RVCS teacher accepted into Education for Sustainability Leadership Academy
Lisa Masi, a resident of Green Township and a longtime teacher and Leadership Team member at Ridge and Valley Charter School in Blairstown has been accepted into the first ever Education for Sustainability Leadership Academy at Shelburne Farms. Shelburne is an internationally-known non-profit organization educating for a sustainable future. The home campus is a 1,400-acre working farm, forest, and National Historic Landmark in Shelburne, VT.
Masi was just one of 14 educational leaders from around the country to be chosen. Participants include classroom teachers, sustainability coordinators, education program directors, and principals. The EFS Leadership Academy meets five times throughout the course of the year and brings together Shel-burne Farms staff with experts in the field of education, systems-thinking and leadership, to support the participants in developing a peer network committed to ecological integrity, economic vitality, and social justice. Over the first two days of convening, the group shared their experiences in education for sustainability and began shaping their vision for how to make a difference in the lives of children, families and communities, centered around the schools and organizations in which they work.
Masi, who has been with Ridge and Valley Charter School since its inception and is a founding member of the school, has dedicated her life to educating students about sustainability by connecting them to the natural world. On a typical school day she can be found tapping maple trees with kindergarteners while weaving in science and math lessons, taking educational class trips to the local Community Supported Garden as well as integrating the study of monarch butterflies with language arts lessons, biology exploration and art projects. She is beloved by students and parents alike.
Masi reflects, �Being a part of the EFS Leadership Academy has given me the opportunity to work with leaders in the field of Educating for Sustainability. The wealth of information and experience in the group is supporting my own efforts, at Ridge and Valley Charter School and beyond, to inspire and support sustainability work.�
To learn more about this program or other professional learning programs at Shelburne Farms visit the website at www.shelburnefarms.org. To learn more about Ridge and Valley Charter School visit www.ridgeandvalley.org or attend a school open house and tour by calling 908-362-1114.