Local teachers recognized for nature-focused education efforts

Yahoo

06-05-2025

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) – Four local teachers were recognized by Five Rivers MetroParks for incorporating nature into their classrooms and encouraging students to explore the natural world.
The OUTstanding Teacher Awards honored Dan Palmer, John F. Kennedy Elementary; Patricia Lewis, Roosevelt Elementary; Shari Litte, Fairborn Digital Academy; and René Hick, Learning Tree Farm Nature Preschool.
'Nature is so foundational to many of the disciplines that are taught in school, from science to art,' said MetroParks Outdoor Education Coordinator Pam Lyons Gromen. 'The teachers who are making it a priority for kids to experience nature today are ensuring both their students and the environment have a better future.'
Dan Palmer, John F. Kennedy Elementary, Kettering City Schools, Lifetime Achievement Award (More than 20 years of teaching experience)
Dan Palmer led a trout-raising project for his third-grade students. The kids were able to learn about the life cycle of fish by raising trout from eggs in his classroom. Then, they were able to go on a field trip to release the fish into a local stream.
Palmer often creates opportunities for his students to learn about nature, using hikes, field trips and immersive lessons to encourage them to explore.
Patricia Lewis, Roosevelt Elementary, Dayton Public Schools, Leader Award (10 to 20 years of teaching experience)
Lewis teaches her second graders to appreciate and respect nature by taking them outside as often as possible. Her kids learn about science through gardening. Lewis established a community garden in which students grow fruits and vegetables. This produce is used in lessons and also donated to families within the school.
To work around the fact that students are often not in school durning summer, Lewis uses a greenhouse, where students can learn about hydroponic systems.
Shari Little, Fairborn Digital Academy, Rising Star Award (Less than 10 years teaching experience)
Little is an art teacher and a gardener who brings nature into her students' lessons. Most of Fairborn Digital Academy's core curriculum is online, but students can visit the campus for tutoring and support. Little's garden encourages the students to visit the campus through her gardening class. This class teaches the kids vital life skills.
Little's art is based on nature and displayed throughout the school.
René Hick, Learning Tree Farm Nature Preschool, Early Childhood Education Award. (Three years teaching experience.)
Hick is the first to receive an OUTstanding Teacher Award in the Early Childhood Education category. She is a director and lead teacher at Learning Tree Farm. Her students enjoy nature walks and learn about wildlife.
Hick works to support other preschools and share opportunities with them to experience nature.
Thousands of new fish introduced to Deer Meadow Pond
These teachers were given an awards package containing:
Natural educational materials
Items for their school's outdoor learning space
EECO (Environmental Education Council of Ohio) membership and money to use toward the 101 Conference at Camp Kern.
A one-year membership to the James M. Cox, Jr. Arboretum Foundation and transportation for their class for a field trip to Cox Arboretum MetroPark.
The OUTstanding Teacher Awards are funded through the James M. Cox, Jr. Arboretum Foundation. Community volunteers, with a background in outdoor education, judge and choose to winners.
To learn more about the OUTstanding Teacher Awards, click here.
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