Teacher Opportunities
Teacher Workshops
Geauga SWCD offers annual summer educator workshops! Welcoming educators of all grades and disciplines, these rewarding workshops offer valuable training, engaging lessons, outdoor experiences, and graduate credit through Ashland University. District educators are certified facilitators for the following environmental educational curriculums: Project WILD, Aquatic WILD, Growing Up WILD, Science and Civics, Project WET, Project Learning Tree, The Wonders of Wetlands, Healthy Water Healthy People, and Climate Change Focused Guides. Don't miss these professional development opportunties like no other!
The Wonders of Watersheds (WOW)
The 2024 WOW workshop - A Rally for Wetlands - is taking place Monday, June 24 - Wednesday, June 26th and registration is now OPEN!
2024 REGISTRATION INFORMATION
The Geauga and Portage SWCDs also partner to host exciting, local educator workshops with various concentrations. Times and locations vary each day, but are typically held 8:00 am - 5:00 pm in various locations throughout Geauga and Portage Counties. Participants receive training, resources, and curriculum guides, along with the opportunity to go on many interesting field trips! Resource specialists from many agencies including ODNR Divisions of Wildlife and Forestry, local park districts, and nearby universities share knowledge and lessons, and one to two graduate credits are offered through Ashland University. Stay tuned for more information!
Advanced Wonders of Watersheds
Stay tuned for information on future Advanced WOW workshops.
The Advanced Wonders of Watersheds is a tried-and-true, yet newly-adapted 3-day program that investigates water quality, soil health, climated, land use issues, and our link to the Lake Erie Basin. This intensive experience includes scientific investigations, hands-on and inquiry-based activities, and Lake Erie data collection with researchers from Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Reserve. Join us and learn new ways to meet content standards through engaging lessons, outdoor experiences, and real-world applications of increasingly important water quality and land use issues. Participants receive Healthy Water Healthy People, The Wonders of Wetlands, Project Aquatic WILD, and Teachers on the Estuary (T.O.T.E.) curriculum guides. One, two, or three graduate credits are available through Ashland University. The registration fee for this workshop is $295 and covers the cost of all expenses excluding graduate credits. Workshops featured in Farm and Dairy article!
Soil to Spoon Educators Workshop
This is a workshop that will expose educators to the curriculum of Nutrients for Life Foundation. Visits to several local agricultural establishments such as a large dairy farm, orchard, and crop farm may also be incorporated. If you are interested in a workshop, please contact Katie Nainiger, 440-834-1122, ext. 1765 to schedule a Soil to Spoon Workshop for your school or group.
Agriculture Resources for Teachers
"Ag in the Classroom" Grant
Are you an educator with a fantastic idea to add the amazing world of agriculture into your classroom? Have you met roadblocks financially? Let Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District help you put that idea into action! Geauga SWCD will be offering "Ag in the Classroom" grants up to $1,000. Geauga "Ag in the Classroom" grant for 2023-2024, for more information or questions contact
Katie Nainiger or call 440.834.1122. ext. 1765.
2021-2022 Spring
2020-2021 Spring
2019-2020 Fall
2019-2020 Spring
"Ag in the Classroom" Grant recipients Lisa Starr of Burton Elementary for her Greenhouse Growing Project and Terry Markoff, Madeline Ramsey and Viktoryia Taran of Kenston High School for their Pollinator/Butterfly Garden. Congratulations!!
"Ag in the Classroom" Grant recipient Amy Hochschild of Burton Elementary School.This year's recipient, Amy Hochschild, a 6th grade teacher at Burton Elementary received $954.00 to instill excitement and curiosity in her students as they discover the wonderful world of soil through exploration and hands-on activities. Ms. Hochschild shares "that it is her passion to instill in her students the dire need to become involved in correcting the harm and protecting the future through re-using, reducing, and repurposing all we can with everyday efforts."Congratulations to Amy Hochschild at Burton Elementary School for her passion and desire to explore the world beneath our feet.
"Ag in the Classroom" Grant recipient Anthony Forfia of Gaitway High School
This year's recipient, Anthony Forfia, school administrator at Gaitway High School in Chagrin Falls received $900.00 to enhance his project “The Benefits of Gardening: Extending the Growing Season.” Mr. Forfia along with the advisory committee comprised of Aaron Hendrickson, Morgan Shannon, Leslie Mapes and Bill McSherry.“The project will be used to benefit students who are challenged by social and emotion needs and help them develop social skills as well as 21st century employability skills. We will be using Geauga county resources-both physical and research-based resources to gain knowledge and teach environmentally sound horticultural practices. In doing so, students will explore not only economic benefits, but also fiscal and emotional benefits of maintaining close ties to our food resources. It is our desire to see students advance in collaborative skills, communication skills, math skills, and economic skills.” shares Anthony Forfia.Congratulations to Anthony Forfia and his team at Gaitway High School for their hard work and dedication to environmental education!
"Ag in the Classroom" Grant recipient Mike Sustin of West Geauga High School
Congratulations Mike Sustin of West Geauga High School was awarded the Geauga SWCD "Ag in the Classroom" Grant to assist with the continued growth of his Aquaponics project. The goal of the project is to engage students in the feeding a growing population. Science students are responsbile for fish and feeding a growing populations. Science students are respnsible for fish and plant health and maintaining a healthy chemical and nutrient balance. Fruits of their labor are yummy Thai basil, arugula and leaf lettuce. We look forward to watching this project "grow" and are proud to partner with locals schools to assist in innovative education.