Educator Spotlight: Christine Biela

Christine Biela, a teacher at Stuart W. Cramer High School in Gaston County, recently completed her NC Environmental Education Certification. “I teach Earth and Environmental Science, North Carolina Wildlife, AP Environmental Science and Honors Forensics. I love creating hands-on, place-based learning experiences that connect my students with the natural world and help them understand how science applies to their everyday lives.”

Christine says the certification program advanced her career by helping prepare her for a successful career transition into secondary science teaching. “The program allowed me to become very familiar with North Carolina ecosystems, wildlife and community science programs, all of which I have been able to integrate regularly into my classroom.”

Christine says her favorite part of earning her certification was learning about the different ecosystems and biodiversity of North Carolina. “Because I had only recently moved to North Carolina, the certification program helped me discover the incredible natural resources, wildlife and conservation organizations that make North Carolina so unique. I also appreciated how practical the workshops were, giving me activities and resources that I could immediately bring back to use with my students.”

When asked what certification experience stands out for her, Christine says it was the site visits and programs. “Visiting so many incredible environmental education sites across North Carolina and participating in community science programs—like Terrapin Tally, NABat and Box Turtle Connection—were the most memorable parts of the EE certification program. It was inspiring to learn directly from people working in the field and to see the wide variety of organizations dedicated to local conservation, research, and education.”

For her community partnership project, she partnered with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Stevens Creek Nature Center and Catawba Riverkeeper to develop an educational workshop centered on water quality and conservation of Charlotte’s endangered freshwater mussel, the Carolina heelsplitter. “The program introduced participants to the importance of native freshwater mussels, their role in maintaining clean water and actions individuals can take to help protect local watersheds. My goal was to help participants recognize that even lesser-known endangered species play an important role in healthy ecosystems, and that local conservation begins with understanding our own watersheds.”

Christine says the certification program changed her approach to teaching. “The certification program reinforced the importance of place-based and experiential  learning. Rather than simply teaching environmental concepts, I now place an even greater emphasis on helping students build meaningful connections with the natural world through local examples, outdoor experiences and community partnerships. The program also introduced me to many outstanding environmental education resources that I continue to incorporate into my classroom each year.

Christine also says the program changed the way she thinks about environmental issues.  “While I always knew that local and place-based environmental education was important, the certification program helped me appreciate how many opportunities there are across North Carolina to connect students with conservation efforts happening in their own communities. The program also gave me a much deeper appreciation for the state’s extraordinary biodiversity, and I now share that excitement with my students. They are often amazed to learn that North Carolina is home to the only wild population of endangered red wolves and the greatest diversity of salamanders anywhere in the world. It helps them realize that globally significant conservation isn't something that only happens somewhere else—it happens right here in our own state. The program reinforced that environmental issues can sometimes feel overwhelming on a global scale, but local stewardship and community partnerships allow students to see that their actions can make a meaningful difference. It also deepened my appreciation for the many agencies, nonprofits and educators working together across North Carolina to protect our state's natural resources.”

Educator Spotlight: Cristal Lugo

Cristal Lugo, an elementary school teacher, recently completed her NC Environmental Education Certification. Cristal teaches English as a Second Language at Sycamore Creek Elementary School in Wake County. “I teach English to multilingual students in kindergarten through 5th grade. My hobbies include visiting museums, traveling, collecting cancellation stamps from national parks, reading non-fiction history books and wearing different fashion styles.”

When asked about her favorite part of completing the certification program, Cristal said it was discovering so many meaningful, hands-on ways to help her students develop English, grade-level content knowledge and academic vocabulary at the same time. “As an ESL teacher, one of my primary responsibilities is pre-teaching the academic vocabulary and content my students will encounter in English Language Arts, science and social studies. My goal is for them to walk into their classrooms feeling confident, understanding what they are learning, and actively participating alongside their peers. The workshops I attended provided me with an incredible collection of lessons, resources and outdoor learning experiences that made this possible.

Many of Wake County Public Schools' elementary ELA units focus on environmental topics, and Cristal says allowing students to explore those concepts through hands-on experiences both inside and outside the classroom significantly strengthened their vocabulary development and reading comprehension. “Through nature journaling, investigations, discussions and collaborative experiments, my students practiced using both social and academic language in English while also drawing on their home languages to deepen their understanding. These experiences created a welcoming, low-stress environment where students felt comfortable taking risks, asking questions, making mistakes and learning from one another. One of the most rewarding outcomes was watching my English learners become leaders. Because they had already experienced the content through hands-on learning, they entered their general education classrooms with confidence and were often able to contribute ideas, answer questions and support their classmates. Earning this certification has transformed my teaching by giving me practical strategies that not only deepen learning but also empower my students to succeed academically.”

For her community partnership project, Cristal collaborated with the art and technology teachers at her school for an annual art and science night. “I partnered with 12 local organizations that aligned with our students’ science and ELA curriculum to provide hands-on learning experiences focused on topics such as wildlife, conservation, natural resources, sustainability and environmental science. Like many schools, some of our students and families face barriers such as transportation, time constraints and the need to take additional time off to provide these types of experiences for their children. By bringing these organizations directly to our school, we increased equitable access to environmental education opportunities. This project strengthened community connections while giving all of our students and families meaningful opportunities to learn from local experts through engaging, real-world experiences.

