KSU state specialist Jennifer Hubbard-Sánchez named 2016 National Project Learning Tree Outstanding Educator
FRANKFORT – Jennifer Hubbard-Sánchez, state specialist for sustainable programs and director of the Center for Environmental Education at Kentucky State University in Frankfort, was selected from nominees across the U.S. as one of five Outstanding Educators by Project Learning Tree® (PLT), the national environmental education program of the American Forest Foundation. This is the second time an educator from Kentucky has won the National PLT Outstanding Educator Award since its inception in 1994. In Kentucky, PLT is coordinated by the Kentucky Association of Environmental Education.
Hubbard-Sánchez is state specialist for sustainable programs and director of the Center for Environmental Education in the College of Agriculture, Food Science, and Sustainable Systems at Kentucky State University. In that role, she connects with Kentuckians of all ages, in both English and Spanish, with a special interest in teaching about climate change. She has been instrumental in making Kentucky PLT and the Kentucky Association for Environmental Education regional and national leaders in the field of environmental education.
Jennifer Hubbard-Sanchez
Hubbard-Sánchez holds a B.A. in Spanish from Saint Michael’s College in Colchester, VT, an M.A. in anthropology from the Universidad de las Américas in Puebla, Mexico, and an M.S. in environmental studies from Kentucky State University. She became a Kentucky State-Certified Professional Environmental Educator in 2014 and was honored as Kentucky PLT’s Outstanding Educator in 2015.
“She goes above and beyond in organizing and conducting PLT and other EE workshops,” said Michelle Shane, Kentucky Department of Agriculture. “Her dedication and passion are an inspiration to many environmental educators, including me.”
Hubbard-Sánchez, along with the four other educators from around the country, will be honored at PLT’s 30th International Coordinators’ Conference, May 23-26, in Salt Lake City. She is also invited to attend the World Forestry Center’s International Educators’ Institute, July 10-16, in Portland, Oregon.
“These five outstanding educators show how environmental education can inspire students to succeed,” said Kathy McGlauflin, senior vice president for education at the American Forest Foundation, in announcing the awards. “They have created extraordinary results–and the best news is that their innovative teaching techniques can apply to classrooms across the country.”
PLT Outstanding Educators are selected for their commitment to environmental education, exemplary use of Project Learning Tree’s award-winning curriculum materials and exceptional teaching skills.
###
About Project Learning Tree
Project Learning Tree® (PLT) uses trees and forests as windows on the world to increase students’ understanding of the environment. PLT provides educators with curriculum, professional development, and resources to integrate environmental education into lesson plans for all grades and subject areas, and to use the outdoors to engage students in learning about the world around them. Developed in 1976, PLT’s 50-state network includes more than 650,000 trained educators using PLT materials and 4,000 PLT GreenSchools. PLT is a program of the American Forest Foundation. In Kentucky, PLT is coordinated by the Kentucky Association of Environmental Education. For more information, visit www.plt.org .