experience and one I will cherish all my days."

As part of the certification requirements, Joshua completed a community project by establishing a Green Team at Salisbury Academy. The project culminated in the school's Earth Day celebration, when the entire student body participated in planting a pollinator garden on campus.

"All students were able to shoot seed bombs from simple slingshots into the prepared ground," he said. "The garden has become a favorite part of campus. Even first and second graders now often report spending recess birdwatching."

The pollinator garden has expanded opportunities for outdoor learning and includes signage explaining the goals and benefits of pollinator gardens. It is managed to support wildlife year-round, with plant stalks left standing through winter and seeds remaining on plants as a food source for birds.

Joshua said the program also transformed his approach to education.

"I was a voracious reader as a child, and I often expected information and evidence, eloquently presented, to be sufficient for effective education," he said. "The highly participatory and often playful nature of many of these programs has proved to be an amazing catalyst for learning."

The experience also broadened his view of environmental stewardship.

"I have expanded my idea of who can, and indeed must, show up for the environment," he said. "Everyone has something to offer in this field, regardless of their direct specialization. This is an all-hands-on-deck situation, and we are going to need a diversity of skills, tactics, and ways of thinking to tackle the challenges we face. We all have something to give."

Educator Spotlight: Caitlyn Heney

For Caitlyn Heney, a senior studying environmental geology at Appalachian State University, earning her North Carolina Environmental Education Certification has been more than a professional achievement. It has opened doors to new opportunities, strengthened her confidence, and connected her with a supportive network of environmental professionals across the state.

Caitlyn, who plans to graduate in December 2026, says one of the most valuable aspects of the certification program has been the relationships she has built along the way.

"The program connected me with an incredible network of people who will continue to support me as I move into my career," she shared.

Last summer, Caitlyn interned with the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality as an erosion and sediment control education and outreach intern. The experience became the foundation for her community partnership project, a key component of the certification program.

"During my internship, I redesigned the Erosion and Sediment Control Program's curriculum, The Erosion Patrol," Caitlyn said. "Starting with an outdated packet from the 1990s, I expanded and modernized the curriculum by creating new activities, a comprehensive educator guidebook, a student workbook and a comic book that I wrote and illustrated. All these materials align with North Carolina's interdisciplinary fourth-grade standards, and my work isn’t finished yet. I am currently completing a third-grade curriculum and will soon begin developing a middle school curriculum as well."

Among the highlights of the certification process, Caitlyn says connecting with classroom teachers and nonformal educators from across North Carolina was especially meaningful.

"Hearing about people's different backgrounds, making connections and forming new friendships was wonderful," she said.

When reflecting on her certification journey, Caitlyn said one of the biggest surprises was discovering that environmental education was much more than a backup plan.

"When I started the certification program, I honestly saw it as a backup plan," she said. "I wasn't sure what my future would look like, so I wanted to build my environmental résumé and create more options after graduation. Over time, though, I fell in love with environmental education and realized this was the path I was meant to follow.

"Somewhere along the way, it stopped feeling like a backup plan and became something I was genuinely excited about. I love combining my passion for the environment with art and creativity and then sharing that passion with people of all ages. Environmental education has shown me that science does not have to feel intimidating or inaccessible. There are so many creative ways to take complex environmental topics and make them engaging, understandable and even fun. Discovering that has been one of the most meaningful parts of earning my certification."

One experience that particularly stood out was attending three Project WET (Water Education for Tomorrow) workshops.

"These were some of my favorite workshops throughout the entire process," Caitlyn said. "I've always been passionate about water, especially coastal environments, but these workshops helped me realize how much I enjoy water education in general. They also showed me just how interconnected geology and water really are.”

Caitlyn said that water is connected to all the topics that interest her from erosion and sedimentation to groundwater, watersheds, coastal processes and environmental conservation. “Through hands-on activities, I realized that environmental education was not separate from my interest in geology. Instead, it became a way to bring all of those interests together."

The certification program also transformed Caitlyn's approach to teaching and helped her gain confidence as an educator.

"When I entered the program, I had very little experience and didn't really know what environmental education looked like," she said. "I knew how to talk about my interests and share what I knew, but I didn't know how to structure that knowledge into meaningful lessons.”

Caitlyn says after earning her certification, she feels confident planning lessons and leading groups on environmental topics, both indoors and outdoors. “My public speaking skills have improved tremendously, and I'm much more comfortable answering questions and adapting when things don't go as planned. One of the biggest things I've gained from this program is confidence. I've learned that it's okay to make mistakes, learn from them and keep moving forward."