When asked if the program led to changes in her approach to teaching, Cristal says it showed her the power of creating learning environments that served as a “second teacher.” “Visiting so many museums, state parks, nature preserves and educational facilities allowed me to see how interactive displays can make learning engaging, meaningful and accessible for all learners. These experiences inspired me to transform my own classroom by incorporating more interactive displays and opportunities for exploration that encourage student curiosity and connection to the content. I hope to continue expanding this vision beyond my classroom by creating more interactive learning spaces throughout our school, including hallways and outdoor areas. My goal and hope is to help make our entire school environment a place where students can learn, explore and develop a deeper appreciation for the world around them.”

Cristal says the program changed the way she views environmental issues. “What has changed my perspective the most through this certification program is the opportunity to connect with so many people who are deeply passionate about the environment and environmental education. Seeing so many educators, organizations and community members working to protect our environment and promote the common good by empowering others with the knowledge and skills to become environmental stewards has given me hope. This program has reminded me that meaningful change is possible when people come together to educate, advocate and act. It brings me hope for my own children, for my students and for the future of our planet.”

Educator Spotlight: Stacy Darwin

Stacy Darwin, a public school librarian with Abbotts Creek Elementary School in Wake County, recently completed her NC Environmental Education Certification. “I have been a librarian for the last 14 years and in my spare time I love to travel, hike, and explore countless hobbies. I have two young adult children that also keep me busy and active.”

Stacy went through the program with a cohort of public school librarians. "Krista Brinchek, a science teacher at our school, had the genius idea of creating and supporting a cohort of school librarians. We call it L.E.E.F. - Librarians as Environmental Education Facilitators. This original cohort has elementary, middle, and high school represented through myself, Erica Flory, Evelyn Bussell, and Tammy Weller. As librarians, we are the curators and collaborators of all things curriculum. Combining wonder, curiosity, and critical thinking is the backbone of what we do every day. We reach a significant number of students in our unique positions while also supporting teachers with resources. We can also work with administrators to provide additional professional development for teachers on how environmental education can support the new science standards. The cohort has been a wonderful way for us to network and see the connections from kindergarten through 12th grade. I value the friendships I have made with these inspirational women."

When asked about her favorite part of the certification program, Stacy says it was learning about NC’s environment. “I'm a native Texan and taught in Tucson, Arizona, for four years. I was having a difficult time gaining the amount of knowledge I had about those environments here in North Carolina. I love being able to share fun facts with students, family and friends. This experience has made me more aware of the uniqueness of our state and how I can play a role in protecting it.”

Stacy says the experience in the program that stood out to her was the “Got Elk?” program. “I learned so much at the workshop, and I really pushed myself to experience more than I would have on my own. I had no idea I would become so excited about snails and lichen while also observing the beautiful elk!”

For her community partnership project, Stacy worked with a fellow certification candidate, Jen Muttillo, to research, write and record eBooks for first grade students so they could access age-appropriate nonfiction material about the plants of North Carolina. “I have witnessed our students use these books during research for past two springs and it is encouraging to see students empowered to interact with text that is on their levels. I also got wonderful feedback from our first-grade team.”

When asked if the program led to changes in her approach to teaching, Stacy said it made her more comfortable teaching outdoors. “I enjoyed outdoor learning being modeled by so many different instructors. I eased my fears in taking students outside to learn and has really encouraged me to share information with other teachers!”

Educator Spotlight: Stacy De Witte

Stacy De Witte, a retired NC middle school science and math teacher, recently completed her NC Environmental Education Certification. Stacy says the program helped her start and “encore” or post-retirement career. “I currently work part-time with Piedmont Environmental Alliance as one of their Environmental Educators. For the majority of my job, I go into middle and high school science classrooms to share programming about environmental issues and ways that students can participate in stewardship.”

Stacy says her favorite part of the program was collaborating with other educators around the state – both in the classes and during her final project. She says one workshop was the certification experience that really stood out to her. “I took Project WET (Water Education for Today) in Durham for three days through the City of Durham Stormwater Division. That was probably my favorite workshop of all the experiences to date. It was so well-run and organized. I made the decision to get my Project WET training to be a facilitator at that point and followed through this past February.”

For her community partnership program, Stacy created water education backpacks for teachers, scout leaders and environmental educators to check out. “The water exploration bag project engaged community members by bringing together educators, environmental organizations, local government and the public library to create a shared resource that supports environmental education throughout Forsyth County. Representatives from the City of Winston-Salem Stormwater Division, Piedmont Environmental Alliance, and the Forsyth County Public Library collaborated to develop, fund, promote, and distribute the backpacks. The bags have already been used by more than 100 students this summer at Kaleideum and Reynolda Gardens summer camps. Students have been so excited to get out in the creeks and streams in the community to see what kind of diversity lives in their waterways.”

When asked if the program led to changes in her approach to teaching, Stacy says it expanded her reach from the classroom to outdoor camps and other organizations. “The program helped me see beyond the classroom and helped other educators incorporate much of what I learned in the different workshops. I’m hoping to extend this knowledge by being a Project WET facilitator.”

Educator Spotlight: Savannah Lytle

Savannah Lytle, the Southwestern Watershed Outreach Coordinator for MountainTrue recently completed her NC Environmental Education Certification. In her role at MountainTrue, Savannah works directly with the region’s water quality programs, including Adopt-A-Stream, microplastics monitoring, and the Swim Guide in addition to other education programs. “I lead education and outreach programs that help connect communities with local environmental issues and conservation efforts. Outside of work, I enjoy reading, developing my naturalist skills, and spending time outside hiking, backpacking and paddling. I also love baking, crafting and exploring new places with my husband.”

