Spotlight on Environmental Education
Stacey Rashti
EE K-12
1. Why are you focusing on EE in your career?
Environmental education leaves the professional world wide open to a variety of compelling, interesting, and relevant possibilities. This field allows me to pursue any profession I could imagine within the realm of the environment, science, and education.
2. What is the most exciting and/or fulfilling aspect of being in the EE field/being an EE’er?
I love creating challenges that engage my students in actually doing science. I love teaching about the interconnectedness of our world, and making both science and caring for the environment relevant to all of my students. I strive to encourage my students put their new knowledge and discoveries to use for themselves, their school, and their community at large. Hearing their ideas and watching what they are able to do with this knowledge is always awe-inspiring.
3. How has Antioch prepared you for what you’re doing now?
This program has prepared me for any professional situation I wish to pursue throughout my career. I have had a wide variety of science courses as well as training in non-formal education, curriculum development, writing, social justice, environmental health, and incredible field studies courses. The flexibility of the EE program also allowed me to take several courses towards my science teaching
certification and to complete practica as a student teacher and on a local organic farm.
4. What is the funniest thing that has happened to you in your job?
I once took a group of students to a National Park where there were several ponds for us to study. One student started to chase another student with the critters he had found in the pond. He changed direction to try to catch up with her, and thought that the duckweed covered pond was solid ground. He didn’t realize his error until he was waist-deep in the water! He learned his own lesson in this case, no discipline required!
