South Middle School Educator Receives International Fellowship
Out of hundreds of applications from talented educators, Tricia Kearns of South Middle School has been selected by the nonprofit organization Ecology Project International (EPI) to participate in an eight-day Teacher Fellowship in Baja, Mexico. EPI is a field science and conservation organization that partners scientists with local and international students and educators in ecological hotspots including in Costa Rica, the Galapagos, Belize, Mexico, and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
Since 2005, EPI has reached more than 19,000 students and teachers with its Baja ,Mexico, ecology and youth leadership programs. During the upcoming EPI Fellowship, Kearns and a small group of carefully selected teachers will experience the field course for themselves, gaining skills and resources they can bring back to the classroom.
"This experience pushed me outside of my comfort zone, honed skills I already had, and taught me completely new concepts,"recalls Julia Horton, a 2018 EPI Teacher Fellow. "The entire professional development accomplished more of my bucket list items than any other trip or training."
On this year's 10th annual EPI Fellowship, Kearns will be immersed in the diverse ecology of the area, home to 39% of the world's marine mammal species. Days will be spent on Espiritu Santo Island, a UNESCO-protected biosphere reserve, and will involve underwater data collection and lessons in incorporating field studies into the classroom. The group will also meet with Mexican students and explore the cultural heritage of the city of La Paz.
This EPI Teacher Fellowship takes place March 5-12, 2022. For information on EPI';s programs or how teachers can apply for next year's EPI Teacher Fellowships, visit their website at www.ecologyproject.org/teacher-fellowships.
About EPI
Established in 2001, EPI's mission is to inspire youth with nature and empower them with science, fostering tomorrow's leaders. EPI envisions a diverse movement building communities that cherish and restore the ecosystems that sustain them.