Educator Spotlight: Lauren Best

Lauren Best, a recent graduate student in geology and environmental science from Appalachian State University has completed her NC Environmental Education Certification. Lauren is pursing a job as a wetlands technician where she will collect soil and plant data on valuable wetlands within federally protected lands. In her personal time, Lauren enjoys ecology, organic farming, birding and running on her local greenway in Boone.

Lauren says her favorite part of certification were the site visits. “The certification took me to places in North Carolina that I wouldn't have otherwise visited, where I learned about the small but crucial roles that people fill to advocate for the importance of our North Carolina environment. During these visits, I met a wide range of educators, scientists, and environmental enthusiasts with a more experience than myself who encouraged me to continue down the path I am currently on.”

She says the certification experience that stands out for her were the workshops. “I liked going to workshops and taking deep dives on certain learning objectives and themes. The workshops were similar, but they all had something unique about them that I got to take away.

For her community partnership project, Lauren did background research and wrote a proposal for the reinstallation of a rose arbor with educational signage at the Moses H. Cone Memorial Park located in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. “The purpose of the report was to provide potential heritage rose options that were once planted in a now overgrown rose garden. The project aims to better utilize the space, promote historical restoration of the park and further education of both the Manors history and the cultural significance of the flowers being grown.”

Lauren says the program led to changes in her approach to teaching. “I've changed my teaching style in a way that integrates student feedback, questions and personal stories. Rather than explaining a concept as 'fact,' I give students the open-ended opportunity to integrate lessons into their personal lives. I also learned there's so many more ways to learn than just sitting in a classroom and listening. Teaching is an interactive activity, and learning looks very different for everyone's personal needs.”

She says the program also changed the way she thinks about environmental issues. “After participating in the certification program, I have a much higher level of understand and appreciation for all the current environmental issues that we are faced with. The effect that humans have on our environment is far reaching, and I now have the awareness to notice where I fit into that picture and how to make others more conscientious in a way that can make everyone appreciate the mistakes we've made but also the gifts we've been given!”