1997 Outstanding Educators

Cindy Ybos, University of New Orleans New Orleans, Louisiana. Since 1993, Cindy Ybos has conducted PLT workshops at the University of New Orleans (UNO). As a clinical instructor at UNO and a PLT facilitator, Cindy consistently and strongly promotes increased understanding of how environmental education affects adults and children of Louisiana, as well as promotes PLT. Cindy has conducted approximately fifty educator workshops and helps train new facilitators at annual facilitator training workshops. In 1992 and 1996, she was recognized as Outstanding PLT facilitator in Louisiana. Cindy is currently serving on the Louisiana PLT state steering committee.

Becky McNeely, Iuka Elementary School Iuka, Mississippi. As an elementary school teacher and an active PLT facilitator, Becky McNeely's commitment to environmental education is demonstrated by her desire to understand more about her environment and about ways to convey this knowledge to her students and fellow teachers. Becky continually recruits teachers to participate in PLT workshops, Mississippi Teachers Conservation Workshops, and PLT facilitator training workshops. Presently, she is working with the Superintendent of Tishomingo County School District and other Project SEED members to develop a curriculum that incorporates field trips, resource people, and PLT activities, according to skills mastered at each grade level.

Belinda Spears, Penny Road Elementary School Raleigh, North Carolina. Belinda Spears is truly committed to sharing the love of the forest and environment with her first-grade classes. She has transformed a new school site into a model environmental education showplace using PLT as the curriculum during annual Arbor Day Celebrations. Belinda is actively involved in the development of a PLT nature trail, aquatic classroom, arboretum, and bird observation area. She recruits all new teachers in her school to go through PLT training. As an ambassador and spokesperson for the PLT program, Belinda enthusiastically spreads the message of interdisciplinary, inquiry-based teaching.

Frances Howard, De Leon Elementary School De Leon, Texas. Fourth-grade teacher Frances Howard utilizes many PLT activities in her classroom. She is able to use PLT activities to prepare her students for the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills test, a test required by the state. "I try to incorporate the Project Learning Tree goals in my curriculum by giving my students an opportunity to become aware of our environment and some of the issues pertaining to it," she says. "By using Project Learning Tree, I am changing and forming the attitudes of my students so they can be useful members of our society and help forge new ways of thinking about and dealing with the environment and the issues that will come in the future." Recently, Frances received a proclamation from Texas Governor George W. Bush, which recognizes her dedicated efforts to educating students about the environment.

Ron Hellstern, South Cache Freshman Center Logan, Utah. "Our method is inspired by PLT's banner call to action," says ninth-grade science teacher Ron Hellstern, about his curriculum. Ron's entire science course is based upon the PLT sequence of awareness, understanding, challenging, motivation, and action. Ron understands that his students just do not want to listen and learn, they want to do and learn. Ron recruits teachers into the program by showing them how PLT activities can be used, modified, or expanded to fit their specific situations and audience.