Beyond teaching skills, Caitlyn says the program also changed the way she views environmental issues.

"Before I started the certification program, and honestly before I even began my degree, I was extremely pessimistic," she said. "I viewed environmental issues as black and white, and everything felt like the end of the world.”

After completing the prerequisite for enrolling in the program, the "Basics of Environmental Education,” she says her perspective began to change. “I realized environmental issues are more like a rainbow. They are complex, and there is hope. There isn't always a single problem, a single solution or one person to blame. There are many perspectives, experiences, and factors to consider.”

She also says that realization has completely changed how she approaches environmental issues, and how she hopes to teach others about them. “As an environmental educator, I want to inspire empathy and compassion while encouraging action and positive change. The topics we teach can be difficult and sometimes overwhelming, especially when it's easy to focus on everything going wrong. But there is still hope, and I want the people I teach to leave feeling empowered to be part of the solution. Hope is incredibly important right now, and I believe environmental education can help create more of it."

 

Educator Spotlight: Gretchen Castelloe

Gretchen Castelloe recently completed the NC Environmental Education Certification. Gretchen is an Outreach Youth Educator at The NC Arboretum in Asheville. Gretchen works with students and teachers. “I help youth connect with nature. I primarily work with NC teachers, to bring outdoor education and community science into their lesson plans.” In her personal time, she enjoys hiking, swimming and being outdoors.

Gretchen says her favorite part of the program was the networking. “I enjoyed meeting educators from across the state and seeing their different teaching methods. I learned so many teaching strategies just from watching how other educators led workshops.”

When asked about a certification experience that stood out to her, Gretchen says it was the Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion workshop taught by Michelle Pearce through Environmental Educators of NC. “I learned so much about bias and equity work in environmental education and felt empowered to make things better.”

For her community partnership project, Gretchen planned a homeschool day at Camp Don Lee that reached 192 participants. “It offered a rare opportunity for homeschool families to experience a field trip to a place with excellent coastal education. They connected with their local environment on a deeper level as well as connected with other homeschool families in the area.”

Gretchen says the certification program changed her approach to teaching. “I feel I have new teaching strategies that I learned from other educators as well as a much broader and deeper knowledge of the resources that are available to me as an educator. I also learned something new about nature at almost every workshop or site visit!”

She says the program also changed the way she views environmental issues. “I definitely feel more connected to the environmental community after participating in the program. I know that I am not fighting these issues alone even though the news and our country makes it seem that way sometimes. I know that I have a network of environmental educators and scientists standing with me.”

Educator Spotlight: Kristin McMinds

Kristin McMinds, a homeschooling mom, recently completed the NC Environmental Education Certification program. Kristin has a background in education and has worked in public and private schools and in nonformal education. “Currently, I'm a homeschooling mom and also caretaker. Because I spend a lot of time caring for others, being outside in nature is one of the ways I recharge my batteries. As a family, we love traveling, camping, and we are big supporters and appreciators of all the arts.”

Kristin says her favorite part of earning her certification was the skill building and networking through workshops at the Kathleen Clay Library in Greensboro. “I have always been drawn to nature-based learning, but I lacked the direction, knowledge and tools to know how to turn that interest into something more meaningful. I am incredibly grateful for all of the environmental education programs offered through the library. What began simply as a way to spend time outdoors with my son ultimately opened up a new path for me. I really enjoyed connecting with other like-minded people who shared my curiosity and appreciation for nature. At many of the workshops, I found myself feeling like a little kid again: excited to explore, ask questions, and discover something new.”

When asked what certification experience stands out to her, it was finding a new family member at one of the workshops. “I was attending a Project Learning Tree workshop in November of 2021. The class was held outside at the Kathleen Clay Library due to Covid restrictions at that time. There was a little, stray kitten that attached itself to our group for the entirety of the day. He followed us around mewing for hours but would not let anyone touch him before scampering away. We recognized that he would not make it on his own and needed to be rescued, which was no easy task considering his timid nature. Melanie Buckingham and I finally succeeded in luring him inside and gently capturing him. That cat is now part of my family! We had to give him a literary name, so he is affectionately called Hemi for Ernest Hemingway.”

