GM Foundation gives Youngstown teacher GREEN award

Staff report

Youngstown

A Volney Rogers Sixth and Seventh Grade Academy teacher has won a Chevrolet GREEN Educator Award.

Nora McDevitt, a science teacher, won the award from Earth Force and the General Motors Foundation, which recognizes teachers, college professors and volunteers who integrate environmental education into school and community programs.

McDevitt works with the GM GREEN mentors at the Lordstown GM complex, as well as mentors from Youngstown State University to provide self-directed environmental civics lessons for her students.

“We are excited to join Earth Force in honoring Ms. McDevitt for her amazing work fostering the next generation of leaders,” Vivian Pickard, president of the GM Foundation, said in a news release. “Educators like Ms. McDevitt represent the very best of our educational system, and we are proud to join them in engaging America’s youth as leaders.”

A group of students is working with Earth Force to begin a four-year project to teach their peers about the school’s namesake and its wise use of resources.

Students also are involved in the GREEN water-monitoring program, with mentors from the Lordstown GM facility. They used rain barrels in the garden project to lessen storm-water drainage problems in Ax Run Creek, which runs behind the school to Mill Creek Park.

“It is such an honor for Earth Force to recognize educators, like Nora, for the Chevrolet GREEN Educator Award,” said Lisa Bardwell, president/CEO of Earth Force. “She has gone above and beyond the call of duty to inspire and support her students in taking action to improve their communities.

Educators including K-12 classroom teachers, higher-education faculty and community-based instructors who have made a substantial effort to promote environmental engagement for youth are eligible for the award.

The GM Foundation and Earth Force will reward five educators each month in the search to find the 20 best “GREEN” educators nationwide.

Winners also will be featured on the Earth Force website, along with their teaching tools and ways they get students involved. Some prerequisites for award winners are: keeping students active in their community, helping students understand the importance of the relationship between civic life and environmental health and encouraging other educators, administrators and community members to do the same.

To nominate a “GREEN” educator, visit www.greeneducator.org.