Research in Kenya how Wangari Maathai and her Green Belt Movement catalyzed environmentalism to inspire similar strategies as a framework for student leaders' community action plans.
I appreciate what I am able to do, what I am able to contribute and be able to survive off of when it comes to being a responsible citizen of the world. I know how to cultivate seedlings and saplings with minimal resources (good road network, access to water, compacted soil) and the importance of diversifying plant species for overall forest health. I now realize the magnitude of underground water systems and aerial transpiration for local and global weather patterns. I want to plant more trees!
The most important aspects of my instructional practice are to understand the causes of the symptoms occurring within our school community. Community empowerment can identify solutions to problems that are sustainable for all livelihoods if it is managed in my students' own words and friendship. No matter how small, there must my some 'thing' we each can do to contribute as part of a greater whole that is managed and shared together equitably. Focusing on our capabilities and capacities is vital
Learning from the people I got to meet. Each one of them helped me understand a different aspect of how one can live, work, and view life. There are still the luxuries of the 21st century in Kenya, but many of the people I interacted with appreciate, respect, and value the simplicity of what their natural environment gives them and loves learning more about it. There's a certain freedom that comes from following your own strength and conscience to re-imagine what I have, can, and will do.
Students will look at their community from a different angle: through a vision of climate justice and global citizenship that needs to be shared with our schools, families and friends. After the experience of climate crisis through Harvey, learning how to re-establish environmental responsibility and actively shaping our future by presenting their ideas, organizing planting parties, and working with the broader community are all ways in which my students gain broader access to leaving an impact
My co-advisor and I are already planning out the beginning of our year with how to lay the foundation for a globally conscious leader in this year's group of AGENTS. We have contacted Plant for the Planet to determine the guidelines we need to host an academy for Climate Justice Ambassadors at our school. We are also reaching out to our district's Education Foundation to help us find like-minded businesses and organizations within our community that will support and donate their time to us.
I can't wait to show them the process I went through so they can identify what aspects they will connect to and continue! Besides presenting to each other and our school community what they have internalized, they can connect with our district Education Foundation to request hosting an Academy for Climate Justice Ambassadors and work towards being a part of planting a trillion trees worldwide by 2020. The celebration will be in the planting of trees at our school once they have the framework!
Our school has lost two thirds of the trees that use to be on or border our campus. Additionally, there is a huge push to put more technology into students' hands instead of conserve the rapidly changing and eroding natural environment we go to school in. We would like to join the Trillion Tree Campaign to stop talking and start planting. With the resources from the Green Belt Movement and Plant for the Planet, we can empower our school and district with environmental conservation knowledge.
We are capable of living with so little, and yet we take so much. There is beauty and inspiration in our environment that protects and provides for our survival. Instead, we are digging our own graves by uprooting trees. Trees cycle and create water routes, balance climate patterns near and far, and give shelter and respite to all living things. The more we tend to the Earth, with patience, diligence, and respect, the more we would get back from it. Environmental consciousness is sorely needed.
FUND FOR TEACHERS ©