For her community partnership project, she worked with homeschooling groups to turn recycled materials into works of art. “Working with students from our local homeschool co-op, the project introduces students to the importance of recycling, reusing materials and caring for the environment through hands-on art classes. Students will create artwork using recycled and repurposed materials while learning about environmental responsibility and sustainable practices. The project will conclude with a small art exhibition showcasing the students’ creations in the atrium gallery at the Greensboro Cultural Center in the spring of 2027. The expo will provide an opportunity for students to share their work with the community and encourage others to see the creative possibilities of materials that might otherwise be discarded.”

Kristin says the program changed her approach to teaching.  “I have learned to be more flexible in my approach to environmental education and to follow children’s natural curiosity. Specifically, this has helped me in teaching my son. Rather than focusing solely on delivering a planned lesson, I now pay closer attention to the student's questions, observations and interests and let these drive conversations and lessons. This has helped me create more engaging, child-centered experiences that foster a deeper connection with nature.”

She says it also changed the way she views environmental issues. “I approach environmental issues less from the perspective of advocating for specific policies and more from the goal of nurturing a child's curiosity, appreciation and connection to the natural world. When children develop a genuine appreciation for their environment, they are more likely to value it and naturally will want to care for and protect it.”

Educator Spotlight: Tiffany Brocco

Tiffany Brocco, a garden educator at the JC Raulston Arboretum, has completed her NC Environmental Education Certification.

Tiffany has been working at the arboretum for almost two years and says she was fortunate to be able to use work time to pursue her certification. “Currently, my role includes coordinating, planning and leading weekend education experiences from family and Girl Scout programs to all-ages drop-in programming.”

Tiffany says her favorite part of earning her certification was having the opportunity to travel to different parts of North Carolina to attend workshops. “I moved back to the Raleigh area for my current job and even getting to go to different parks and nature preserves for the first time, despite having lived in Raleigh throughout college, was such an eye-opener for me. It was fun to explore the different nature spaces while connecting with other educators and nature-enthusiasts.”

When asked about an experience that stood out to her, Tiffany says it was the recent “BEETLES - Science and Teaching for Field Instruction” workshop she attended with Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. “A fellow educator recommended BEETLES to me previously and when I saw this free workshop being hosted, I was so excited! I found the workshop valuable because it provided a space to connect with other educators to learn more about how they encourage observation and discussion in their educational settings.’

For her community partnership project, Tiffany partnered with ecoEXPLORE to host a Bioblitz at the JC Raulston Arboretum as part of the 2026 City Nature Challenge. “As part of the partnership, ecoEXPLORE provided resources to help promote their programming, which incentivizes kids to get out in nature through badges and prizes. The event was hosted as a drop-in style program and it helped to spread the word about ecoEXPLORE, as well as the City Nature Challenge. It provided folks who were visiting the arboretum with a sort of bonus experience to collect real scientific data while strolling the gardens.”

Tiffany says the program changed her approach to teaching. “I really appreciated all of the opportunities I had to connect with educators and learners of all kinds through workshops and outdoor experiences. By connecting with educators, I was able to think about things through a different perspective and pick up new techniques or ways of explaining things that I hadn't thought of before. By connecting with learners, I enjoyed getting to hear about the topics they were interested in or wanted to learn more about. This not only gave me ideas for programs that I could potentially plan but also reminded me of the many ways that people connect with nature.”

She says the program also changed the way she views environmental issues. "After participating in the certification program, I've thought more deeply about the "education not advocacy" lens. With all of the information available to us nowadays, it's becoming increasingly important to remind learners and ourselves to think critically about the information they consume and the source it comes from. This perspective has encouraged me to think more about how I teach others and the language that I use when doing so.”

Educator Spotlight: Michelle Malalang

Michelle Malalang, an education specialist with Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, has completed the NC Environmental Education Certification.

Michelle develops and administers the Wild Watch program, a series of outreach programs for 1^st, 3^rd and 5^th graders that promotes environmental literacy within the framework of the NC State Standards. “Wild Watch is a hybrid of formal and informal teaching, using the BEETLES approach to learning with student led, hands-on experiences both indoors and outside. Being the education specialist for Grandfather combines two of my passions, education and nature, into one rewarding career. My hobbies include always biting off more than I can chew, making life harder (and sweeter) by acquiring domestic and farmyard animals, forever modifying programs because I never stop reading and searching for more information or better ways of engaging students, developing my newfound ability to draw so I can avoid doing housework. I also continually encourage my adult children to expand their world with new experiences, the acquisition of knowledge instead of things, involvement in social and civic organizations and to pull the plug on the isolation of electronic dependency and plug into the real world by making meaningful relationships with people around them.”

