SEDI honors region teachers with $500 awards

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - The Sustainable Economic Development Initiative (SEDI) is now accepting applications for its Sustainability in Education for the 21st Century Awards. This awards program provides cash prizes to the region's teachers for incorporating sustainability concepts into classroom instruction and projects.

Teachers from Coconino County, Winslow and Verde Valley schools are all eligible. Application categories are grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12. The application can be downloaded at www.sedinaz.org/sei/teachers-award.

Sustainable thinking will be required by tomorrow's citizens and leaders. In meeting challenges, today's students must learn that parts of a system - such as people, economies and societies - belong to a larger whole. SEDI recognizes teachers who are fostering an understanding that the health of people and economies is connected to the health of natural systems.

Last year's winners included teachers from Puente de Hozho, Knoles School, and the Flagstaff Arts and Leadership Academy (FALA). Among those winners is Rosemary Logan. Guided by Logan's lesson plan, FALA's 10-12th grade students learned about the Colorado Plateau's indigenous inhabitants, whose sustainable lifestyle endured for thousands of years.

"I think students learned how important and deeply connected biological and cultural-linguistic diversity are," Logan said.

The contest period is the 2010/2011 academic year. Up to four prizes of $500 each will be awarded.

Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. May 13.

About SEDI

SEDI is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing sustainable economic development in northern Arizona by providing enabling, facilitating, and collaborative support to businesses, educational and government entities, and other organizations that are working to increase social equity, economic prosperity, and ecological health in the region.

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