Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
2022 Awardees
Lifetime Achievement (20+ years): Steve Huff, Stingley Elementary School
When Stingley staff need to locate Steve Huff’s class, the first place they look is outside! As a fourth-grade teacher of mathematics, Steve will naturally integrate math skills such as mapping, plotting, and measuring into outdoor authentic experiences for his students. Recently, Steve led the development of a new meadow space on school grounds with input and support from students and community partners. As a member of Stingley’s Nature Team, Steve supports his fellow teachers in using this special habitat for outdoor learning. Steve’s work to promote outdoor education extends well beyond Stingley. From 2000 through 2013, Steve served as an outdoor educator for a Centerville City Schools nature program that he created with the Centerville-Washington Park District. Stingley Elementary principal Katie Thornton, who nominated Steve for the Lifetime Achievement award, wrote, “so many classrooms were able to live and learn about nature, teamwork, our responsibilities to the earth and how to love the great outdoors. The impact he had on THOUSANDS of students is immeasurable.”
Leader (10-20 years): Casey Potts, Piqua High School
As a Spanish teacher, Señor Casey Potts identifies cultural connections to nature to engage his students in outdoor learning. His “Mariposa” project at Piqua High School centers on monarch butterflies and their cultural significance to the indigenous cultures of Mexico. Casey developed an experiential curriculum around the annual monarch butterfly migration to Mexico. Through this curriculum, butterflies hand-crafted by his students are mailed in a symbolic “migration” to other students across North America, inspiring them to get outside to appreciate butterflies, their natural habitats, and their cultural importance. When the pandemic hit, Casey worked with Piqua High School students and volunteers to design and plant a Monarch Watch Butterfly Waystation at the school. The Waystation has become an outdoor classroom for identifying colors, objects, and natural wonders in Spanish. Casey’s friend and nominator Rob Short is excited that the award provides bus transportation, so Casey’s students can resume their annual migration from Piqua High School to Cox Arboretum MetroPark, where they practice Spanish while studying butterflies.
Rising Star (<10 years): Katie Guirnalda, Primary Village North
As the Nature Specialist at Primary Village North, Katie Guirnalda brings outdoor learning experiences to around 600 kindergarten and first grade students each week! Katie infuses nature in lessons based on state standards for science that incorporate reading, math, physical activity, and art. Outside of her class time, she works with her fellow teachers to expand opportunities for students to learn outside. Her classroom is equipped with outdoor gear for her students, so they can get outside no matter what weather Mother Nature brings. Through a collaboration with the Centerville-Washington Park District, Katie has made Village South Park her main classroom where students peek under logs, investigate mud puddles and search for wildlife. Nature-based educator Meredith Florkey recognized Katie as rising star in the field and submitted her nomination, noting the joy, belonging and confidence Katie brings to her position and her tremendous impact in fostering an atmosphere where nature is valued in the school community.