Michelle says her favorite part of earning her certification was the networking. “This vast web of like-minded educators and nature-loving citizens that form a partnership connecting people and places across the ecosystems of North Carolina gave me the confidence to teach environmental education. I love being part of this ‘Wood Wide Web’ of ethical and caring folk who create symbiotic alliances with schools, organizations and groups to further our common goal of conservation. Meeting and maintaining the relationships made in workshops gives me hope that we can hold the line against the destruction of the natural world by being the guiding light in the darkness. It is exactly this hope that is needed to keep growing the network of environmentally literate global citizens, and continue to weave, thread by thread, the net that will catch and heal what has been harmed.”

When asked about an experience that stood out to her, Michelle says it was a workshop taught by now retired education specialist for NC State Parks, Brian Bockhahn. “His lesson was my aha moment. Prior to taking his workshop, I was struggling with how to teach informally. Twenty years of my professional life was as a formal educator in an elementary school. I knew how to effectively teach this way, in this type of setting--but how do I teach a science standard outside in nature, in less than 60 minutes to young learners who I don’t see on a regular basis? How do I assess them for understanding and capture data on the effectiveness of my lesson? Brian gave me tools that unlocked my understanding of environmental education, a subject I never knew existed before moving from Florida to North Carolina. I have only wonder and admiration for EE and the desire to be the best environmental educator I can be, but I didn't know how to take off the formal hat and put on the informal one. Being able to connect with nature through our senses is a powerful way to discovery and peace-- learning to model how to do that for others, is a gift Brain gave to us to share. His lessons taught me how to let go of my anxiety over cramming facts and forcing learning on students so they can generate high test scores that would boost the school grades and my annual year end evaluation. Instead, I began to understand that providing an opportunity to explore, discover, and be curious is essential work. To provide encounters that prompted questions and wonder, is a springboard for children to develop deep, personal connections to nature. This core experience would, in time, inspire them to protect the world they've come to love. This workshop was both an eye and door opener for me. I'd been hitting a wall with my transition to an informal, environmental educator because the baggage I lugged around as a public-school teacher blinded me. The relaxed, playful approach I learned that day influences my current teaching style; it gave me the permission and the freedom to delight in approaching nature with a sense of wonder.

Michelle’s community partnership project combined reading literacy with environmental literacy at Grandfather Glows by employing fireflies as ambassadors. “Their other name, lightning bugs, describes the goal of my partnership. My objective was to ignite the love of nature by sparking a curiosity in young minds—a curiosity destined to light a fire of conscientious conservation and lifelong learning. By providing a space geared for elementary age children that promoted the theme of Grandfather Glows, I gave them an area to relax into learning with a low key, experiential approach. Children had a choice of how they wanted to engage with the materials presented and for how long. The ‘Larva Lounge’ kindled questions, provoked answers, and invited ideas;  behaviors that are goals of environmental education and teachers everywhere. Connecting with children by creating space for them at adult-centered events lets the up-and-coming generation know they matter. It shows children they are an important part of the world and empowers them to make it a better place in small and big ways.

When individuals understand the value of fireflies and the peril many species face due to habitat loss and light pollution; our hope is that they will unite to create communities galvanized to save these silent sparks.”

Michelle says participating in the program changed her approach to teaching. “I have more confidence in what I teach and how I teach it. I have been able to release my need to be in control of every second and every interaction to produce data and test scores that have zero meaning to the child. I am finally able to let go of these external requirements and stressors and instead focus on truly being a guide to children, modeling joy and curiosity about learning. Since I am no longer hamstringed by a system mired in generating an overabundance of data, I can immerse myself and my students into experiencing the natural world which grounds us, heals us, and is an endless source of awe.”

Michelle says she still worries about environmental issues, but she is a cautiously hopeful pessimist. “All the valuable lessons I learned during the certification process kept my head above the dark waters of the present. As long as I focus on the process, the mission, and the vision of EE, it keeps me from despair,  If I concentrate on planting seeds of awareness, and instill confidence in their abilities, the children I teach will blossom into civically engaged citizens of a global community. The knowledge I gained in environmental education, and the people I met on my journey to certification, is the lifeline I needed to keep my optimism for the future alive."

