(Pictures from left to right, Barbara Ward-Lawe, Mark Ziesmer, & Cyndy Mandel. All three teachers are from the Hesperia School District.)

TOP ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATORS

HONORED BY MEEC

Three High Desert educators were recognized for their commitment to promoting environmental education in the classroom as the Mojave Environmental Education Consortium (MEEC) presented its inaugural “Teacher of the Year” awards on April 26, during a ceremony held in Silverlakes, CA.

Mark Ziesmer, a Physics and Chemistry teacher at Sultana High School in Hesperia, was honored with the top “MEEC Teacher of the Year” award.  Ziesmer was nominated for his ability to make science come alive in the classroom and for bringing the Green Schools and STEM (Savings Through Energy Management) programs to Sultana High School.  As part of their involvement with the two programs, Ziesmer’s students made presentations to school staff on how they could help cut the school’s energy bills.  As a result of their efforts, Sultana has saved over $100,000 to date, according to school Principal Michael R. Smith, who also credits Ziesmer with inspiring many of his students to major in physics and related sciences in college.  In addition to receiving a commemorative plaque, Ziesmer was also awarded $300 and a palm pilot, courtesy of Staples.

Cyndy Mandel of Topaz Elementary and Barbara Ward-Lawe of Desert Trails High School in Hesperia received MEEC’s second-place “Teacher of Excellence” awards.  Mandel, a fifth grade educator, was nominated by her Principal Alan Giles for planning and organizing a variety of environmentally-themed field trips for her students and for successfully applying for several environmental education grants on behalf of her school.   She also developed a “community garden” at her school site, which she uses to teach students about plants, recycling and related environmental topics.

Although Ward-Lawe is a high school counselor, she is passionate about teaching her high-risk students about environmental responsibility.  Ward-Lawe was responsible for starting both Mojave High School and Desert Trails’ recycling programs before recycling was “in,” according to the nomination submitted by her Principal, Arlene Gluck.  Ward-Lawe’s students will use funds from the recycling program to construct awnings designed to block sunlight and reduce energy consumption at Desert Trails.  Both Mandel and Ward Lawe received $100, in addition to commemorative plaques for their efforts.

MEEC is a public-private partnership of more than 30 local businesses and organizations, whose aim is to link High Desert educators with quality environmental education resources to help them meet state standards, free of charge.  MEEC is headquartered at the Mojave Desert AQMD in Victorville, CA.  For more information on MEEC’s services to teachers, call (760) 245-1661, ext. 6104.