Program Benefits

1.     Substitute teacher days are often “lost” teaching days because it’s challenging to provide substitute teaching plans that are content-specific and simple enough for substitutes to follow. Consequently, students are generally unenthusiastic about the lessons and activities, often resulting in behavior problems.

2.     Real-world information taught by trained substitute teachers will turn sub days into in-school field trips and introduce students to hopeful solutions and lucrative career pathways.

3.     There is a shortage of teachers and substitute teachers. Clean Economy Educators can help fill this gap.

4.     Most schools teach little about the environment and potential careers in the emerging clean economy. This education is critical to the health and welfare of humanity.  With today’s climate emergency already destabilizing our world and touching many aspects of our lives, we need an educated workforce.

5.     Scores of organizations are clamoring to get into schools but do not have the bandwidth to develop relationships with dedicated teachers willing to do extra coordination. Clean Economy Educators make it easy for teachers of any subject to connect with innovative thought leaders to bring in as guest teachers.

Implementation & Outcomes Overview

Clean Economy Educators aim to be in schools for at least 40 days of the 165 annual mandatory school days for the pilot program, reaching approximately 4,900 students annually. (High school teachers have an average of 122.5 students x 40 days = 4,900 students.) In the second year, we intend to double the number of days in schools.  Students’ knowledge will be assessed through brief online entry and exit surveys on their Chromebooks/iPads. 

Expected Academic Outcomes

Increased Knowledge of Environmental Issues: Through real-world, content-specific lessons delivered by trained substitute teachers and area experts, students will gain a deeper understanding of critical environmental topics. Entry and exit surveys will assess student knowledge before and after the lessons, measuring growth in awareness of climate change, sustainability, and other key environmental issues.

Enhanced Engagement and Participation: The program aims to improve student enthusiasm and participation by transforming “lost” substitute days into high-value content. The engaging content and innovative teaching methods will increase classroom involvement and reduce behavior problems commonly associated with substitute days.

Career Pathway Awareness: The program will introduce students to diverse career opportunities in the growing clean energy economy. Industry professionals will design and teach lessons that highlight various roles within environmental fields, helping students identify potential career paths and spark interest in pursuing relevant education and training.

Improved Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills: Clean Economy Educators will challenge students to think critically about environmental challenges and develop creative solutions. Through interactive activities, discussions, and project-based learning, students will enhance their analytical and problem-solving skills, which are essential for academic success and future careers.

Equity in Education: The program emphasizes reaching BIPOC communities that are disproportionately affected by climate change. By prioritizing these communities, Clean Economy Educators will help close the educational gap and promote equity in environmental education, ensuring that all students have access to knowledge and opportunities in the clean economy.

Assessment and Continuous Improvement: The program will use brief online entry and exit surveys to assess student learning and gather feedback on the curriculum’s effectiveness. These surveys will be conducted on students’ Chromebooks or iPads and will provide data to continually refine and improve lesson plans.

Measurable Goals

Reach and Impact: Educate at least 4,900 students annually (approximately 122.5 students per day over 40 days) during the pilot program, with a two-year target of educating at least 9,800 students.

Knowledge Improvement: Aim for at least a 30% improvement in student scores from pre-lesson to post-lesson surveys, indicating a significant gain in environmental knowledge and awareness.

Career Interest: Aim for a 20% increase in students expressing interest in pursuing clean energy careers, as measured through exit surveys.

Student Engagement: Reduce reported behavior issues by 50% on substitute days and an increase in positive feedback from both students and teachers.