ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATORS OF THE YEAR - 2020
MISHA SMITH - HAWTHORNE ELEMENTARY
My mission as an educator is to inspire curiosity, critical thinking and creative problem solving in my students. I strive to instill an understanding that knowledge is powerful, and students can use this power to improve their world. I love to get my students outdoors and in the field as much as possible, as well as connecting them with guest speakers and experts locally and globally. Most of the learning that takes place in my classroom is hands on and inquiry project based, and involves just the right amount of controlled chaos to be fun and engaging.
-Misha
ALI WARD - BOISE HIGH
As an educator I see myself as a facilitator, a science tour guide, shepherding, and apprenticing my students as they tap into their own curiosity and follow their paths of inquiry and exploration. Science experimentation and learning are at times messy, smelly, nuanced, and difficult, and often must take place outdoors. Most scientific questions don't have simple or clearly "right" answers and environmental justice is, in my mind, a core subject. Helping my students become scientifically literate and able to see multiple angles and approaches to solving an environmental problem is my passion.
-Ali
MATT PODOLSKY - WILD LENS COLLECTIVE
To me, environmental education represents the connective tissue that brings together all the most urgent issues that humanity currently faces. I embrace a new environmentalism that teaches us about the interconnected nature of our current planetary crisis, and strive to show others through storytelling that social justice, racial justice and income inequality are inextricably linked to the climate crisis, the extinction crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. The role of environmental educators in analyzing and communicating these critical connections is urgent as we enter a future of overlapping crises, and I'm honored to be recognized for the small role that I play in this complex, interdisciplinary field.
-Matt
SANDY RACINE - VOLUNTEER WITH THE PEREGRINE FUND'S WORLD CENTER FOR BIRDS OF PREY
As an educator & lover of kids for well over 36 years, my volunteer time the last four years at the World Center For Birds of Prey has given me an incredible knowledge base & the ability to share my passion for raptors & their most needed conservation with a variety of people young and old. Seeing kids & adults light up when they see a raptor up close & personal brings me such joy. My goal is for all visitors to value raptors in the wild & appreciate their value in our environment.
As I end all my school tours with a cheer...
RAPTORS RULE!
-Sandy
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATOR
OF THE YEAR AWARDS
Each year, four outstanding classroom and community educators are recognized for their unique and invaluable contributions to the field of Environmental Education.
Nominations Closed
Accepted May through July

PRIMARY / SECONDARY EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR
Formal educators are typically school teachers.

NON-FORMAL EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR
Non-formal refers to educators that work outside of a formal school system.

VOLUNTEER EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR
Volunteers make the world go round!
PAST AWARD RECIPIENTS
2019
Lauresta Welty Elementary
Melyssa Ferro Secondary
Stephanie Day Non-formal
Kimberly Semple Volunteer
2018
Debbie Bell Elementary
Steve Demers Secondary
Courtney Couch Non-formal
Jennifer Ellis Volunteer
2016
Amy Silver Elementary
Mary Engels Non-formal
Jane Matthews Volunteer
2015
Erin Stutzman Secondary
Tate Mason Non-formal
Denise Keyser Volunteer
Julie Scanlin Lifetime Achievement
2014
Sandy Kindt Elementary
John Schisel Secondary
Lori Adams Non-formal
Liana Litzsinger Volunteer
2013
Purley Decker Elementary
Arlene Wolf Secondary
Rena Ashton Non-formal
Ann Christensen Volunteer
2012
Sheryce Davis Elementary
John Hastings Secondary
Sara Focht Non-formal
2011
Cara Sonnemann Elementary
Clint Kennedy Secondary
Adare Evans Non-formal
2010
Sue Hansen Barber Elementary
Gina Lockwood Secondary
Michelle Youngquist Non-formal
2009
Dick Jordan Secondary
Dick McCloskey Non-formal
2008
Dan Hines Elementary
Gregg Losinski Non-formal
2007
Jane Thornes Elementary
Charlie Kator Secondary
Steven Hines Non-formal
2006
Christenia Coast Elementary
Carri Thomason Elementary
Diane Welch Elementary
Amy Luft Non-formal
2005
Molly Pannkuk Elementary
K.C. Jones Secondary
Alana Jensen Non-formal
2004
Renee McNally Elementary
Robert Beckwith Secondary
Greg Kaltenecker Non-formal
2003
Donna Kent Elementary
Doreen Beck Elementary
Jan Wathen Elementary
Darin Zarbnisky Secondary
Denise Burnett Non-formal
2002
Teri Burch Elementary
Kris Ablin-Stone Secondary
Jennie Rylee Non-formal