🏆 Dana Swisher Receives Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators 🏆
NEIL CUMMINS TEACHER RECEIVES PRESIDENTIAL INNOVATION AWARD FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATORS
Dana Swisher, 2nd grade teacher at Neil Cummins, receives national recognition as one of 11 selected to receive the Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators. The Hawks’ Garden has been reimagined through Ms. Swisher’s visionary work. She created environmental education and sustainability lessons taught through the Hawks’ Garden for K-5 classrooms that have transformed the space into a beautiful garden and has restored native species within the campus and adjacent park. These rich experiences have been a source of inspiration for over 500 Neil Cummins students, as well as staff members. Swisher partnered with the Corte Madera Beautification Committee, Town of Corte Madera, Neil Cummins PTO, Principal Kyle Shaw, Facilities Director Erik vonBlankenburg, as well as Neil Cummins teachers and staff to grow this garden and native species habitat into hands-on learning spaces for students. Congratulations Dana Swisher on this incredible achievement.
CONGRATULATIONS MS. SWISHER! đź‘Ź
Dana Swisher received the EPA Award in Washington DC!
Ms. Swisher, who has been an LCMSD teacher since 2006, said, "I take great joy in observing the natural world, especially the one in my own back yard. During the shutdown, I spent everyday in my home garden watching, learning, and wondering about this incredible ecosystem. I wanted to share the solace and joy I experienced at home with the student body of Neil Cummins by enhancing our very own Hawks' Garden. It has been immensely gratifying to watch The Hawks' Garden grow, blossom, and come alive. By adding California native plants that better support habitat, the garden and bordering restoration project have attracted a large variety of beneficial insects and birds, giving Neil Cummins students an opportunity to observe and engage in this vital ecosystem."
On August 4, 2022 Ms. Swisher traveled to Washington D.C. to be celebrated at the Environmental Protection Agency Awards Ceremony. The EPA’s press release stated, “Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators was established by the 1990 National Environmental Education Act. The award program seeks to support and bring public attention to outstanding environmental projects performed by teachers who go beyond textbook instruction to utilize creative experiences and enrich student learning in K-12 education. The White House Council on Environmental Quality, in partnership with EPA, administers this award. View the full list of PIAEE recipients.”
Congratulations Dana Swisher on this well-deserved award!