Savannah says her favorite part of certification was participating in the guided outdoor experiences. “These experiences gave me the opportunity to explore and learn about North Carolina's natural environment firsthand. Through a variety of trainings, I developed a deeper appreciation for everything ranging from mosses to insects. From the coast to the Southern Appalachians, North Carolina is an incredibly diverse and beautiful state, and these experiences helped me see and appreciate that diversity in new ways.”

When asked what experience in the program stood out to her, Savannah says it was participating in a variety of instructional workshops. “The workshops challenged the way I plan environmental education lessons and introduced me to new strategies for making them more engaging and effective. In particular, the Universal Design for Learning training changed the way I approach lesson planning. I now intentionally incorporate accessibility considerations into all of my environmental education lessons, so they are more inclusive for every learner.”

For her community partnership project, she collaborated with the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher and Cape Fear’s Going Green Magazine to host Wilmington's first community science festival. “The festival created a central place for community members to learn about local community science projects directly from the organizations that lead and support them. Attendees could explore volunteer opportunities, learn how project data is being collected and used, receive information about required training and connect with project leaders to ask questions. By increasing awareness and participation, the festival aimed to expand volunteer recruitment, strengthen community engagement and broaden the reach of local environmental monitoring efforts.”

Savannah says the program changed her approach to teaching in many ways. “One of the biggest ways is that I now better understand developmental stages when I work with various age groups and am able to better tailor my lesson plans to meet their developmental needs and keep students engaged. Additionally, I have a stronger understanding of the importance of evaluation and assessment, recognizing that they can be used in a variety of ways to measure program effectiveness and improve educational programs.”

She says the program also changed the way she views environmental issues. “I now have a much better understanding of the difference between environmental education and environmental advocacy. I appreciate that environmental education is about helping people explore environmental issues from multiple perspectives and use critical thinking to form their own conclusions, while environmental advocacy focuses on promoting a specific viewpoint or course of action. Understanding this distinction has helped me be more intentional about how I approach my work at an environmental advocacy organization and recognize when each approach is most appropriate to use!”

Educator Spotlight: Christy Perrin

Christy Perrin, the Sustainable Waters and Communities Coordinator with the NC Water Resources Research Institute (WRRI) and NC Sea Grant, recently completed her NC Environmental Education Certification. In these roles Christy implements projects that benefit both people and nature with a focus on water. “I facilitate collaborative initiatives like the Wake Green Schools Partnership which works to increase environmental literacy in schools, and I coordinate projects that increase community and ecological resiliency and engage K-12 students and educators in NC standards-aligned lessons about water resources and natural science careers. I’m also a volunteer leader with my child’s Scouting of America Troop which provides plenty of opportunities to join camping and other outdoor adventures!”

Christy says her favorite part of earning her certification was participating in the outdoor environmental education experiences. “ It raised my awareness of the many guided programs available across NC through local and state agencies and environmental education centers, and it gave me the gentle nudge I needed to participate in many of them. The NC Museum of Natural Science's Mad for Madtoms Educator Trek was a highlight -- literally diving into a river to learn about tiny, endangered Carolina Madtoms (catfish), and meeting Neuse River Waterdogs with Museum and NC Wildlife Resources Commission staff!”

When asked about an experience in the program that stood out to her, Christy says it was the Methods of Teaching Environmental Education Workshop. “I found the course especially helpful since my education was about public administration, environmental policy and collaborative problem solving, not teaching. It helped me to move more comfortably and confidently into engaging K-12 audiences in my programming.”

For her community partnership project, Christy chose to do her project at her son's elementary school. As a PTA member and parent volunteer, she was able to work collaboratively to create an outdoor learning and play area and to coordinate sustainability events around campus including native plant installations and litter cleanups. “The new outdoor learning and play area provides K-2 grade students unstructured play opportunities, benefitting their development. The boulders, trees, shrubs and perennials installed throughout the campus provide additional natural areas to explore and enhance the ecosystem and wildlife who may use the campus as their habitat. The importance of outdoor sustainability at the school is now reflected in the title of the committee I chaired. I worked with the PTA president to change the committee from “operations and grounds” to "sustainability and grounds."

Christy says the certification changed her approach to teaching. “The program provided me with skills, knowledge, practice and confidence to expand K-12 programming within WRRI. “I'm applying what I've learned every time I plan to visit a school, create new lesson plans, or partner with others on initiatives to advance environmental literacy across the state of North Carolina.”

Christy says she had a strong base of understanding of environmental issues before starting the program, but the program changed how she thinks about supporting her students’ understanding of environmental issues. “I better understand the need to support a student's critical thinking and analysis of environmental issues as part of the environmental education process and to help them connect to their own experiences and knowledge to make those environmental issues relevant to them. Getting students outdoors to see and experience their local environment is a key piece the process.”

Educator Spotlight: Jacob Regensburger

Jacob Regensburger, a middle school teacher with the 71^st Classical Middle School in Cumberland County recently completed his NC Environmental Education Certification. Jacob teaches 6^th and 7^th grade science and volunteers with Friends of Carvers Creek State Park to help run their programs. In his personal time, he enjoys hiking, photography and reading.