Educator Spotlight: Stephanie Willis

Stephanie Willis, a docent and volunteer from Guilford County completed her NC Environmental Education Certification.

Stephanie volunteers with local organizations including the Piedmont Land Conservancy, Haw River Assembly, Piedmont Bird Club, NC Herpetology Society and the Greensboro Science Center. “I love being outside - hiking, camping, observing and identifying plants, animals, fungi and slime molds. I love traveling, cooking, arts and crafts, and listening to music. I've got twenty-plus years of work history with Greensboro nonprofits, working in refugee resettlement and services for immigrants and refugees, supporting AmeriCorps programs, and in HIV prevention and care services. Currently, I'm the Program Evaluation and Operations Coordinator for Family Support Network of Central Carolina.”

Stephanie says her favorite part of earning her certification was the outdoor experiences. “I loved having the opportunity to be outdoors learning about nature and the environment with experts and other like-minded people. The instructional workshop experiences were great too! I learned a lot about the field of environmental education that I never knew about and met a lot of cool people.”

When asked about a certification experience that stood out to her, Stephanie says it was outdoor experience at Ridges Mountain with a group of Northwest Piedmont Master Naturalist Volunteer students learning about the areas’ ecology and ecosystems, wildlife, plant communities and land conservation efforts. “We hiked the mountain, explored, shared observations with one another, and at the top of a path near an overlook, many of us heard and then saw an Eastern whip-poor-will. I’d never seen one before. It was really special. This outdoor learning was a powerful experience, much more powerful than if I had attended a lecture or a presentation. Direct connection with nature and learning through experience is so much more likely to motivate involvement to address environmental issues and take action.”

For her community partnership project,  Stephanie is co-coordinating a reptile and amphibian event in April 2027 with the City of Greensboro Parks and Recreation department, the Miriam P. Brenner Children's Museum, the NC Herpetological Society and the NC Partnership for Reptile and Amphibian Conservation. “I expect the event to achieve the goals of providing an opportunity for community members to interact with and learn more about reptiles and amphibians, especially native animals, and their ecosystems. My hope is that other community organizations and projects are highlighted and that everyone involved will have a fun, memorable experience that may lead to future action and engagement that supports the care and protection of these animals.”

Stephanie says the program changed her approach to teaching. “I used to feel like my role in leading an environmental education experience was to present and convey information or to be present to deliver facts to an audience that was interested in a topic. I've learned how important it is for my role to be more of a guide for participants' experiences, with specific learning goals in mind, but where participants are actively engaged, encouraged to explore and make observations, ask their own questions, and arrive at their own understandings. I always initiate my interactions in an environmental education setting with a question now. I use open-ended, inquiry-based questions. ‘What do you notice? What does it remind you of? What do you wonder? Tell me more about that.’ The Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Environmental Education workshop has changed my thinking forever. Now, I always notice how environmental opportunities for people are inclusive and accessible, or how they aren’t.”

She also says the program changed the way she views environmental issues. “I have been heartened to know that there are so many educators who have pursued this certification and who are integrating environmental education into their curricula for the benefit of their students and our world. I hope generations of students are able to increase their awareness and knowledge of environmental issues, develop the skills needed to recognize and solve our problems and to take action to address environmental issues.”

 

Educator Spotlight - Susanna Mcllwaine

Susanna Mcllwaine, a nonformal educator in Orange County, recently completed the NC Environmental Education program.

Susanna teaches after-school and summer camps for students in grades 1^st through 8^th on nature and the environment. "I love the challenge of meeting their knowledge and skills and helping them connect the dots to a bigger picture, or a closer view."

She also volunteers as a hike leader for Triangle Land Conservancy, and in invasive removal, trail work and conservation with the NC Botanical Garden, RewildNC and the NC National Wildlife Federation. Susanna's Master Naturalist project involves hands-on experimentation with small-scale habitat restoration: adopting an "Oasis"  at Brumley Nature Preserve and learning to rewild an area left bare by utility line tree work. "What I learned in the program informs my choices, guides deeper learning and inspires me to persist despite discouragement and obstacles. Building on decades of teaching all ages, facilitation, civic engagement, food systems and green infrastructure, I am also excited to see how skills I learned are opening up ideas for new collaborations in these areas."

Susanna says her favorite part of the program was traveling through the state. “I enjoyed getting to know people of many ages, backgrounds and jobs all sharing the love of nature and the environment and the joy of learning together.”

