Practicing teachers and education students entering the field feel the anxiety brought about by the upheaval in our K12 systems. We help them understand that times of dramatic change can also be times of great opportunity. By working with colleges of education, we provide pre- and in-service teachers proven pedagogy and rich resources to bring effective, integrated instruction to their classrooms. In doing so, we provide real hope for making a tangible difference in students’ lives and communities. Here are some examples:
We’ve been working with San Jose State University since 2011 to support pre- and in-service teacher education programs to integrate sustainability.
Our work with in-service teachers has focused on the Bay Area Earth Science Institute (BAESI), a comprehensive year-round professional development program for teachers of grades 4-12. Our Curriculum Resource Center serves as a source of materials for the in-service teachers as they learn sustainability content and bring the topics into their science classrooms.
We’ve also been supporting SJSU’s pre-service elementary certification program by helping professors integrate sustainability into required courses in social foundations and science and social studies methods. course.
Located in the heart of Detroit, Marygrove College has a strong commitment to community revitalization and social justice. To bring these issues into the teacher education program, we designed two graduate-level courses: Teaching for Sustainability, and Educating for Sustainable Food Systems.
Supporting teacher educators at multiple universities (ongoing): We’re working with a cohort of teacher education professors from multiple universities to integrate sustainability content and methods into a variety of courses. Universities include Eastern Michigan University (EMU), Michigan State University, University of Michigan, University of Cincinnati, SUNY Fredonia, Northeastern University (Boston), and Florida Gulf Coast University. Participating professors teach a wide range of courses including science, math, and social studies methods; social foundations; educational psychology; literacy and language; and educational policy.
Creative Change has collaborated with Eastern Michigan University's Social Foundations of Education Program (2003-2008) to offer graduate courses for practicing teachers. Courses wre offered as part of the Social Foundations EcoJustice Education Concentration in the Department of Teacher Education. Courses offered:
Teaching Ecological Economics: This course introduced the field of ecological economics and presented strategies for teaching it with the goal of fostering an integrated ecological, economic, and civic literacy.
Teaching for Sustainability: In this course, teachers developed develop strategies and materials to engage students as scholars and citizens in vital economic, social, and ecological issues. Participants developed interdisciplinary units and lessons that met standards, promoted critical thinking, and connected students to the community.