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, and Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College.
Overview
The Sustainable Classrooms program trains teachers how to integrate sustainability into the classroom. The program includes a one-year study of area teachers and administration, development of a Sustainable Living STEAM curriculum, professional development trainings on how to infuse sustainable living into the classroom, and student-led home investigations that reinforce literacy and engage student families in the learning process.
Nashville Cohort 2018 - Alex Berger Photography
Register for a training by june 1
If you are interested in requesting a training for a group of teachers, a school, or a district, please complete this interest form.
Nominate a Teacher of Administrator by June 1
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:
Prioritize and integrate sustainability literacy in Tennessee schools and administrations
Strengthen teacher pedagogies and confidence for teaching environmental sustainability
Foster student sustainability literacy AND strategies for long-term behavioral change
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.
Nashville Cohort 2018 - Alex Berger Photography
Inquiries
To learn more about Sustainable Classrooms, including registration, volunteers, and media inquiries, please email Diana Andrew, Sustainable Classrooms Manager, at [email protected].
Individual, corporate, and foundation giving campaign to raise $40,000 before 2020 to support Sustainable Classrooms