When asked about an experience that stood out to her, Susanna says it was the Investigating Your Environment workshop offered by the NC Forest Service. “I loved having time to process the learning, to enjoy field trips and hikes and getting to know so many people.”

For her community partnership project, Susanna created materials to provide background information on local history and ecology for hikers and hike leaders at the Triangle Land Conservancy’s nature preserves. “I consulted with fellow hikers, trainees and trail guides about topics of interest to them and resources they knew of.  My project pulls together hard-to-find information in a visually attractive format that informs and inspires. My intention is to raise both detailed and holistic awareness of the meaning of what people see when they hike these trails, bring in a little data, and let people follow their imagination to learn and explore more. I also hope to shine a light on the value of conservation of natural areas for ecological, educational and historical reasons.”

Susanna says the certification program changed her approach to teaching. “I learned so much from every leader and presenter I met. The Methods of Teaching Environmental Education workshop was very helpful in synthesizing good teaching practice with the goals of environmental education. The Investigating Your Environment workshop forever changed my teaching practice by showing me how to use exploration, direct experience and data to achieve a student experience that is meaningful with deep understanding and practical application to environmental decisions. I am exploring collaborations to apply skills learned in the certification program to my experience in facilitation, civic engagement, food systems and natural systems." 

When asked if the program changed the way she views environmental issues, Susanna said she is so much more aware of after completing the program. “The classes were rigorous, with some of the best scientists and educators in their fields. I am more aware of the urgency of environmental education for the sake of conservation and human health and wellbeing.”

Educator Spotlight: Elizabeth Warfield

Elizabeth Warfield, an educator at Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, completed her NC Environmental Education Certification.

Elizabeth provides educational programming and is also a group coordinator at Grandfather Mountain. “I get the chance to work with people doing environmental education as well as help groups plan their programming and schedules for their visit. I get to work in the woods, with animals, and at the top of a mountain, which is a truly phenomenal experience.”

Elizabeth says her favorite part of earning her certification was the career growth and networking. She credits the program with helping her find a job. “The program gave me the opportunity to expand the professional development in my career path, and I made so many wonderful  connections. I never thought environmental education would be my career path until I started working at Grandfather Mountain and started this certification. Ever since diving headfirst into environmental education, I fell in love with it and I knew this is exactly where I want to be.”

When asked about an experience in the program that stood out to her, Elizabeth says it was the NC Forest Service’s Investigating Your Environment workshop. “The workshop was an enriching and educational experience. I truly loved the site visits because they gave me the courage to go out and adventure at other facilities on my own and to learn what other places are doing with their education and interpretation programming.”

For her community partnership project, Elizabeth coordinated a Youth Climate Summit at Grandfather Mountain for middle and high school students. Elizabeth partnered middle and high schools in Western North Carolina and with the Wild Center, a natural history center near the center of New York state’s Adirondack Park. Brad Panovich, the chief meteorologist for WCNC-TV in Charlotte was the keynote speaker. “The summit gave students an opportunity to expand their passion for caring for the environment, to meet friends who shared their same concerns and to work on making an impact in their communities.”

Elizabeth says the certification  program changed her approach to teaching. “I learned how to lead with more open mindedness and broad concepts to let students really explore every possibility that the environment has to offer. I have also become more experienced in program development and pivoting on a dime. I have become more adaptable than before when trying to make programs work for my groups.”

She says the program also changed the way she views environmental issues. “I feel so much more hope towards the environment and that even when the world may be making poor choices to protect our environment, there a tremendous amount of people that care and want to learn more about how they can make a difference and that is beautiful to me. I used to feel more doom and gloom about the state of the environment when I was doing research but in education I feel more inspired because I get to be on the team of people encouraging hope into the next generation and I have truly benefited emotionally from that.”

Educator Spotlight: Cassandra Johnson

Cassandra Johnson, a Schools in Parks Specialist at Pilot Mountain State Park completed her NC Environmental Education Certification. Cassandra says her position allows her to help keep the park a wild and wonderful place while pursuing her passion for outdoor education.

