This year’s 2009 South Carolina Project Learning Tree’s (PLT) Outstanding Educator of the Year award winner is Mrs. Michelle J. Ashley, a high school environmental studies teacher at South Aiken High School in Aiken, SC..  Ms. Ashley is thoroughly committed to environmental education and has led her school to become more environmentally conscious through the use of PLT activities and materials.

 

Mrs. Ashley is the lead teacher for the Green Steps program at Aiken High School and led her school to be awarded the first school in Aiken County to win this achievement.  Her commitment to environmental education focuses on getting students involved in their natural surroundings.  Last year she started a Wildlife 4-H club at Schofield Middle School, she sponsors an Eco-meet team each year, and is working to train an Envirothon team for South Aiken High for this year’s competition.  She sponsors a recycling program at the school and has worked with students to improve the school grounds with a Carolina Fence Garden, and a blue bird trail.  Mrs. Ashley was recently awarded the CSRA Environmental Teacher of the Year Award for her efforts.

 

Mrs. Ashley is the epitome of what the PLT Outstanding Educator of the Year award represents.  Her dedication to environmental education, her enthusiasm to spread her knowledge and her willingness to go beyond what is normal for her profession has enhanced the learning experience of her students.  She regularly attends additional training to enhance her skills and last year attended the S.C. Teachers’ Tour to learn more about the social, economic and environmental effects of forestry in our state.  Her most important goal in teaching is to instill a responsibility and respect in her students for the environment which is theirs, today and tomorrow.

 

Mrs. Ashley  was presented her award at this year’s South Carolina Forestry Association’s 41^th Annual Convention at the Grove Park Inn, Ashville, NC noon luncheon on Thursday, November 5.  Along with her plaque she will receive a cash award to use for educational supplies.

 

Project Learning TreeÒ is an award winning environmental education program of the American Forest Foundation and sponsored in South Carolina by the S.C. Forestry Commission, the State Department of Education, and the S.C. Forestry Foundation [a 509 ( a ) (3) non-profit organization]. To learn more about PLT or to attend a workshop, contact the state coordinator, Jerry Shrum at jshrum@forestry.state.sc.us or phone (803) 896-8892.