Liz Potter-Nelson

Bio

Liz Potter-Nelson (she/her) is an assistant professor of education foundations at UWSP where she teaches courses to students who want to become teachers at any grade-level. Potter-Nelson conducts research in sustainability education with a focus on how educators, at all levels holistically incorporate sustainability into their courses through the content they teach, and the pedagogies they use. Prior to joining the faculty at UWSP, Potter-Nelson taught at the University of Maine at Farmington, and she was a postdoctoral associate in the Environmental Solutions Initiative at MIT. She also has over 15 years of experience in public schools as a high school science teacher and administrator.

Experience and Interests

Teaching

• Assistant Professor of Education Foundations, UW-Stevens Point (2024-present)
• Assistant Professor, Division of Teacher Education and Division of Natural Sciences, University of Maine at Farmington (2022-2024)
• Postdoctoral Associate – Sustainability Education in the Environmental Solutions Initiative, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2021-2022)
• Stevens Point Area Public Schools (2016-2021)
• High School Science Teacher & Department Chair, Community High School District 117, Antioch/Lake Villa, IL (2007-2016)
• High School Science Teacher, Chicago Public Schools (2006-2007)

Research Interests

• Sustainability Education Postdoctoral Associate at the Environmental Solutions Initiative, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2021-2022)
• Sustainability literacy competencies; Teacher Education; Sustainability pedagogies; Intersection of sustainability education theory with practice

Presentations and Publications

Publications

• Potter-Nelson, E. & Meyers, S. (2022). An Introduction to Sustainability Education [White Paper]. Environmental Solutions Initiative at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. https://environmentalsolutions.mit.edu/intro-to-sustainability-education-white-paper/

Involvement

Campus

• IRB Committee member

Community

• Citizen Member on the Educational Services Committee, Stevens Point Area Public School Board

Professional Memberships

• Conference Proposal Reviewer, National Science Teaching Association (2022-present)
• Member, National Science Teaching Association (2006-present)

Fun Facts

Favorite Quote?

“…sustainability education is a profound act of hope in the future.” – Dr. Elizabeth Lange