Sheila Jones received an award from the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) for Outstanding Service to EE by a K-12 Educator. The award is given each year to an educator who teaches grades K-12 and makes a significant contribution to helping students learn about the environment.
Wake District Educator Sheila Jones Receives International Environmental Award
Jones accepted the award on Saturday, October 15, 2011, at the 2011 NAAEE Conference in Raleigh, NC. This annual, week-long event provides professional development for formal and non-formal environmental educators from all 50 U.S. states, Canadian provinces, and more than 50 countries.
“I’m deeply honored to receive this prestigious award from NAAEE, the professional organization for the world’s environmental educators,” said Jones. “I’ve been fortunate to work in environmental education for 26 years, teaching people of all ages that we’re all a part of nature, not apart from nature.”
“Environmental literacy is an essential 21st Century skill for today’s children and tomorrow’s leaders. Environmental education will enable them to resolve environmental challenges and prevent new ones in innovative ways. I celebrate this award with all my fellow environmental educators who are making a world of difference by empowering people to love and care for this phenomenal planet that gives us life.”
NAAEE presented Jones with an original award handcrafted from North Carolina clay. Seagrove potter Meredith Heywood of Whynot Pottery created a glazed tile featuring an oak tree to commemorate NAAEE’s 40th Anniversary Conference in Raleigh, the City of Oaks.
“There’s no better award than a beautiful tile made of earth for an environmental educator that teaches about soil and water!” exclaimed Jones. “This is what Dirt Divas dream about!”
Way to go Sheila!
We are very proud of Sheila. She is a dynamo, and very creative in her teaching methods.
Thank you Robin! It was such a complete and wonderful surprise! I’m still pinching myself!