Central’s Larry Beall: A Trailblazer in the Classroom
Here’s a sweet green story to warm things up on a cold day.
The latest DMPS teacher award du jour goes to Larry Beall at Central Campus who’s been named a 2013 Trailblazing Teacher by the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council in recognition of his pioneering work on the Iowa Sustainability Academy.
The awards are given twice a year to 10 teachers who demonstrate a commitment to advanced ecoliteracy and bring environmental sustainability into the classroom.
What has Beall done to warrant such distinction? The award announcement released by the USGBC sums it up nicely:
Larry Beall immerses students in environmental learning and action through a two year program called the Iowa Energy and Sustainability Academy (IESA). This program teaches topics related to environmental science, energy, sustainability, waste management, and related areas through hands-on field experiences. Through the intensive years of study, students earn four years of high school science credit, two years of high school math credit, and 18 college credit hours in math and science. Field experiences include visits to wind farms, wind factories, museums, and several outdoors ecology trips; and past service projects have included trips to Catalina Island and the Dominican Republic Rain Forest. Larry is working to set up a mentorship and internship program with local businesses to give his students even more opportunity for applied learning. Now in its third year, student demand for the program has risen from 18 to 60. Next fall, it is estimated to be over 120. Larry proudly points to graduates of the Iowa Energy and Sustainability Academy that have begun further study in wind technology training and Environmental Science majors at many universities.
Beall’s efforts were instrumental in Central Campus being the only Iowa school included among the first cohort of Green Ribbon Schools selected by the United States Department of Education and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2012 and DMPS being named a Green Ribbon District in 2013 when that designation was established. In accepting the district’s Energy Star Partner of the Year awards from the EPA each of the last two years for exemplary achievements in energy conservation, Chief of Operations Bill Good has emphasized that educating and training the next generation of conservators is a key element of the overall greening of DMPS. Beall is leading the way in that aspect of the district’s environmental policy and practice.
“While it is nice to be recognized it is important to note that IESA would not be where it is without the help of many folks,” said Beall. “It all started with the school board and central administration emphasizing environmental awareness and giving the go-ahead for IESA in the spring of 2010. The progress is also the direct result of the Central Campus administrators, Gary McClanahan and Julie Rosin. And I have the great privilege of working with the best students and parents anywhere.”
“Larry is nothing less than awesome as a teacher and community leader,” said McClanahan, returning the compliment. “The IESA is preparing students for a 21st century world of green building and technologies, as well as conservation and field ecology. As we developed this program we needed a teacher leader who could follow through with our mission and this recognition is well-deserved.”
So color this district a glowing shade of green with respect to its leadership and achievements in energy efficient operations and curriculum. It has truly become a national model on both fronts. Color most others just garden variety green with envy.