Jacob says his favorite part of the program was the opportunity to see different places in the state. “My favorite part of the program was seeing how diverse an ecology and geography North Carolina has. From the mountains in the west to the coast in the east, you can find many different types of plants, animals and ecosystems.”

When asked if there was an experience that stood out to him, Jacob says it was programs offered through the NC Museum of Natural Sciences. “I first learned about the certification while attending the museum’s Blue Ridge Institute during Covid. My final hours towards certification were earned through another museum institute, their trip to Yellowstone National Park. This was the perfect bookend to my certification experience.”

For my community partnership project, I started an environmental art contest within my school. The focus was on native plants or animals from North Carolina. Our design was sent to Yellow Crayons, a local t-shirt printing business, to create a T-Shirt. The shirts were sold to the student body, and proceeds were donated to the Friends of Carvers Creek State Park. We have already decided to continue the contest next school year, and the Friends group is considering adopting the winning design each year as their official t-shirt.”

Jacob says the program led to changes in his approach to teaching. “Many of my experiences led me to slow down and connect with my environment, as well as the people around me. I find now that I am quicker to slow down and listen before responding, and I teach and encourage my students to do the same. If you have a middle schooler in your life, you know how much they can benefit from slowing down and listening!

Jacob says the program helped his teaching. “I find my practice as a teacher immeasurably improved. Between professional development, curriculum resources, and many new friends and colleagues met through the program, I would not be the teacher I am today without environmental education.”

Educator Spotlight: Morgan Pope

Morgan Pope, an Administrative Support Specialist with Harnett Soil and Water Conservation District, recently completed her NC Environmental Education Certification. Morgan works with other staff on the educational programming such as Envirothon. “Our Envirothon competition is probably my most favorite! We primarily work with local farmers and landowners to help implement best management practices for their farm or land to help mitigate erosion and sediment control.”

Morgan says she enjoyed the opportunity to meet new people while completing the program. “My favorite part about earning my certification was meeting people all across the state, learning how our soils and lands differ and working together by building new relationships, sharing ideas and collaborating with others all for a common goal.”

When asked if there was an experience that stood out to her, Morgan says it was the passion shared by the presenters. “The classes I attended were filled with knowledge and a true understanding and love for the natural environment. The presenters were wonderful.”

For her community partnership project, Morgan partnered with Keep Harnett Beautiful to create a litter sweep. “What started as a bi-annual litter sweep for the county, has now developed into the need for a full-time litter sweep coordinator. I started this initiative in the spring of 2022 and had around 120 participants. Fast forward to NOW, from January 2026 through May 2026 we have had over 750 volunteers... The community has stepped up, volunteered and has helped increase awareness of the harm litter causes our natural resources.”

Morgan says the program helped her understand there are different methods to educate your audiences. “Not all ways work for everyone but taking the time to get to know the audience helps decipher which way work best.” She also says the program changed the way she thinks about environmental issues. “I have a deeper understand of the natural resources around us and I feel more confident in teaching current and future stewards of our lands.”

Educator Spotlight: Katie Frederick

Katie Frederick, a small business owner in Johnston County, recently completed her NC Environmental Education Certification. Katie is an entrepreneur who is passionate about building community, storytelling and connecting people with the outdoors.

Katie runs a small business consulting company that assists customers with recruiting, administrative tasks and website design and a photography business, where her work focuses heavily on wildlife, travel and outdoor adventure photography. “I lead a family-style trail and nature journal community that offers community hikes for families, women’s international adventure trips, outdoor photography workshops, and environmental education programs for youth. Beyond my own businesses, I serve as an ambassador for a large women’s community in North Carolina and volunteer as a trail guide with Triangle Land Conservancy. At the heart of everything I do is a desire to inspire curiosity, conservation, adventure and meaningful human connection through nature and shared experiences.”

Katie says one of her favorite parts of earning her certification was connecting with so many like-minded people who share a passion for environmental education, conservation and getting others outdoors. “The program also gave my family and me the opportunity to explore new places, discover different outdoor themes and spend meaningful time together in nature. In many ways, the process helped me reconnect with an important part of my past and professional journey. Before becoming a full-time entrepreneur, I worked for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources as an Environmental Specialist and Source Water Protection Specialist, where I assisted communities and stakeholders with wellhead and watershed management plans to help protect drinking water sources. Stepping back into the environmental education world has felt like coming full circle and has reignited my passion for stewardship, conservation and community education.”

The certification experience that stands out most for Katie was the Southern Appalachian Birds program at the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont. Although my original naturalist skills class was postponed, the pre-course reading introduced me to nature journaling, which quickly became a new passion. I have completed the coursework for my Nature Journal Educator Certification and am now awaiting my practicum. Nature journaling also helped me overcome limiting beliefs about my artistic abilities and sparked a new love for drawing and creative observation. I’m excited to continue this journey and eventually pursue my Southern Appalachian Naturalist Certification as well.”

Katie collaborated with Triangle Land Conservancy on her community partnership project. Triangle Land Conservancy hosts a public event, Wild Ideas, each year that brings in 300 community members and experts to share ideas and explore solutions to local environmental challenges. Katie introduced nature journaling to attendees, and she says it encouraged deeper connections with the outdoors through observation and creativity. “The experience was incredibly rewarding and showed how accessible and engaging nature journaling can be for people of all ages and experience levels. As a direct result of the event, I was inspired to launch our own Nature Journal Club to continue building community around outdoor exploration and creativity. The project has already created additional opportunities, with several homeschool organizations I connected with during the event reaching out about hosting nature journaling programs for their groups.”

