The Guidelines for the Preparation and Professional Development of  Environmental Educators

The Guidelines are recommendations about the basic knowledge and abilities educators need to provide high-quality environmental education. The guidelines are designed to apply:

• Within the context of pre-service teacher education programs and environmental education courses offered to students with varied backgrounds such as environmental studies, geography, liberal studies, or natural resources;
• To the professional development of educators who will work in both formal and nonformal educational settings, offering programs at the pre-kindergarten through 12th grade levels; and
• To full-time environmental educators as well as for those for whom environmental education is just one of their responsibilities.

Environmental educators work in a variety of settings, at a variety of jobs. They teach in public and private classrooms, and lead activities for children and adults at nonformal educational institutions such as nature centers, zoos, museums, and parks. They teach at universities in education, environmental studies, geography, natural resource, and science programs. They develop curriculum materials and administer national, state, and local programs. Regardless of the setting, Guidelines for the Preparation and Professional Development of Environmental Educators outlines the experiences and learning that will help them deliver instruction that effectively fosters environmental literacy.
 
This document presents an ambitious overview of the abilities and knowledge of a well-prepared environmental educator. The guidelines, organized into six themes, provide a mechanism for gauging the quality of pre-service and in-service preparation programs and the abilities of environmental educators working in the field. Instead of offering fixed rules, these guidelines suggest a broad vision—a goal to work toward and a guide for professional and programmatic development.

Table of Contents

Guidelines for the Preparation and Professional Development of  Environmental Educators

Preface
Introduction	1
Environmental Education: A Vision for the Future	1
The Instructional Vision of Environmental Education	2
How to use these Guidelines	4
The Guidelines at a Glance	5
Theme #1 - Environmental Literacy	7
Theme #2 - Foundations of Environmental Education	8
Theme #3 - Professional Responsibilities of the Environmental Educator	11
Theme #4 - Planning & Implementing Environmental Education Programs	14
Theme #5 - Fostering Learning	21
Theme #6 - Assessment and Evaluation	23
Appendix: Executive Summary Excellence in Environmental Education - Guidelines for Learning (Pre K-12)	27