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Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators

by
Julie Walker

The Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators recognizes outstanding kindergarten through grade 12 teachers who employ innovative approaches to environmental education and use the environment as a context for learning for their students. Up to two teachers from each of EPA’s 10 regions, from different states, will be selected to receive this award. The White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administers this award to nationally honor, support and encourage educators who incorporate environmental education in their classrooms & teaching methods.

Teacher awardees will receive a commemorative plaque and an award of $2,000 to be used to further the recipient’s professional development in environmental education. But that is not all - the teacher’s local education agency will also receive an award of $2,000 to fund environmental educational activities and programs of the teacher.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators, teachers must meet the following eligibility requirements:

  • Teach K-12 on a full-time basis in a public school that is operated by a local education agency1, including schools funded by the Bureau of Indian Affairs
  • Hold a current teaching license from the state (or valid reciprocity from the state for a license from another state)
  • Have a minimum of 5 years of K-12 teaching experience, including at least 3 years of teaching environmental education and/or an environment-based curriculum
  • Anticipate a classroom teaching assignment involving environmental education for the upcoming school year
  • Be a citizen of the United States, its territories or possessions, or lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residency
  • Has not been a recipient of this award in the past 5 years

The deadline for submitting applications for the 2014 Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators is February 28, 2014.

For complete details about this opportunity, please refer to the 2014 Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators announcement. You can also review the Application Requirements and Form and Frequently Asked Questions.