Katie says that participating in the certification program changed her approach to teaching. “Participating in the program significantly shaped the way I approach teaching and engaging others outdoors. What began as a desire to learn more about my adopted home state of North Carolina evolved into a deeper passion for helping youth develop their own naturalist skills and connection to nature. After my oldest child started attending public school, I realized that much of my own love for the outdoors and science had been fostered outside of a traditional classroom setting by my parents, who were science teachers and scientists by profession. It made me recognize that not every child has access to those same experiences or mentors encouraging curiosity, exploration and environmental stewardship. Because of this, my approach has become much more focused on creating accessible, hands-on experiences that inspire wonder, observation and confidence in the outdoors for children and families alike. As a result, I’ve added an element of education into all our community hikes as well as offering specific environmental education programs.”

She says the program also changed the way she views environmental issues. “Participating in the certification program expanded my perspective on environmental issues by highlighting how deeply conservation is connected to education and personal experience in nature. While my background focused on environmental protection and watershed management, this program shifted my thinking toward the importance of building early, meaningful connections to the outdoors. I now see environmental education as a key driver of long-term stewardship because people protect what they understand and feel connected to. It also reinforced the need to make environmental learning accessible, hands-on and engaging for all ages and communities.”

Educator Spotlight: Krista Roa

Krista Roa, director of Environmental Education at the Agape Center for Environmental Education in Fuquay-Varina, recently completed her NC Environmental Education Certification.

Krista works with K-8 students and leads programs for students throughout central North Carolina on topics such as water quality, animal adaptations, ecosystems, tree identification and many more. In her personal time, Krista enjoys being outdoors. “I love to kayak, paddleboard and volunteer with my sons' scout troops. With the little free time that I do have, I love to crochet, and watch movies.”

Krista says her favorite part of earning her certification was a trip she went on with her son and his scout troop to several national parks, which allowed her to participate in several activities. “We attended ranger talks about the ecosystem of Arches National Park and the mules of the Grand Canyon and went on a guided tour of the cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde National Park.”

When asked about an experience that stood out to her, Krista says it was meeting other educators. “I enjoyed networking with others in the field. It was really great to get to know new people and make friends that I can collaborate with.”

For her community partnership project, Krista built new platforms on a pond that is used for collecting water samples during field trip programs. She worked with her son and members of his scout troop to replace the platforms that were rotting and too small for a group of students to use. “The new platform made it possible for more students to collect samples for the water quality and the pond macroinvertebrates programs. The larger platforms provide a safe collecting site and also allow more students to collect at one time.”

Krista says the program led to changes in her approach to teaching. “I've become much more aware of the language I use in my programs. I've worked really hard to use language that is more inclusive and accepting of differences since I've been in the certification program. The Methods of Teaching Environmental Education course facilitated by Environmental Educators of North Carolina was extremely helpful because it gave me some in-depth background knowledge about the history of environmental education.”

The certification program also changed the way Krista thinks about environmental issues. “Since starting this certification program, I've begun looking at the different angles that each environmental issue could involve. There are so many different perspectives that come into play, and part of being a good educator is taking as many of them into account as you can. Giving people the best information I'm able to give so that they can make decisions that are beneficial to them and to others has become one of my central goals.”

DEQ’s Janina Millis Recognized for Earning the State’s Environmental Education Certification

Janina Millis and Lori Davis 

Janina Millis, the NC Air Awareness Program Coordinator for the NC Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) Division of Air Quality, was recognized Friday for completing her NC Environmental Education Certification. The award was a full circle moment for Janina and her mentor Lori Davis, who is the Education Coordinator for the NC Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve. 

Lori supervised Janina when she was a DEQ intern with the NC Coastal Reserve in 2017. Today Janina is a full-time educator at DEQ participating in one of Lori’s professional development workshops for educators called Teachers on the Estuary at the Rachel Carson Coastal Reserve. “It has been an honor to mentor Janina and watch her grow as an environmental educator,” Lori said. “I’m so proud to call her a friend and a colleague, and to continue working together to promote environmental education in our state.”

“We are so fortunate to have outstanding educators like Lori and Janina teaching students about the importance of our state’s estuaries, clean air and other environmental topics,” said DEQ Secretary Reid Wilson. “Janina’s success story demonstrates how our internships can create exciting career pathways for students.”

Teachers on the Estuary Workshop participants

As a program coordinator, Janina teaches K-12 students and the public about air quality through school programs and outreach events. Janina also collaborates with educators from other DEQ divisions on teacher training and student outreach. She has created partnerships with other agencies and organizations such as drivers’ education programs, asthma support groups and museums. In her personal time, Janina enjoys hiking, kayaking, reading and dancing. She also loves going home to the Crystal Coast to spend time with her family and dogs.

She says the favorite part of earning her certification was exploring the state. “Though I have lived in North Carolina all my life, I've only just started to explore,” she said. “Going to various regions for workshops and trainings, I have learned to love each part of the state for all its unique qualities. Now, a personal goal of mine is to visit all our state parks, because I have enjoyed exploring so much!”

