Earth Steward Teaching Award 2024 Winners
2024 Award Recipients
The following educators have been chosen as the recipients of LSF’s 2024 Susan Langley Earth Steward Teaching Awards to recognize teachers for their exemplary contribution to sustainability education in Canada. This year’s winners and runners up demonstrate exceptional leadership in sustainability education, are recognized as inspirations to their students and school community, and have taken on creative, innovative projects to advance sustainability learning and education.
Winners
Congratulations to Jenna Forslund & Katie Croft! Learn more about the amazing work they are both doing below:
Jenna Forslund
Elmwood High School, Winnipeg MB
Jenna is a teacher at Elmwood High School in Winnipeg, MB, that integrates sustainability principles into every aspect of her teaching by aligning her work with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She leads by example, demonstrating her commitment to sustainability every day through reducing waste, improving energy efficiency and advocating for environmental stewardship. Jenna provided her students with various initiatives such as coding sustainable cities in Minecraft (SDG 11), celebrating Black History Month with a Freedom Quilt (SDG 10), collaborating with Indigenous knowledge keepers to explore cultural significance (SDG 4) and much more. Her commitment extends beyond the classroom, mentoring both students and colleagues by facilitating knowledge-sharing sessions and workshops to nurture their passion for sustainability. Jenna also guides an after-school coding club for girls (SDG 5), that empowers young girls in STEM while addressing environmental challenges. With a holistic approach that embraces Indigenous wisdom and emphasizing long term impact, Jenna models sustainability as both a daily practice and a lifelong commitment to fostering a more inclusive, equitable and sustainable future.
Katie is a passionate and innovative teacher at the Saint Anne Catholic Elementary School in Kitchener, ON, who empowers her students to address real-world sustainability challenges through Project-Based Learning. Her Grade 2 students tackle issues like reducing single-use plastics, composting and improving recycling, all while engaging in hands-on experiences such as field trips to Laurel Creek and the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory. Through outdoor projects like Courtyard Challenge, which engages students and colleagues in the transformation of the school’s courtyard into a classroom and collaborations with local organizations such as Conestoga College which offers students improved ecological awareness through the Poppy Seed Kit project. Katie fosters a deep connection to nature and ecological awareness in her students. As the leader of the garden club, she transforms outdoor spaces into vibrant classrooms, promoting environmental stewardship through activities like creating art from natural resources, inspired by artist Andy Goldsworthy. As a Métis Cree educator, Katie incorporates Indigenous wisdom into her curriculum, sharing cultural heritage and fostering reconciliation through projects like talking sticks and Indigenous artwork. Her leadership has been an inspiration as she mobilizes the school community through student-led clubs, community service events, and celebrations of sustainability achievements, all aimed at building a greener future.
Katie Croft
Saint Anne Catholic Elementary School, Kitchener ON
Runners-up
Congratulations to the following runners-up! Learn more about the amazing work they are doing below:
Rosa Alaimo
Eenchokay Birchstick School, Pikangikum First Nation
Rosa, a passionate educator at Eenchokay Birchstick School in Pikangikum First Nation, excels in inspiring her students to tackle social and environmental justice issues through creative and practical solutions. By integrating the principle of “think global, act local”, Rosa guides her students to address global problems like pollution and fast fashion through innovative projects, such as Design Thinking processes and encouraging students to enter Science Fairs. Rosa also integrates Indigenous knowledge, collaborating with Elders to create educational resources in Anishinaabemowin. Rosa has had a large community impact through her innovative inquiry projects like creating large carved stamps to raise awareness about Indigenous communities. The stamp was a poster of protest or awareness to speak up about the issue affecting Indigenous communities that spoke to them. This impact is felt throughout the school, where she motivates students and colleagues and fosters a culture of environmental responsibility.
Robert is a dedicated educator at New Myrnam School in Myrnam, Alberta known for his innovative approach to teaching sustainability. By integrating sustainability across various subjects and utilizing project-based and inquiry based learning, he encourages critical thinking and problem solving skills in his students. He effectively uses technology to simulate environmental scenarios and tracks the impact of sustainability initiatives, while his hands-on projects, like designing solar tracking systems and conducting energy audits, make learning more impactful. Robert also mentors students and colleagues by leading them to different career pathways in science, engages with the community by encouraging contributions to sustainability efforts, and incorporates Indigenous knowledge into his curriculum. His leadership in collaborative projects, involvement in the Alberta Envirothon and much more all highlight his dedication to empowering the next generation of sustainability leaders.
Robert Tymofichuk
New Myrnam School, Myrnam AB
Roxanne Ilagan
Senpaqcin School, Oliver BC
Roxanne is a teacher at Senpaqcin School in Oliver, BC, who excels in integrating sustainability into her classroom through creative and practical projects. She has led various field trips to explore sustainability in the community and encourages her students to participate in projects like creating art and puppets from recyclables and managing a vermicomposting system. Roxanne also helps manage the student garden and engage students in sustainable practices. Her commitment extends to helping organize school events, such as clothing swaps and Earth Day activities. Her students’ learning is enhanced in the classroom with Okanagan Language classes and on the land by taking part in traditional practices like exploring the salmon collection, tea picking, and bitter root digging. Roxanne’s efforts to incorporate Indigenous knowledge and language further demonstrate her dedication to fostering cultural understanding and environmental stewardship.
Teaching at École Pointe-des-Chênes in Ste-Anne, Manitoba, Rosanne is deeply passionate about nature, with a wealth of knowledge and experience in sustainability and social responsibility. Her creativity allows her to integrate environmental topics into every subject she teaches. Recently, she transformed the school’s front lawns into a butterfly garden as part of her art class. Wherever she goes, she gathers allies to create environmental awareness, establishing community gardens and reviving the school’s recycling program. Her students learn about their ecological footprint and how to act for sustainable development. She leads by example, inspiring her students to actively participate in environmental projects. Her classroom, filled with plants and visual reminders of sustainability, extends its impact beyond the school. Rosanne’s efforts empower students and the community to embrace a sustainable future, making her a model for change and a mentor to many.
Rosanne Dupuis
École Pointe-des-Chênes, Ste-Anne MB
Honourable Mentions
Congratulations to:
- Petra Snook – Xavier Junior High School (Deer Lake, NL)
- Ceren Caner – South Canoe Outdoor Learning School (Salmon Arm, BC)
- Ainsley Albert – Inuksuk High School (Iqaluit, NU)
- Kim Hartikainen – Chief Peguis Middle School (Winnipeg, MB)
- Jessica Del Sole – Topcliff Public School (Toronto, ON)
