Outstanding Educator
Melissa Eldridge
As the District Manager for Ionia Conservation District in Ionia, Michigan, Melissa Eldridge helped restore a local nature trail and promotes PLT activities.
Education Level
Outstanding Educator
Outstanding Educator
Laura Beiser
Laura Beiser is an environmental administrator with the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality in Jackson who works with nonprofits that do watershed environmental education.
Outstanding Educator
Krissy Varness
Krissy Varness teaches math and science to sixth graders at DePoali Middle School in Reno, Nevada. She is responsible for much of Nevada PLT’s rejuvenation.
Outstanding Educator
Gwynne Rife
Gwynne Rife is a professor of biology and education at the University of Findlay in Ohio who facilitates immersive PLT teacher workshops.
Outstanding Educator
Laurie Root
Laurie Root, a naturalist with South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks in Rapid City, is a hub connecting environmental educators in South Dakota.
Outstanding Educator
Michael Murphrey
Michael Murphrey, a staff forester for the Texas Forest Service in Lufkin, Texas, educates the public about conservation, especially invasives like the southern pine beetle.
Outstanding Educator
Amber Hodges
Amber Hodges is a project associate for the Virginia Cooperative Extension in Roanoke, Virginia, who provides programming to about 1,800 K–12 students per year.
Outstanding Educator
Kayleen Pritchard
Kayleen Pritchard is a consultant on science education for the Pacific Education Institute in Indianola, Washington. She integrated PLT into curricula for her school district.
Outstanding Educator
Tammy Brown
Tammy Brown is an environmental educator at Casper College in Casper, Wyoming, who teaches pre-service courses and drafted the Wyoming PLT strategic plan.
Six Steps for Successful Service Learning
A successful service-learning project is more than just volunteering—it involves students applying knowledge and skills to make a difference in their communities.