Janina said the experience in the program that stood out for her was the conferences hosted by Environmental Educators of North Carolina, the state’s professional organization for environmental education. “Getting to be in the same space as folks who have like interests and passions, and an array of content expertise is such a rejuvenating experience,” she said. “Learning from so many wonderful people has made me a better environmental educator. Plus, game nights and campfires are always fun too.” 

For her community partnership project, Janina created a “State of AWE (Air, Water, Earth) workshop” which showcased DEQ’s education programs in the divisions of Coastal Management; Water Resources; Energy, Mineral and Land Resources; Geological Survey; and Air Quality. “The workshops were hosted in underserved areas of the state and educators spent a day learning from DEQ educators using hands-on activities in a variety of subject matter to take back to the classroom,” Janina said. “They gained an understanding of how each element of our environment is connected.” 

DEQ Educators and State of AWE Workshop Facilitators: Rebecca Coppa, Janina Millis, Amy Pitts and Lori Davis

Janina says the program helped her gain a better understanding of her position and what she could improve to make her outreach and education programs successful. She says her biggest take-away was understanding how to teach others how to think and not what to think and making content unique to different audiences so they may take personal interest in the subject. “Telling someone what to expect or what is happening, doesn't allow for them to form their own thoughts or become personally invested,” Janina said. “It is only once they have spent time coming to conclusions themselves and seeing the impacts on their lives that they really start to understand and ask more questions. Then, they can begin to take ownership of their actions that will have impacts on the environment.”

Educator Spotlight: Seth Landon

Seth Landon, an educator at Agape Center for Environmental Education, recently completed his NC Environmental Education Certification. He teaches field trips and provides  programs on a wide variety of subjects from geology and the environment to inserts and bird flight. In his personal time, Seth enjoys collecting insects, fossil hunting, camping and hiking.

Seth says his favorite part of earning his certification was the opportunity to volunteer with the NC Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC). “This experience led to me helping with surveys for the federally listed Roanoke Logperch, Neuse River Waterdog, and Carolina Madtom. Each of these experiences across the state filled me with the greatest wonder and appreciation for rare and endangered species that need our help. Getting to volunteer with WRC directly to survey for the Roanoke Logperch was especially meaningful, because I was able to spend several days seeing dozens of fish and aquatic invertebrate species that are as beautiful as any you may find in a tropical reef. There is a special feeling that comes when you get to hold and see an animal that is found nowhere else in the world and then know that your effort can lead to future propagation and conservation.”

When asked about the certification experience that stands out to him, Seth says it was taking the Methods of Teaching Environmental Education Workshop. The methods class was really my biggest wakeup call that wow; I was actually doing this and needed to be all in. I already had some teaching experience, especially as a missionary, but this class taught me so many ways to be more engaging and fun as a teacher. It was especially meaningful to participate as a group and to learn from each other. After this class, I felt much more comfortable pursuing the rest of the certification, and I remember signing up for as much as I could handle on the environmental education calendar.”

For his community partnership program, Seth created an insect collection for the Museum of Idaho in Idaho Falls. “The museum contains plenty of historical artifacts, but not many relating to natural history. I was asked to create something that could both expand the collection and serve as a teaching aid for the public. The final collection was 39 labeled insects from various families, complete with a lesson structure and information to be presented to museum visitors.”

Seth says the certification program not only changed his approach to teaching, but it also helped him find a job. “Participation in the EE Certification by itself is what got me at least one job. My instructor for Project WILD asked me if I would like to work for her as a program instructor, which opportunity I gladly took. I was then able to apply what I had learned throughout all my environmental education courses. I have found better ways to address unruly kids, get parent chaperones involved, and now have more confidence teaching in general.”

When asked if the program changed the way he views environmental issues, Seth says that it was the Ground LevelOzone: Advanced Air Quality Educator Workshop in particular that had a hug impact on him. “I was able to do a program in the Smokey Mountains, which was hosted by the  NC Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality in partnership with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This program allowed us to survey salamanders and terrestrial snails, both of which are affected by poor air quality and acid rain. We were also able to make observations on the air quality itself. After our data collection and observation, we were shown data from previous years. Since the implementation of legislation such as the Clean Air Act, the sky has grown significantly clearer, snail shells have grown to larger sizes, and plants are less ozone burned. These were undeniable results of changes made to preserve the environment and reduce unnecessary pollution. This course alone had the biggest impact on me, showing that we really can make a difference and that the earth can heal itself if given the opportunity.”

Educator Spotlight: Raelene Toomer

Raelene Toomer, a teacher at Hunters Creek Elementary School in Onslow County, recently completed her North Carolina Environmental Education Certification. Raelene is retiring from teaching 2^nd grade and hopes to start an encore career. “I am looking for a new job, and I would love to do something in an environmental field. Working on my certification was the best thing for me because it helped my students learn how to take care of a creek that was on our school grounds.”

Raelene says her favorite part of earning her certification was the knowledge she gained and the networking. “I loved learning about different environments and the science lessons in all of the workshops I attended. The best part was meeting new friends that care about the environment we have here in North Carolina.”

When asked about an experience that stood out for her, Raelene says it was the North Carolina Forest Service’s “Investigating Your Environment” Workshop. “This was an incredible experience and the knowledge I gained was amazing. I was able to take that knowledge back to my classroom to help my students learn more about the creek and the trees that are living nearby.”

