1994 Outstanding Educators

Katherine Snyder, Booker T. Washington Math Science Magnet School, Little Rock, Arkansas. An inner-city school teacher, Ms. Snyder has developed a science laboratory serving over 400 3rd through 6th graders. She integrates PLT lessons into all units of classroom study and says, "PLT helps me bring the wonders and balance of nature into my urban classroom."

Barbara Leonard, Heritage Elementary School, Pueblo, Colorado. Awarded the 1992 Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching, Ms. Leonard integrates PLT lessons in her K-5 science programs and also serves as a PLT facilitator, providing PLT workshops for pre-service teachers at the University of Southern Colorado.

Myra Jeffres, Merritt Brown Middle School, Panama City, Florida. A dedicated PLT teacher, Ms. Jeffres has not only integrated PLT into her classroom she has trained all faculty at Merritt in PLT. At Myra's instigation, the principal has designated February as "PLT Month." Having formed a partnership with Stone Container Corporation, she has easy access to foresters who provide useful technical information in the classroom.

Chris Johnson, Church Street Elementary School, Riverdale, Georgia. A dedicated PLT teacher, Ms. Johnson has helped train teachers in her county on the value of PLT to stimulate student learning. She has adapted "The Peppermint Beetle" to illustrate how salmon use their sense of smell to find their birthplace stream. Representing PLT, Ms. Johnson presented a PLT workshop at the 1994 Georgia Science Teachers convention in order to share with others her enthusiasm for the program.

Willa Dietz, Julia LaBorde and Diane Saye, Galvez Primary School, Prairieville, Louisiana. Fox television has highlighted the work of these three teachers who, with state PLT coordinator, Jim Culpepper, established a nature trail at their school. This outdoor classroom has 22 learning stations and serves as a model for other schools planning similar projects. These teachers use PLT in conjunction with the trail to help educate their students about their environment.

Joanne Alex, Stillwater Montessori School, Stillwater, Maine. A leading environmental educator in Maine, Ms. Alex incorporates PLT into each facet of the Montessori School's curriculum where she is the Director. Her commitment to the environment and PLT activities has impressed environmentally-conscious companies to fund PLT projects throughout Maine. In 1997, Joanne won the prestigious award of Maine Teacher of the Year.

Ruth Carlstrom, Gifted and Talented Education Coordinator, Conrad, Montana. Ms. Carlstrom has trained well over 1,000 teachers in the use of PLT and has presented workshops for numerous school districts and associations. She lives by the credo that every child can benefit from working directly with the "stuff" of science while enjoying the process.

Christine Mosely, Phillips University, Stillwater, Oklahoma. A PLT advocate, Dr. Moseley, a university professor, requires that students enrolled in her methods classes attend a basic PLT workshop. After graduation these "student teachers – now certified teachers" utilize PLT in their classroom teaching. Christine practices what she requires her students to do by using PLT activities with high school students in a summer academy for environmental science.

Wesley Roberts, Hillwood High School, Nashville, Tennessee. An ecology and biology teacher, Mr. Roberts has utilized PLT to stimulate his students to assimilate information and debate the issues. He believes that PLT activities "have the capability of taking every student's viewpoint, validating it, and making every student's opinion important."

Pat Lisoskie, Tumwater High School, Tumwater, Washington. A PLT user since the 1970s, Ms. Lisoskie, a biology teacher, has established a new class "The Environment and You" in which she incorporates PLT lessons on watersheds, water quality, wildlife habitat, endangered species, renewable resources, recycling and land use issues. She is a PLT guest speaker, workshop facilitator and community volunteer.