Cedar Ridge Elementary teacher Jen Heyer has been awarded The Presidential Innovation Award from the United States Environmental Protection Agency for her work on using the environment as a context for her curriculum.
“I love the excitement that my students bring to class every day and their constant need for more information. It pushes me not only as a teacher, but as a learner as well. I love when we have those moments that we are truly learning from each other,” said Heyer.
The Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators recognizes outstanding kindergarten through grade 12 teachers who employ innovative approaches to environmental education and use the environment as a context for learning for their students. She will receive her award in Washington D.C. in July.
“It was exciting to be recognized nationally for something that I started for the pure reason of getting kids outside more so they could be in connected with nature,” said Heyer.
Heyer’s work in the classroom was also featured on KARE 11.