For her community partnership project, Raelene focused on restoring the creek that is on the school grounds. She engaged the students, parents, principal and the larger community in the effort to clean up a creek that had been damaged by  hurricanes, erosion and pollution. “This community has houses around these two schools where the creek runs into Little Northeast Creek, which runs into the New River, which runs into the Atlantic Ocean. My goal was to clean up the creek so the elementary and middle school students will have an open classroom to study the environment and all the different habitats and plants that live by our creek.”

Raelene partnered with the North Carolina Forest Service to identify the intermittent creek, with a riverkeeper for the cleanup and with the county’s landscaping crew to help connect the creek from the elementary school to the middle school. She engaged parents through a STEM night at the school and a follow-up cleanup. Raelene says the most important benefit of cleaning up the creek was to make it a healthier place for the wildlife that lives nearby and to create an outdoor classroom that teachers can use to teach about the environment and to teach science. “Community members like to take hikes along the creek and there is an open area where outdoor classes can be held for learning. Some middle school students even go out there to sit on the fallen trees to read their books in nature for relaxation. It is so nice to see this area being used by the school and the community.”

Raelene says the certification program changed her approach to teaching. “This program opened my eyes to see that we have a lot of teaching to do about the environments that are in our backyards. Students today are scared to get outside and see nature. As an educator, it is important to teach students how to take care of our planet Earth and the habitats that are near us. We can teach the NC curriculum to the students outside in nature which is the best thing for the students. It gives them hands on learning and helps them see problems in nature and encourages teamwork as they try to find solutions to these problems.”

Raelene also says the program changed the way she thinks about environmental issues. She says the program emphasized the importance of communities working together to solve environmental issues.

Educator Spotlight: Jen Johnson

Jen Johnson, a nature and mindfulness psychotherapist and coach, recently completed her NC Environmental Education Certification.

Jen’s practice focuses on stress, climate anxiety, grief, health and wellness. She is a Writing as Refuge™ workshop facilitator and a speaker and trainer on stress reduction, resilience, creativity, nature meditation and emotional resilience in the climate crisis. She includes nature-based education and nature connection practices in her workshops and presentations. She is also a writer and nature photographer.

Jen says her favorite part of the program was deepening her knowledge about climate change and birds. “I enjoyed the creative aspects of the community project such as collaborating with my community partner on project design and facilitation and curation of the exhibit. Mostly I loved connecting with so many amazing people who are committed to environmental education.”

When asked about a certification experience that stands out to her, she says there are so many that stand out! “A frog call identification workshop helped me to pay more attention to frog calls every season. After the frog calls workshop, I started paying more attention to their calls, and now I know that when the eye of a hurricane is overhead, there is silence, and the hurricane is over when the frogs begin calling again.”

Jen says another experience that stands out to her was Climate Interactive Mastering EnROADS Training*. “It was an intensive training that offered so much information about climate change along with concrete ways to assess which actions will have the greatest positive effects on decreasing the impacts of climate change. I plan to sign up again for continuing education credits! The bird walks at Halyburton Park with Andy Fairbanks also stand out. He's an amazing facilitator, and I've learned so much more about birds from him. I could go on and on, as there are many more experiences that had a positive impact on me. I can't say enough about how wonderful this program is.”

For her community partnership project, Jen created a project called “Writing the Earth: A Climate Writing and Resilience Workshop.” Writing with the Earth project offered a space in which participants could learn about the causes and impacts of climate change, express climate emotions, and write about their climate emotions and as well as their hopes for the future. The project taught participants skills for being more emotionally resilient in the face of the climate crisis. The exhibit of the writing is scheduled to be hung in May at Halyburton Park Nature Center in Wilmington, NC. Our hope is that the exhibit will expand the community conversation and give others encouragement and permission to think about and express their concerns and feelings about climate change.”

Jen says the program changed the way she teaches others. “Participating in the EE Certification program has helped me to be more focused on engaging people's curiosity about the natural world and has expanded my perspective about the many ways that people can engage with nature.”

She also says the program changed the way she views environmental issues. “I believe deeply that people will try to save what they love. I’m more committed than ever to try and inspire people to connect with and fall in love with nature.”

*En-ROADS is developed by Climate Interactive and MIT Sloan.

Educator Spotlight: Angela Craven

Angela Craven, an Environmental Educator at Piedmont Environmental Center in High Point, recently completed her NC Environmental Education Certification. 

Angela provides environmental programs that align with the NC Science Standards for visiting school groups, and she creates original programming for homeschool groups and the public. Angela is also the current vice president of the Piedmont Bird Club and in her personal time, she enjoys birding, spending time in nature and reading.  

Angela says her favorite part of earning her certification was the networking. “I enjoyed the opportunity to take different classes and meeting other people in the field. It was fun to spend the day in a class with others that enjoy doing what I do.”

The certification experience that stands out the most for Angela was the program Presenting Thematic Talks and Hikes for Effective Impact at Pilot Mountain State Park. She found this training very helpful with wonderful information, and she says it helped her become better at creating her own program plans and outlines for homeschool and public programming.

Angela says she also really enjoyed putting together the “Feather Fest” birding festival for her community partnership project. The festival included 10 local groups, two speakers and educational opportunities for the community to learn more about the birding world and how to support birds locally. “It was so much fun speaking with all those involved and seeing how excited they were to be a part of the festival. I loved that at the end of the day we had so many people commenting that they hope we do this every year. To me that shows that the festival was a success and that it engaged the participants enough to want to come back again.”

