Robert Rutherford, September 5, 2002

A Unique Masters Program Available for Teachers

Why do most people think that Environmental Education is the responsibility of science teachers?

At the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point, the College of Natural Resources knows otherwise!

The College has a Master of Science in Natural Resources/Environmental Education open to all teachers, public and private, high school and elementary, it makes no difference.  The program is designed for all teachers.

This M.S. Program, the only one in Environmental Education offered in Wisconsin, is designed to increase the knowledge and leadership skills of any teachers who wants to include environmental education in their curriculum.

Since the Program’s inception in 1992, almost 100 teachers have earned graduate degrees through it.  In fact, the 100^th graduate should complete all of their requirements in 2002!

Cindy Ice from Crandon High School is one the recent graduates.  Each teacher completes graduate coursework and a project that involves them in a leadership role in their school or community.  For Ice, her project involved the creation of a technology enriched environmental education curriculum at each grade level.  By writing grants she was able to purchase technology equipment for her school.

Teachers entering the program have a wide variety of classes to choose from.  They take classes that will help them plan a field trip, monitor environmental quality, and learn how to become a leader.

Tracy Swedlund is a Medford Biology Teachers.  He moved to Wisconsin from Colorado 4 years ago.  According to Swedlund, the program really helped him with his basic knowledge of Wisconsin’s natural history.

Classes covering all aspects of Wisconsin Natural History, from Forestry to Geology to Land Use to Wisconsin Lakes, are available in the Program.

The classes are designed for a teacher’s busy schedule.  Classes offered in the summer are usually one credit and provide for a total of 16 hours of face to face instruction.  They may meet for four days over a two week period, Tuesdays and Thursdays for example, or may meet over four consecutive days.

Classes are packaged in clusters, groups that complement each other and offer the opportunity to earn multiple credits over the 6 weeks courses are offered in summer.

Teachers can pick and choose from the groups to earn as many credits as they feel they can handle in a given summer.

On-line courses (courses offered over the Internet) are a growing component of the Program with 5 credits currently available.  These courses are offered during the regular school year so that teachers can progress towards their degree all year-round if they choose.

In addition, nine credits can be transferred in from other institutions.

According to Dawn Pfaff from Mequon, there is more to the program than academics:  “This program helps to establish camaraderie amongst teachers across the state.  Lasting friendships have been built.  My classroom has been enriched over the last three years by this program.”

Teachers entering this program should be prepared to make new friends, and be ready to try new ideas and lessons shared by others in the program.  You will become part of a team of teachers from all over Wisconsin and the United States.  You will have a lifetime source of new ideas and curriculum material to continue to refresh your teaching for years to come.

Barbara Miller is an Art Teacher from Brodhead who completed the Program in 2001.  Miller was particularly impressed by the Program faculty and what they are trying to do for the students and teachers of Wisconsin, “The instructors in this Program are professionals in every way.  You become part of their family.  I doubt that many other M.S. Programs can make that claim.”

Every member of the faculty listens, advises, and helps out in any way they can for the students.

To become part of this program, teachers must have at least on year of experience in the classroom and plan on continuing in the teaching profession.  

Robert Rutherford graduated from the Program in 2001.

For more information, please contact: Tim Byers, Outreach Program Manager, Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education, Room 110 College of Natural Resources, UW-Stevens Point, Stevens Point WI  54481.  You can e-mail Tim at tbyers@uwsp.edu or call 715-346-4176.

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