Originally from Virgina, Cassandra has spent a decade in North Carolina and now shares her enthusiasm for the state’s geology, weather, birds and storytelling with park visitors. “As one of the eight Schools in Parks Specialists in the state my job can include natural resource work like trail maintenance, treating invasives, and prescribed burns as well a lot of work creating education opportunities. I get to create new programs like my favorite, Rock Scavenger Hunt, and help lead programs for thousands of people all year. My role also allows me to work one-on-one with a group of teachers each year as the Schools in Parks Program includes a year-long teacher training opportunity for a handful of lucky teachers. When I'm off the clock you can find me rollerblading, flying kites, cooking vegan treats, and at a hockey game (Go Canes)!”

Cassandra says her favorite part of the program was the networking and traveling to new places in North Carolina. “I really loved the opportunity to get to see different parts of the state, get inspired by other educators and truly have fun learning outdoors with others! So often, I'm the one teaching so it was incredibly helpful to get to step back and be the student and learn from so many wonderful and knowledge people.”

When asked about a certification experience that stands out to her, Cassandra says she had two favorite experiences. “I loved being able to be outdoors and working hands-on with other outdoor educators and seeing myself start off with no experience and walk away feeling like I really gained a new skill. I attended an advanced interpretive training workshop  on butterflies and struggled to keep up - juggling field guides as the pros called off species without a second look. This past month I attended my second workshop and was amazed at how much more confidence and skill I had picked up with identifying our local butterflies. I also loved just setting the goal to do nothing but get out and explore especially outside your own backyard!”

For her community partnership project, Cassandra worked with several local organizations to host an event called RaptorFest at Pilot Mountain State Park. This event is all about counting migrating raptor species as they pass by, learning why these birds are important and the conservation efforts in place to protect them and just building excitement around getting to see and experience the migration! We had three partners: Owls Roost Wildlife Education, Charles H. Stone Memorial Library, Forsyth Audubon and together we developed family friendly games and activities, counted birds for the official database, created opportunities for participants to meet live ambassador birds, and encouraged people of all ages excited to look for these migrating hawks. Our efforts to get people interested in the annual migration has definitely been a success. With this event we've had people excited to walk away now knowing the migration passes right over them. Many people experienced bird watching for the first time in their life and learned tell different species of hawk apart while being within a foot of a live hawk! The first year we ran the program 300 participants attended, and we can't wait to see it further grow!”

When asked if the program changed her approach to teaching, Cassandra says it encouraged her to create more time for enjoying a space when she is leading a program. “I teach in state parks surrounded by amazing views and exciting plants and animals. Slowing down and allowing for more exploration during programs gives me time to process throughout the day and to create one-on-one connections, something I have brought back to my teaching style thanks to getting to see it modeled by others during workshops.”

Cassandra also says the program changed the way she views environmental issues. “The certification process made me feel more hopeful about several environmental issues that I traditionally glossed over when teaching because it felt like I had nothing positive to say on the subject. Participating in citizen science efforts, getting more in-depth perspectives and experiencing conservation-minded workshops and opportunities made me overall more hopeful, informed and excited to educate others.”

Educator Spotlight: Michelle Beasley

Michelle Beasley, an Environmental Specialist with the Division of Energy, Mineral and Land Resources in the NC Department of Environmental Quality recently completed her Environmental Education Certification. 

Michelle works in the post construction stormwater program in the department’s Wilmington Regional Office, but she began pursuing her certification before starting her current position. “I was very involved with a local nonprofit that supports two state parks and became interested in pursuing additional education at NC State University and certifications to assist with my nonprofit work.” 

Michelle has two undergraduate degrees from NC State, a Bachelor of Arts in Leadership in the Public Sector (with minors in Agribusiness Management, Biological Science and Science, Technology and Society) and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences (with minors in Science Communication and Environmental Education). “I love to learn and would love to advance my education even further in the near future.”

Although Michelle currently reviews stormwater applications and permits, she hopes the environmental education certification will benefit her in the future. “I can see the certification being of great benefit in the future, if I to decide to change my career path and move into a more public facing, educational role. In my free time, I love to spend time with my daughter and my dog! I also greatly enjoy exploring local city, county and state parks as well as spending as much time as possible enjoying the coast!”

Michelle says her favorite part of earning her certification was taking in-person workshops. “Not only did I enjoy the content of these workshops, but it also provided the opportunity to meet training staff as well as other participants from a diverse professional background. I was pursuing certification as a personal goal, but it was fantastic to meet formal educators who were pursuing certification to assist with STEM/STEAM education within the classroom. It was also my first introduction to state mandated curriculum guidelines that needed to be met. I also had the opportunity to meet other public sector professionals from city, county and state government agencies. The NC-EE certification process played a huge factor in my decision to return to NC State to pursue a degree in Environmental Sciences.”