Angela says the program changed her approach to teaching. “Participating in the certification program helped me to be more aware of how I teach so that I can be sure to include as many people from as many walks of life as possible. It helped me analyze how I engage with participants so that I can critique my methods and then improve on them as needed.”

 She says the program also changed the way she views environmental issues. “I think the biggest change was in realizing that we need to approach the teaching of environmental issues not just from a standpoint of what we need to fix and why, but also from an understanding that some people may not be coming from a place in which these issues seem important in comparison with their every day struggles. I try to find ways to engage those that may not see how environmental issues affect everyone, no matter where they are in life.”

Educator Spotlight: Hayden Lindsey

Hayden Lindsey, a homeschool teacher in Wake County, recently completed her NC Environmental Education Certification. 

Hayden has been a homeschool teacher for 16 years and a scout leader for her daughter’s American Heritage Girl Scout troop for five years. “I enjoy hiking, camping and visiting national parks. I am a follower of Christ and enjoy writing nature-related devotionals tied to the national parks my family has visited. I will be teaching outdoor skills for New Life Camp’s homeschool program next school year.” 

Hayden says her favorite part of the program is meeting teachers from many different backgrounds and practicing teaching techniques with them. “I have been teaching science and nature/outdoor-related topics to kids for many years in different homeschool and scouting contexts, but I had not interacted much with other informal educators and traditional classroom teachers who teach similar topics. It was encouraging and inspiring to learn from these new voices.” 

When asked what experience stands out to her from the program, Hayden says it was the NC Museum of Natural Sciences’ Got Elk? Educator Trek. “The weekend at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park allowed me to connect with other environmental educators and to experience the rutting season when elk are active at the park. The time spent outdoors in creation was restorative and observing majestic elk up close was awe inspiring. The facilitators and rangers who planned this trek created a fun and educational experience, and I am thankful I got to be a part of the trip for my certification.”

For her community partnership project, Hayden created a weekend full of environmental education activities for her American Heritage Girl (AHG) Scout Troop at Blue Jay County Park in Raleigh. “I planned activities for three levels of scouts to complete their nature and wildlife  badge in one weekend. I incorporated Project WILD activities into the weekend, which was a great supplement to our badgework. The girls especially enjoyed the Dire Diet game we played, addressing the effect of pesticides on the food chain. The second part of my project involved correlating Project WILD curriculum activities with AHG badgework. I documented each AHG badge that touched on wildlife and conservation, linking badge requirements with specific activities in four Project WILD guides. This process was time consuming, but it helped me plan activities for my own scouts and improved my familiarity with the Project WILD guides. I hope this work will be useful to other AHG leaders as well.”

Hayden says the program changed her approach to teaching. “I have gained so many valuable resources for teaching about nature and outdoor skills through the workshops and outdoor experiences I’ve done through the certification program. The activities in the Project WILD, Project WET and Project Learning Tree guides are very valuable. I have also learned from the facilitators in these workshops, as well as through tips on "classroom" management for teaching kids outdoors from other teachers and participants in the programs I attended. I hope to get my scouts outdoors more, not just on camping trips/outdoor events, but at regular troop meetings as well.”

The program also changed the way she thinks about environmental issues. “It was helpful to hear about how we should tailor how we communicate about environmental issues to children's age levels. Younger children may not be able to handle harsh environmental realities at the level high school students can. The emphasis on communicating environmental information without attempting to promote our own agenda was also pertinent.”

Educator Spotlight: Abby Weinshenker

Abby Weinshenker, the Resource Education Coordinator for the Cabarrus Soil and Water Conservation District, recently completed her NC Environmental Education Certification. In addition to completing her certification, the NC Wildlife Federation awarded Abby  “Environmental Educator of the Year” for the 2026 Governor’s Achievement Awards.

Abby says this role gives her the opportunity to connect the community to the importance of natural resources. “I create and lead educational programs, support conservation initiatives and inspire people of all ages to care for the environment. Outside of work, I love scuba diving, getting lost in a good book
and spending time with my pets."

Abby says her favorite part of earning her certification was taking the workshops. “They helped me feel more confident when I teach.” Her favorite experience was taking the Methods of Teaching Environmental Education at Stevens Creek Nature Center and Preserve in Mecklenburg County. “I learned a lot of new techniques and terminology related to environmental education. This is the class that I credit for my confidence boost and for the methods to teach environmental education.”

For her community partnership project, Abby started the first annual Creek Week for Cabarrus County. “It was a challenging process that required extensive planning, coordination and collaboration with multiple partners, but the effort paid off and the event was a success. We’re now in the midst of planning our second annual Creek Week, building on what we learned to make it even better.”

Abby says the program changed her approach to teaching. "Taking the Methods workshop allowed me to become a more confident public speaker, but when I took “Accessible by Nature” through Environmental Educators of North Carolina, I changed my approach to education entirely. I learned several techniques to be more inclusive for all learners, and I highly recommend everyone take that course.”

When asked if the program changed the way she views environmental issues, Abby says her opinion on issues hasn’t changed but her communication about those issues has changed. “I learned to scale the heaviness of the topic amongst different age ranges and not to let my own opinions seep into the topic when I’m talking about it. We need to give learners the facts and let them form their own opinions on issue.”