L. Maureen Weinhardt, May 2010, M.S. Action Research Question: How might dialogic reading, storytelling and dramatic play influence and connect students with the natural world?
Action Research Title: Connecting Through Stories: A Tale of Children and the Natural World.
Maureen says,
"ETL has been invaluable to me, and has forever shaped the direction my personal and professional life will take. I learned not only about ecology and educational pedagogies, but experienced the interconnectedness between people, the natural word, and the surrounding community in both rural and urban environments. I have a stronger reflective practice as an educator, and am empowered to make changes in myself and in my community that previously would have been unimaginable.
I am now in the midst of launching a PreK-12 educational consultancy business called LearningBug Education with my partner Jeremy. We offer one-on-one tutoring, and test preparation, and are currently developing parent/students workshops that focus on reading with children, child development, behavior management, test preparation, and transitioning to college. I'm excited to see how the company evolves, and how the ripple effects of ETL continue to influence my personal and professional journey."
Jessica Deans, February 2010, M.S. Action Research Title: Promoting Awareness of Ecological Education: Reflective Practice and Ecological Knowledge
Jessica says,
"Like so many professionals drawn to ecological education, it was not the chalk and pencil lessons of my youth I found most valuable and enriching, but the hours spent engrossed in puddles, ponds and fields of mixed grasses. ETL gave me the time and permission to reconnect with my early experiences as a learner and fully realize my value system as an educator. Instead of being taught what to teach, I was asked why I teach, and the process of answering this question has made me a more confident and competent educator. This graduate program reaffirmed my teaching philosophy while allowing me to grow personally and professionally alongside fellow educators with like-minded practices and innovative perspectives.
I have successfully incorporated ecological practices into my kindergarten classroom curriculum, while meeting state and national standards. Through fostering within my students, as Rachel Carson states, a "sense of wonder," I've sought to create an environment supportive of engaged, hands-on learning that reflects ETL's core experiential values. From watching monarch caterpillars transform into butterflies, to digging up root vegetables in our school garden, children are able to develop core academic skills while exploring life outside the classroom walls."Jamie Reeger, February 2009, M.S. Action Research Question: As the Director of the Environmental Institute, how do I promote ecological literacy and sustainability at Lackawanna College as well as to K - 12 teachers and students?
Action Research Title: Building a Foundation of Ecological Education & Sustainability at Lackawanna College Environmental Institute
Jamie says,
"ETL challenged and changed my worldview, my career, and my life. As an environmental educator for over fifteen years, I entered the ETL program naively thinking I had a good grasp on the field, but I was also looking for inspiration and a way to take my education a step further. I had no idea that so many doors would be opened for me because of the ETL Program. During the first summer in Maine I hung onto every new concept and experience. I imagined how I could incorporate each experience into my new job. My enthusiasm continued through each semester.
As the newly appointed director of the newly formed Lackawanna College Environmental Institute I was excited by all the possibilities and directions I could take this program and facility. Over the years, the success of the Institute grew and because of my ETL degree the college asked if I would like to write a new environmental degree. I enthusiastically agreed and chose to develop an Ecological Sustainability degree. This was the perfect opportunity for me to incorporate all that I had learning in ETL. I had the vision, the college granted me the freedom to dream, and Coleen O'Connell helped to provide depth to the program."