In Their Own Words — Teachers

"I left with a feel for the beauty of this place and a much better understanding of the science of climate change,” says Dean, a teacher in Tumwater, Washington, a rural area dominated by the trucking and logging industries. “What I learned from the lectures and many conversations I had with scientists, including a polar bear researcher and Peter Kershaw, the lead Earthwatch scientist who is an amazing teacher, was brought to life through my work in the snow."

Dean is putting this understanding to work in the classroom for the children she teaches and also is co-authoring a book on environmental justice for use in public schools. In many ways, the expedition highlighted something unexpected to offer as a teacher to her students, and to her community at large.

"I am helping people face the reality of what we have done as a species,” Dean explains. “And what that’s really about is teaching flexibility and interdependence between people — the very things you learn from studying nature. We are all in this together. As for the kids, they learned through my actions that you can follow your dreams, stand up for what you believe in, and really care about an issue. Now they know what it means to really dedicate yourself to being a steward of the earth and to helping others through teaching to become one as well.

"Earthwatch is doing a lot for the hearts and souls of teachers,” she adds. “It’s hard to quantify because it is more subtle — and more powerful — than a child’s test results. It’s about designing experiences for them that ask them to look more closely at the world and make connections to the bigger picture. It’s about giving teachers a chance to come alive and be role models for young people. It’s about changing lives."

Jana Dean’s Blog – http://janadean.blogspot.com/

"If you could see the way my face lights up when I talk about my expedition, you would know that you made a great investment. This experience has inspired me to take a more active role in the environment and I am in a unique place as a teacher to help children learn what they can do. I have contacted the Clearwater Aquarium about volunteering with the Sea Turtles and plan to seek out other conservation organizations. I am even more aware of litter on the ground and can’t help but to stop to pick it up. I cannot thank you enough for making this all possible.

The time I spent in Trinidad working with the turtles was about more than the science. It was about passion and dedication.

More amazing than the turtles were the people in the program and in the community. In just a short period of time, I made meaningful relationships that spanned cultural differences. It was through my time spent talking and working with these people that I witnessed their passion. The people of Matura were dedicated to working night after night on the beach to further the conservation of the Leatherbacks. I have never before seen people give so much of themselves for a cause. Their attitudes were infectious and I hope to further spread the feeling of ownership for the environment."

"I feel blessed and honored to have been awarded this fellowship and cannot thank you enough. This experience has helped me grow both professionally and personally and I look forward to sharing the ideas learned with my community.

On June 29th, I arrived in California to help conduct research on the sharks and rays of Monterey Bay. I met my Principal Investigator, Sean Van Sommeran, right away and was immediately impressed. Mr. Van Sommeran made me feel very comfortable and could not have been nicer. Not only is he very knowledgeable in his field, he was inspirational.

Among the many things I learned from this experience one lesson stands out the greatest to me and that is to stand up for what you believe in. Hearing Mr. Van Sommeran’s stories of hard times and how he continuously fights for the sharks and rays of this area was very motivating. He has given up all monetary things in order to go forward with the Pelagic Shark Research Foundation. If the Earthwatch Institute and people like you did not get involved with these individual research projects, they may not survive. For this reason, I again thank you."

"Going to Alaska through Earthwatch has been a life changing experience. I camped with a view of glaciers and could reach out and touch wildlife around me. I assisted with researching kittiwakes and kittlitz’s murrelets, one of the rarest birds in North America. I cannot wait to share my adventures and experiences with my children this up coming year. I currently work at an inner city school located in Lawrence, MA. Most of my students come from the Dominican Republic or Puerto Rico, and some have never seen snow. Many may not have the financial opportunity to be able to travel outside of Massachusetts, and I may be their only link to learning about different areas of the country and world. They will be amazed at the size of the glaciers, and of all of the different animals I worked with and have seen. I also know that they will enjoy hearing about camping, as many of my students have not had the opportunity to have that experience either. You have no idea how you have not only impacted my life with your generous gift, but also the experiences that my children will have as well."

"My most memorable moment occurred on our third day of observations. We spent about an hour searching for dolphins when we sighted a group of about twenty dolphins. They weren’t foraging for food today, but instead engaging in more social behavior. We saw dolphins napping and jumping. At one point we had three dolphins bow riding. They were so close to the boat I could hear them whistling, a form of communication among dolphins. It was remarkable to be that close! I felt like I was part of their conversation!

In Mississippi, our science curriculum includes the following objectives: classify animals into categories, compare and contrast characteristics of different species, and analyze the suitability of different environments in meeting the needs of plants and animals. I will be able to share my experiences from the expedition to teach each one of these objectives. I know my students are going to be thrilled to learn about the dolphins I saw. I can’t wait to share my videos and pictures with them!

