Leon is Assistant Professor of Elementary
Science Education at the University of Vermont. Along with
teaching future elementary teachers “how” to teach science to young
children, Leon's overall goal is to also transform science
education. This includes making sustainability education a standard
component of his students’ science education.
Jim McCracken
Jim is a place-based educational consultant who
works in several Vermont elementary schools. He also serves as a
content specialist for the Upper Valley Linkages for Environmental
Literacy professional development grant program. Jim has a strong
interest in school gardens, watersheds and sustainability education.
Jen Cirillo
Jen coordinates Shelburne Farms'
professional development programs and directs the Sustainable
Schools Project. She works with schools to use the lens of
sustainability and place-based education to create opportunities for
youth to build a sense of self-efficacy. Jen collaborates with
educators, nonprofits, governmental agencies, funders, and
international partners to create more sustainable communities both
locally and abroad.
Corrie
Miller
As a consultant for community-based education and conservation
projects, Corrie engages communities in the celebration and
protection of the place and resources they value. She hopes to build
awareness and empower communities towards positive action. In her
current work with the Staying Connected Initiative, Corrie works in
Vermont's Northern Green Mountains to engage the communities in a
protection of the region's wildlife habitat connectivity.
Lisa Purcell
As Director of Four Winds Nature Institute, Lisa works with a
wonderful staff of naturalist-educators, scores of classroom
teachers, and more than 1,700 community volunteers to bring children
out of the classroom to learn, explore, observe and wonder. She is
passionate about community-based education that connects people with
people and with place, and she loves her work -- watching
individuals look at the world around them with new eyes. Lisa
is currently chair of Vermont SWEEP and the New England EE Alliance.
Deborah Benjamin
Debbie's
relationship with Environmental Education as a student and as an
educator has evolved over many years from grade school experiences
with a visionary teacher in outdoor settings in Massachusetts to the
present in Vermont. As Staff Naturalist for the Hazen's Notch
Association in Montgomery for the past 18 years, she has had
wonderful moments teaching young people and adults about the rich
and varied northern Green Mountains. Debbie's involvement with the
Vermont Botanical and Bird Club since 1986 (and as President since
2005) has taken her to all corners of Vermont where professional and
amateur botanists, birders and ecologists meet at an annual
conference to share their knowledge in the field.
SWEEP Member Bios -- coming soon! (send your
information to post!)