Empowering Teachers for Systemic Change

A Partnership of Urban Green Lab, the Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation's Division of Solid Waste Management, Tennessee Department of Transportation, Metro Nashville Public Schools, and Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College.

Overview

The Sustainable Classrooms program trains teachers how to integrate sustainability into the classroom. The Tennessee statewide program includes a one-year study of metro educators, development of a Sustainable Living STEAM curriculum, professional development trainings on how to infuse sustainable living into the classroom, and student-led home waste investigations that reinforce literacy and engage student families in the learning process.

THE PARTNERSHIP & GOALS

The goal of Sustainable Classrooms is to make sustainability education a priority in Tennessee schools by empowering teachers. In fall 2016, the Tennessee Department of Environment & Education’s (TDEC) commissioned Urban Green Lab through a $419,000, 2017-2019 grant to create a state-wide flagship initiative (piloted in Nashville) to do the following:

1. Prioritize and integrate sustainability literacy in Tennessee schools and administrations

2. Strengthen teacher pedagogies and confidence for teaching environmental sustainability

3. Foster student sustainability literacy AND strategies for long-term behavioral change

4. Engage student families in the learning process and link them to community services

First Edition

Below are samples of the pilot edition of the Sustainable Classrooms Curriculum and student Home Investigations. Participants in the training receive the full curriculum and all materials.