Thank you again for allowing me the opportunity to travel to Greece. I now have a deeper appreciation for those who dedicate their lives to the conservation of our Earth’s natural resources and animal life. I hope to pass that appreciation on to my students and all with whom I share my experience."

"I want to thank you for the opportunity to travel to the Pantanal region of Brazil with Earthwatch. It was an incredibly valuable experience that has rejuvenated me as a classroom teacher. The researchers and staff we worked with were fantastic and really helped all of us to interpret the experience and bring it back to our students.

We observed so many types of endangered wildlife and the Pantanal was so verdant (in February no less)! In a single day, I was able to observe a tapir, giant anteater, toucans, a neotropical otter, agoutis, rheas and several species of frogs. I have been able to share images and video of these amazing creatures with my students—some of whom have never left the five mile radius of their neighborhood.

This has been absolutely unforgettable and I want to thank you for the opportunity to delve further into my practice and the natural world."

"Before I set out on this expedition, I started a journal to keep track of my thoughts and findings along the way. I was slightly nervous on my way to the Bahamas - that I would not know enough about the research or that my snorkeling ability would not be good enough. Despite the obstacles I faced with luggage arriving two days late and getting an ear and throat infection, I was able to overcome my nervousness. ☺ After two days, I wrote in my journal, “I think I can actually do this!” I learned how to use a compass properly, read a GPS, test water quality, measure altitude with a zip line, and identify certain kinds of fish and algae. It was a great feeling to know that these little tasks that I was able to assist in or do on my own were being used as “real data” to inform Science.

In thinking about how I will bring this experience back to my classroom, as a third grade teacher, I can’t help but want to give my students the same feeling that I got – to feel like a “real researcher” – even if just for a short time. One of the most interesting fish encounters that we had was with the lionfish. The lionfish is an invasive species of fish that is not native and is dangerous to the Bahamas. During our expedition, we were able to catch three lionfish. In our third grade curriculum in California, the Life Science Content Standards deal with animal adaptations. I think that I will be able to work in my expedition and experience with the lionfish and their adaptations to fit these standards nicely.

Once again, I would like to thank you for the unique opportunity you provided me in sponsoring my fellowship for the Earthwatch Coastal Ecology of the Bahamas Expedition."

"Upon returning to the classroom I shared my experiences. The students were thrilled to see pictures of their teacher working hands on with the turtles. The learning that took place could never have happened without my direct experience. My students and I thank you for making this happen."

"Through your generosity and this experience I feel that I can bring information back to my students that will help engage their learning processes not only in science, but many other academic areas. The group of students that I teach is very important and special to me and I feel honored to have this information to pass along to them."

"While I was there I was able to bring all of my new learning back to my class through dynamic mediums such as internet blogging and Skype. This experience not only greatly impacted me and my views of saving the Earth but it also made my students realize that even though they are only in 4th grade they still have a voice and can help to make a difference."

"I went into my fellowship experience at La Manzanilla, Mexico two and a half years ago as a mild environmentalist... someone interested in conservation issues, but not ever having had contact with real conservation work nor having been confronted, first-hand, with the effects of poor environmental management. My time taking data in the mangrove forests of La Manzanilla changed all that. I came back to my recently adopted home of northern New Jersey and immediately began to look at my local landscape differently. I saw beyond the concrete roadways and started to see the broad wetland eco-system beneath and surrounding the many dense cities. I started seeking out wild places amidst the urban sprawl. It connected me with the land in a way that many of my native New Jersey co-workers and friends had not ever thought to do. My appreciation for the natural landscapes of northern New Jersey then led me to look at the long history of environmental damage in our area. Everything from the draining of wetlands back in the 1800's to illegal chemical dumping in the 1900's has been perpetrated on this ecosystem. Outrage at that then led me to the high correlation between impoverished neighborhoods and high concentrations of unhealthy ground and air contamination. It was a frustrating realization. This all culminated in me engaging the adults and youth in my faith community in a study of environment and justice issues. I have spent several weekends over the past year discussing local and global environmental issues...from environmental racism and classism, to how normal behavior in a throw-away society leads to local and international environmental damage. I have been especially hopeful in the responses of the young people...they have taken up the torch of responsibility in powerful ways...complaining to their parents about the use of plastic bottles and insisting on the use of reusable grocery bags. I have next steps in mind, including a local inter-faith conference for youth on local environmental issues, addressing how they can impact their communities to promote better environmental practices.

In even more personal ways I have been affected...my wife and I purchased a hybrid car, used green building practices when remodeling our condo and became more adamant about using organic and local source foods.

All this from that 8 day experience. It changed my life.

Thank you for the work your organization does and for making opportunities for educators like myself to become better informed and more responsible citizens in our communities. I hope to stay connected with Earthwatch in the future. I think it is an amazing organization."