One of Molloy College’s distinctive educational experiences keeps learning moving forward. The knowledge shared from teacher to teacher and from teacher to student makes the program a sustainable success.
The Teaching Green Institute (TGI) offers graduate or in-service credit to approximately 40 teachers from predominately underserved schools. Nearly 300 teachers have taken advantage of the unique opportunity to participate the program. During the summer, the teachers are the students learning about environmental issues such as sustainability and renewable energy. In the fall when they return to the classroom, they impart the information to their students.
The TGI Summer Institutes engage junior high and high school teachers with coursework, lectures and field study on issues of sustainability of natural resources and environmental issues. Each summer, classes and fieldwork are held at Molloy Suffolk Center and in collaboration with Molloy's School of Education and Human Services and Sustainability Institute.
Due to COVID-19 and socially distancing requirements, this summer Molloy College held its first-ever virtual TGI for the Teaching Sustainability in the Middle School Classroom and Teaching Sustainability in the High School Classroom courses. Molloy instructors held Zoom calls for each class and the teacher participants submitted Powerpoint presentations of their work.
Paul Zaratin taught the Middle School program and concentrated on carbon footprint, sustainability and renewable energy. The High School program taught by Eric Powers focused on native plants, wildlife and people of Long Island.
National Grid Foundation has supported Molloy College and the
Teaching Green Institutes for 10 years.

Teaching Green Institute Makes It Easy to Learn About Being

• 47 teachers registered (exceeding the projection of 40-course enrollees)
  
• 40 teachers received National Grid Foundation scholarship support (21HS/19 MS), which represented 26 new and 14 returnee enrollees
  
• 26 public school districts 32 different schools) including two from New York City located in approved National Grid service areas.

by Christine Berardi

GREEN