EECP 24-25 - EDC-X732X

Course Description

Credit Validation for AEOE Participants Only

The Environmental Educator Certification Program (EECP) recognizes experienced environmental educators for their skills and contributions to the field and draws together stewards and educators of the environment into a structured and effective initiative. The EECP is an 11- month program in which environmental educators demonstrate their competency through group discussion, individual reflection, submission of assignments, and the completion and presentation of a community action project. Through participation in the certification program, educators expand their professional networks, make important connections across the state, and better understand the full spectrum of environmental education careers available. EECP is conducted online over Zoom and utilizes Canvas as its learning management platform.

Program Elements

• Cohort Participation: Each participant joins monthly calls, comprising approximately 25-30 members. The cohort meetings include check-ins, presentation of relevant material, breakout conversations, and group assignments. Meetings occur over Zoom.
• Engagement in Online Learning Community: Group discussions, chat, and digital submission of assignments.
• Completion of Independent & Group Assignments: Examples of assignments include reflections on articles and videos; evidence of completion of learning modules (e.g. online learning modules developed by NAAEE); an exploration of your bioregion; personal reflection on your practices related to social and emotional learning (SEL) and equitable and inclusive teaching practices; lesson plan review and submission; final community action project presentation planning, presentation, and report.
• Professional Development: For the 2023-2024 program year, AEOE is partnering with UCANR California Naturalist to offer an asynchronous, condensed version of their Climate Stewards Program to EECP participants. We are also partnering with Project WET to offer a professional development workshop for course participants.
• Final Community Action Project: The program culminates with a community action project that provides a summary of the skills and knowledge gained and positively impacts the candidate’s community. These projects will be presented at or around the spring statewide conference or in an online alternate format.
• Community Action Project Presentation: Attendance at the spring statewide conference attendance – at which community action projects are presented – is strongly encouraged; an online presentation alternative will be available. Conference scholarships are available for those who need tuition assistance.
• Mentorship: Each participant will be matched with a mentor in the field of EE with whom they will meet on a monthly basis virtually in small groups to set professional learning goals and discuss the culminating final community action project.

For more information, please visit AEOE Environmental Educator Certification Program

Learner Outcomes

• Demonstrate the skills and understandings outlined in Guidelines for Excellence in Environmental Education
• Describe the goals, theory, practice, and history of the field of environmental education
• Demonstrate the responsibilities associated with practicing environmental education
• Combine the fundamentals of high-quality education with the unique features of environmental education to design and implement effective instruction
• Enable learners to engage in open inquiry and investigation, especially when considering environmental issues that are controversial and require students to seriously reflect on their own and others’ perspectives
• Demonstrate a willingness to engage in reflective practice and collaborative discussion to further individual and collective knowledge and skills
• Demonstrate the knowledge, abilities, and commitment to make assessment and evaluation integral to instruction and programs

Course Details

Number of Units: 1.0 - 9.0 graduate level extension credit(s) in semester hours. Please choose desired units upon checkout.

Who Should Attend: This course provides continuing education for environmental educators in any setting (classroom teachers, early childhood educators, nature-based instructors, educators in informal and informal settings)

Applies Towards the Following Certificate(s), Professional Programs and Series

• Online Credit Validation Courses for Educators : Courses - Choose One or More