Published: September 06, 2007 09:15 am      

Model educator wins award

A Model Laboratory High School educator recently was recognized as Kentucky Conservation Teacher of the Year.

Susan Neumann, who teaches life science, anatomy, environmental science and photography, received the honor recently from the Kentucky Association of Conservation Districts at its annual awards banquet in Louisville.

“It’s for all of Kentucky,” she said about the award. “I’m very proud.”

Neumann, who is in her sixth year at Model, came to Richmond from North Carolina, where she taught for more than 10 years. She also had taught at a private school in Cyprus after a two-year tour in the Peace Corps.

“Ms. Neumann has taken many courses and attended workshops and conferences in which she has advanced her knowledge and skills in the area of environmental education … and then gets her high school students actively involved in environment-oriented projects,” said Dr. Melinda Wilder, director of EKU’s Division of Natural Areas.

She also demonstrates her dedication to environment education by sponsoring the Envirothon and the Community Problem Solving Team, two extracurricular events that help students become interested and involved in environmental issues, Wilder said.

The Envirothon team placed third in the state this past year.

“The reason I think I won is because I did a lot of work with my students,” Neumann said. “I think (the team) really impressed people because we’ve only done it for two years. Most of these teams have been practicing for a long time.”

The Community Problem Solving Team, which focused on the problems associated with mountaintop removal, also placed third in international competition at Fort Collins, Colo., this past summer.

“Ms. Neumann epitomizes conservation,” said Model Lab colleague Dr. Jackie Vance. “Teaching students about the environment, conservation and the interaction of life forces on everything around us is not a curriculum exercise for her. It is her life work.”

Neumann taught a unit last year that allowed students to examine various views about the relationship between human action and climate change.

“I was amazed by the interest and passion most students exhibited when looking at the future of their planet,” she said. “No matter their political views or opinion on human impact on the environment, most were interested in developing a more environmentally friendly, sustainable lifestyle.”

Neumann said she is fortunate to have incredible support from many of the EKU professors, including Wilder and Drs. Alice Jones and Stephen Richter.

“This support has enabled me to offer my students many opportunities to be involved in environmental community outreach, such as planting trees and improving riparian zones, as well as promoting efforts to monitor water quality and proper waste management,” she said.

Bryan Marshall can be reached at bmarshall@richmondregister.com or 624-6691.