When asked about her favorite experience, Michelle says there were so many. “I really love entomology and herpetology, so these types of workshops always made a very big impact on me. However, workshops like the birding ID workshop, a skill I had never practiced or appreciated prior to the workshop, provided exposure to new and exciting facets of the nature that surrounds me. If I had to pick one, single experience though, I guess it would have to be the Sea Turtle Exploration Workshop at NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher. Meeting Shelldon, the green sea turtle, made quite an impression!”

For her community partnership project, Michelle created a walking tour of downtown Wilmington for the National Association for Interpretation’s Certified Interpretive Guiding course. On the third day of the training, Michelle led participants through 14 stops of historical, natural and cultural relevance throughout downtown Wilmington. “The training course provided instruction on the history, definition and principles of interpretation as well as how to use tangible objects to connect participants to intangible and/or universal concepts. The walking tour was tasked with providing both a literal demonstration of the training material as well as a natural, historical and cultural references to the location of the walking tour.”

When asked if the program changed her approach to teaching, Michelle says she took for granted the amount of work that goes on behind the scenes of educational programming. “The amount of planning, research and education that goes into an event plus the amount of work in tracking feedback and suggestions from participants after the event, is now so much more obvious to me. This is just one example of how the certification program helped me to understand the literal, more tangible “bigger picture” of environmental education regarding time, effort and resources. The certification program also allowed me to see intangibles, exposing the principles below the surface level of the topic/activity that planted seeds of knowledge and advocacy that will continue to grow and evolve much more into the future.”

Educator Spotlight: Sarah Gleason

Sarah Gleason, an environmental educator and systems specialist at The NC Arboretum, recently completed her NC Environmental Education Certification.

In her role at the arboretum, Sarah facilitates environmental education programs for students ages 2 - 14 on topics such as wildlife, stream ecology, soil, weather and more. “When I am not facilitating programs, I am behind the computer helping participants register for programs, promoting our programs through website updates and flyers, or developing and adapting curriculum.  Outside of work my favorite thing to do is be outdoors. I love gardening, hiking, and looking for animals big and small!”

Sarah says she thinks the program will have a huge impact on wherever she takes her career next. “The program has opened my eyes to the vastness of the environmental education field, helped me make connections across the state and strengthened my skillset.” She also says this was her favorite part of earning her certification. “My favorite part of this certification is how it embedded me into the world of environmental education in Western North Carolina in a way that I don't think I could have done on my own. Despite working in the field and going to conferences with my job, there is a level of knowledge and basic understanding of other environmental education organizations across the state that I wouldn't have had. I feel as though completing this certification has given me a greater understanding of how environmental education works statewide and made me feel more a part of the larger goal.”

When asked which certification experience stood out to her, Sarah says it was the Project Learning Tree workshop she took at the Western NC Nature Center. “I absolutely loved how hands on the workshop was. Rather than talking about all of the activities, we did as many as we could fit into the class time and authentically did them. It lead to more in-depth debriefs about why the original format works, doesn't work, how we could alter it. I walked away with a greater understanding of how to approach a lesson plan, analyze it and adapt it to my audience.”

For her community partnership program, Sarah took over The North Carolina Arboretum's partnership with Kids in Parks to get the Track Trail program running again. “I ensured that information was accurate, Kids in Parks was involved in Arboretum events and materials were accessible to visitors of The Arboretum. This provided a consistent and free invitation for kids and families to interact with nature in an educational way.”

Sarah says the program changed her approach to teaching. “I now approach teaching with the knowledge that every single student and teacher is coming with a different background, set of skills and barriers to learning. When I started adapting programing to meet more learning styles, I noticed how effective my teaching was and noticed a greater participation level across students. I am continuously looking for ways to make my teaching styles more approachable and accessible. I hope to keep learning and changing the way I teach to make environmental education truly for everyone.”

Sarah says her views on environmental issues has changed. “I find myself thinking a lot more about funding. I always recognized that money played a role in environmental issues and the approach to fix them, but I don't think I understood how impactful funding was on a micro scale. Every environmental education organization is dealing with funding challenges, and it feels that we are being fought against, while being told that the work we are doing is "so needed and important." It is a huge challenge and a very frustrating part of environmental education and environmental issues as a whole.”