LWSD-Redmond High School Environmental Sciences teacher Mike Town (left) will appear on KCTS 9’s - 17th annual Golden Apple Awards, which airs statewide 8PM this Wednesday 2/25. Mr. Town was awarded the prestigious Stanley O. McNaughton Award for his excellence in Washington state education.Please don't forget to tune in and celebrate our famous teacher's success this Wednesday night at 8PM on KCTS - 9.
The broadcast will include short documentary-style segments of the award winners in action and highlights of the award ceremony held at Seattle’s Intiman Theatre in January, where an array of guest speakers paid tribute to the local award winners and institutions that continually raise the standard of Washington state education. Speakers included Bill Gates Sr., Co-Chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the newly-elected Superintendent of Public Instruction, Randy Dorn, and the Lieutenant Governor of the State, Brad Owen. Maurice “Moss” Bresnahan, President and CEO of KCTS 9, and Stanley W. McNaughton, President and CEO of PEMCO Insurance, also discussed how community partnerships extend the impact of educational programs and support lifelong learning.
Mike Town, Teacher, A.P. Environmental Science, grades 11-12, Redmond High School, Lake Washington School District is known throughout his school district for his passion for environmental science. He personally advocates for all students to have access to rigorous A.P. courses and believes strongly that if a student is introduced to college course material and receives credit, the odds of them attending college will increase dramatically. Because of this, Mike opens his six A.P. courses to all students with great success; 50 percent of the student body is enrolled in his courses, and 90 percent of his students score well enough on exams to earn college credit. Outside the classroom, Mike mentors the Environmental Club, which successfully reduced the school’s carbon footprint by implementing environmental changes at the school, including solar panels, a recycling program and environmentally friendly practices in the cafeteria. Under his guidance—and starting from his “simple idea” to invigorate the student body with pride in their environment and their school”—the students launched the Cool Schools campaign. The campaign challenged teachers to reduce their classroom’s carbon dioxide emissions by 2000 pounds, with a plan to achieve a 46-ton reduction. Ultimately, the electricity bills revealed that over 72 tons of carbon dioxide emissions were prevented. This “green school” concept has been replicated at 17 other district schools and has received the Presidential Environmental Youth Award, first and second prizes in Washington State University’s “Imagine Tomorrow” contest, and entry into the Congressional record. Mike’s teaching philosophy holds that change begins in the classroom. As students become passionate and learn about combating global warming, they bring these lessons home to their families and friends.
Congratulations to Mike Town. The community is lucky to have him as an educator. His approach is sorely needed to make education meaningful to our kids. Giving all students the chance to step up to the plate and learn is exciting.
ReplyDeleteBut the real world experience of actually making changes in the carbon footprint of the school is a huge step in improving the environment and in the education of its students.
Real life experiences, not just learning in a classroom, are what the students will remember and take with them in their own lives as adults.
Good points, Ms. Sinick. The city has started an Adopt-A-Park program for restoration of natural areas in city parks. Invasive plants will be removed and other restorative efforts. Norah Kates of the Cascade Conservancy is coordinating the program. She is scheduling a meeting on 3/14 at 9AM at Grasslawn parks. If you or your community minded realtors have interest you may call Norah at 206-905-6943.
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