Go hug a tree at the the Sustainable Forestry Teachers’ Academy
February 3, 2009
As a teacher, you have a wonderful, and enviable, situation over the summer – so much time! One way to fill some of your time is to attend the Sustainable Forestry Teachers’ Academy. This is a free, week-long session of professional development open to all North Carolina teachers. There are two options for attendance — the Mountain Academy in Asheville, or the Coastal Academy in New Bern. The Academy is organized through the NC Forestry Association and the Forestry and Environmental Outreach Program at NC State.
During your week of professional development, you’ll learn about all aspects of forestry — from the ecology of forests, to the importance of managing forests for different purposes, to the making of all sorts of products from the forest. If you think like I did before attending the Academy, you might think forestry and foresters are bad. You won’t completely shake that bias during the workshop — most of the sponsors and cooperating agencies have to do with managing or profiting from forests — but you will learn about a positive side of forestry that you probably didn’t think about before. Also, the organizers do an excellent job of providing curriculum resources so that you can integrate what you’re learning into many subject areas in your classroom. Throughout the whole week, you’ll be treated very well — nice lodging, nice meals, and great networking opportunities. I can vouch for this workshop from personal experience because I attended a few years ago. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and participants will be notified by May 8, 2009. This workshop will be a great way for you to hug a tree, and get CEUs while you do it. –REBECCAH HAINES
Sustainable Forestry Teachers’ Academy
